'Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London' by Katherine Philips


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Adieu dear object of my Love's excess,
And with thee all my hopes of happiness,
With the same fervent and unchanged heart
Which did it's whole self once to thee impart,
(And which though fortune has so sorely bruis'd,
Would suffer more, to be from this excus'd)
I to resign thy dear Converse submit,
Since I can neither keep, nor merit it.
Thou hast too long to me confined been,
Who ruine am without, passion within.
My mind is sunk below thy tenderness,
And my condition does deserve it less;
I'm so entangl'd and so lost a thing
By all the shocks my daily sorrow bring,
That would'st thou for thy old Orinda call
Thou hardly could'st unravel her at all.
And should I thy clear fortunes interline
With the incessant miseries of mine?
No, no, I never lov'd at such a rate
To tye thee to the rigours of my fate,
As from my obligations thou art free,
Sure thou shalt be so from my Injury,
Though every other worthiness I miss,
Yet I'le at least be generous in this.
I'd rather perish without sigh or groan,
Then thou shoul'dst be condemn'd to give me one;
Nay in my soul I rather could allow
Friendship should be a sufferer, then thou;
Go then, since my sad heart has set thee free,
Let all the loads and chains remain on me.
Though I be left the prey of sea and wind,
Thou being happy wilt in that be kind;
Nor shall I my undoing much deplore,
Since thou art safe, whom I must value more.
Oh! mayst thou ever be so, and as free
From all ills else, as from my company,
And may the torments thou hast had from it
Be all that heaven will to thy life permit.
And that they may thy vertue service do,
Mayest thou be able to forgive them too:
But though I must this sharp submission learn,
I cannot yet unwish thy dear concern.
Not one new comfort I expect to see,
I quit my Joy, hope, life, and all but thee;
Nor seek I thence ought that may discompose
That mind where so serene a goodness grows.
I ask no inconvenient kindness now,
To move thy passion, or to cloud thy brow;
And thou wilt satisfie my boldest plea
By some few soft remembrances of me, [50]
Which may present thee with this candid thought,
I meant not all the troubles that I brought.
Own not what Passion rules, and Fate does crush,
But wish thou couldst have don't without a blush,
And that I had been, ere it was too late,
Either more worthy, or more fortunate.
Ah who can love the thing they cannot prize?
But thou mayst pity though thou dost despise.
Yet I should think that pity bought too dear,
If it should cost those precious Eyes a tear.

Oh may no minutes trouble, thee possess,
But to endear the next hours happiness;
And maist thou when thou art from me remov'd,
Be better pleas'd, but never worse belov'd:
Oh pardon me for pow'ring out my woes
In Rhime now, that I dare not do't in Prose.
For I must lose whatever is call'd dear,
And thy assistance all that loss to bear,
And have more cause than ere I had before,
To fear that I shall never see thee more.


Anonymous Submission

Editor 1 Interpretation

An Ode to Friendship: A Literary Critique of Katherine Philips' Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London

Katherine Philips, also known as "The Matchless Orinda," was a prominent female poet during the 17th century. Her works were celebrated for their wit, subtlety, and emotional depth, which made her an influential figure among her peers. One of her most famous poems, Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London, exudes the emotions of parting, friendship, and love. In this literary critique, we will delve into the nuances of this poem, its literary elements, and its significance in the literary canon.

Background

Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London is a poem that speaks of the departure of a friend, Lucasia, from London. The poem is made up of four stanzas, each consisting of five lines. Philips wrote this poem during a time when she was experiencing multiple departures from friends and acquaintances. This poem, however, is not just a lamentation of a friend leaving; it is also a tribute to the power of friendship and the bond that exists between true friends.

Literary Elements

Rhyme Scheme

The poem's rhyme scheme is ABABA, which is a simple yet effective way of making the poem flow. It gives the poem a sense of musicality and rhythm that is easy on the ears.

Metaphors

Philips uses metaphors throughout the poem to express her feelings. In the first stanza, she compares the leaving friend to a ship that is setting sail. The metaphor creates a sense of distance and finality that is associated with a ship leaving port. In the second stanza, she compares the leaves that are falling from the trees to tears that are being shed. This metaphor creates a visual image that is both beautiful and melancholic.

Personification

Another literary element that Philips uses in the poem is personification. In the third stanza, she personifies time, describing it as a thief that steals away happy moments. This creates a sense of urgency and helps to convey the sadness that the poet feels about the departing friend.

Imagery

Philips uses imagery to create vivid visual scenes in the poem. In the third stanza, for example, she describes the autumn leaves falling from the trees. This creates a beautiful visual image that is both peaceful and sad.

