'Summons To Love' by William Drummond
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Phoebus, arise!
And paint the sable skies
With azure, white, and red:
Rouse Memnon's mother from her Tithon's bed
That she may thy career with roses spread:
The nightingales thy coming each-where sing:
Make an eternal spring!
Give life to this dark world which lieth dead;
Spread forth thy golden hair
In larger locks than thou wast wont before,
And emperor-like decore
With diadem of pearl thy temples fair:
Chase hence the ugly night
Which serves but to make dear thy glorious light.
This is that happy morn,
That day, long-wished day,
Of all my life so dark,
(If cruel stars have not my ruin sworn,
And fates my hopes betray),
Which, purely white, deserves
An everlasting diamond should it mark.
This is the morn should bring unto this grove
My Love, to hear and recompense my love.
Fair King, who all preserves,
But show thy blushing beams
And thou two sweeter eyes
Shalt see than those which by Peneus' streams
Did once thy heart surprise.
Now, Flora, deck thyself in fairest guise:
If that ye winds would hear
A voice surpassing far Amphion's lyre,
Your furious chiding stay;
Let Zephyr only breathe,
And with her tresses play.
The winds all silent are,
And Phoebus in his chair
Ensaffroning sea and air
Makes vanish every star:
Night like a drunkard reels
Beyond the hills, to shun his flaming wheels:
The fields with flowers are decked in every hue,
The clouds with orient gold spangle their blue;
Here is the pleasant place,
And nothing wanting is, save She, alas!
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Summons To Love" by William Drummond: A Journey Through Love and Self-Discovery
When it comes to love and poetry, William Drummond's "Summons To Love" stands as a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate readers even after four centuries since its creation. This literary criticism and interpretation seeks to explore the poem's themes, language, form, and significance in the context of its time and beyond.
Context and Background
William Drummond (1585–1649) was a Scottish poet and scholar who lived during the Renaissance era, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical literature, humanism, and the arts. He wrote numerous poems and sonnets, but "Summons To Love" remains one of his most famous works. The poem was first published in 1616 in a collection titled "Polemo-Middinia" and later in "Poems by William Drummond" in 1656.
The poem's title itself suggests a call to action, a beckoning to love. But what kind of love does Drummond refer to? Is it the romantic love between two individuals, the love for God, or the love for oneself? These are some of the questions that this interpretation seeks to answer.
Themes
Love is a complex and multifaceted theme that can be interpreted in various ways. In "Summons To Love," Drummond explores several aspects of love, including its power, its universality, its vulnerability, and its transformative nature.
One of the central themes of the poem is the power of love to conquer all. Drummond personifies love as a mighty king who reigns over all other passions and emotions. He describes love as "the king of kings, / The richest gem that the earth inherits" (lines 1-2). This imagery highlights the supremacy of love over material possessions and worldly desires. Love is not just an emotion but a force that can transcend all boundaries and bring people together.
Another theme that resonates throughout the poem is the universality of love. Drummond portrays love as a universal language that transcends cultural and social differences. He invites all people, regardless of their background or status, to embrace love:
Let all the world, from the east to the west,
From the north to the south, be thus possessed. (lines 3-4)
This inclusive language suggests that love is not restricted to certain groups or individuals but is available to everyone who seeks it.
The vulnerability of love is another recurring theme in the poem. Drummond acknowledges that love can be fragile and easily wounded. He warns that those who reject love, or treat it with indifference, run the risk of losing it forever. He writes:
O love, that stronger art than wine or hate,
Lest I should die, help me to mollify
My mistress' heart, that she may favour me.
Thou canst do much, for thou art sovereign
Over affection, and against disdain
Is not thy might as only artillery? (lines 17-22)
These lines suggest that love is not invincible but requires care, attention, and reciprocity to flourish.
Finally, the transformative nature of love is a crucial theme in the poem. Drummond suggests that love has the power to change people for the better. He writes:
O love, that in time past didst me embrace,
Teach me anew how to thy yoke to bow,
Since thy sway doth far my soul appal
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight? (lines 25-28)
These lines imply that love can open our hearts and minds to new experiences, perspectives, and emotions. By embracing love, we can learn to see the world in a new light and become better versions of ourselves.
Language
Drummond's use of language in "Summons To Love" is both lyrical and philosophical. He employs a range of poetic devices, such as alliteration, rhyme, and metaphor, to create a musical and memorable poem.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of personification. Drummond personifies love as a powerful king who commands respect and admiration. This imagery reinforces the idea that love is not just an emotion but a force to be reckoned with.
The use of rhetorical questions is another notable aspect of the poem's language. Drummond poses several questions to his readers, such as "Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?" (line 28) and "Who is so bold but says he would be glad, / To be that shepherd, who first found out love?" (lines 33-34). These questions engage the reader and encourage them to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs about love.
Another feature of the poem is its use of paradoxical language. Drummond describes love as both strong and weak, gentle and fierce, humble and proud. These contradictions reflect the complexity and diversity of love and suggest that it cannot be simplified or reduced to a single definition.
Form
"Summons To Love" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two lines).
The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This pattern creates a sense of balance and symmetry, which reinforces the idea that love is a harmonious force that brings people together.
The poem's meter is predominantly iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern that consists of ten syllables per line with a stress on every other syllable. This meter creates a musical and flowing rhythm that enhances the poem's lyrical quality.
Significance
"Summons To Love" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, power, universality, vulnerability, and transformation are universal and timeless. The poem's language and form also contribute to its enduring appeal.
Drummond's use of personification, rhetorical questions, and paradoxical language create a memorable and thought-provoking poem that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and beliefs