Themes

Friendship

The most prominent theme in the poem is friendship. The poem celebrates the bond that exists between true friends and the sadness that comes with their departure. Philips uses the metaphor of a ship leaving port to describe the departure of the friend, which creates a sense of finality and loss.

Love

The poem also touches on the theme of love. The love that the poet feels for her departing friend is evident in the language that she uses throughout the poem. The metaphor of leaves falling as tears being shed is a poignant example of the deep emotions that the poet is feeling.

Time

Another theme that is present in the poem is time. Philips personifies time as a thief that steals away happy moments. This creates a sense of urgency and sadness, as the poet realizes that time is fleeting and that the happy moments that she has shared with her friend are now in the past.

Significance

Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London is significant for several reasons. First, it is an example of the power of friendship and the bond that exists between true friends. The poem celebrates the love that the poet feels for her friend and the sadness that comes with their departure. This is a theme that is timeless and that resonates with readers even today.

Second, the poem is significant because it is an example of the work of a female poet during the 17th century. Philips was one of the few female poets of her time who was able to achieve success and recognition in a male-dominated field. Her work paved the way for future female writers, who would go on to make important contributions to the literary canon.

Finally, the poem is significant because of its use of literary elements. Philips uses metaphors, personification, and imagery to create a powerful and emotional poem that is both beautiful and thought-provoking.

Conclusion

Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London is a beautiful and poignant poem that celebrates the power of friendship and love. Philips' use of literary elements such as metaphors, personification, and imagery creates a powerful and emotional poem that resonates with readers even today. The poem is significant not only for its literary merits but also for the contribution that it has made to the literary canon and the role that it has played in paving the way for future female writers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Katherine Philips, also known as "The Matchless Orinda," was a prominent poet in the 17th century. Her poem, "Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London," is a classic piece that has stood the test of time. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

The poem is a farewell message from Orinda to her friend Lucasia, who is leaving London. The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the two friends, with Orinda expressing her sadness at the impending departure of Lucasia. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and theme.

The first stanza is a lamentation of the impending separation. Orinda expresses her sadness at the thought of Lucasia leaving and how much she will miss her. She talks about how much they have shared and how much she has learned from Lucasia. The stanza is filled with imagery that conveys the depth of Orinda's emotions. For example, she says, "My heart will sigh when thou art gone, / And the chill streams their courses run, / For then no more their fountains shall / Be warmed by thy sweet presence' call." Here, Orinda compares her heart to a sighing wind and the streams to her tears. The imagery is powerful and evokes a sense of loss and sadness.

The second stanza is a reflection on the nature of friendship. Orinda talks about how rare and precious true friendship is and how it is something that should be cherished. She says, "Friendship's a plant of noblest birth; / Of heavenly seed it is, divine; / It ever buds, it ever flowers, / And scorns the stormy blasts and showers." Here, Orinda compares friendship to a plant that is resilient and can withstand any adversity. The stanza is a celebration of the bond between Orinda and Lucasia and a reminder of how important it is to value and nurture such relationships.

The third and final stanza is a farewell message from Orinda to Lucasia. She tells her friend that she will always be in her thoughts and that their friendship will endure despite the distance between them. She says, "And though thou hast but three days' space / To fill with joy thy own embrace; / And wilt, ere long, resigned be / To thy cold northern destiny; / Thou mayst with pleasure think upon / The joys we have already known." Here, Orinda acknowledges the inevitability of Lucasia's departure but assures her that their friendship will remain strong. The stanza is a bittersweet farewell that captures the essence of the poem.

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with each line consisting of four stressed and four unstressed syllables. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, which gives the poem a sense of structure and rhythm. The use of rhyme and meter also adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it more memorable.

One of the most striking literary devices used in the poem is personification. Orinda personifies her heart, the streams, and friendship itself, giving them human qualities and emotions. For example, she says, "My heart will sigh when thou art gone," and "Friendship's a plant of noblest birth." This use of personification adds depth and complexity to the poem and makes it more relatable.

Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Orinda uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey her emotions and the themes of the poem. For example, she says, "And the chill streams their courses run," and "Friendship's a plant of noblest birth." The imagery is evocative and helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.

The poem is also notable for its use of symbolism. Orinda uses the image of a plant to symbolize friendship, and the image of a storm to symbolize adversity. These symbols add layers of meaning to the poem and make it more thought-provoking.

In conclusion, "Orinda To Lucasia Parting October 1661 At London" is a classic poem that explores the themes of friendship, loss, and resilience. The poem is structured as a dialogue between two friends, with Orinda expressing her sadness at the impending departure of Lucasia. The poem is notable for its use of personification, imagery, and symbolism, which add depth and complexity to the poem. The poem is a celebration of the bond between Orinda and Lucasia and a reminder of the importance of valuing and nurturing true friendships.

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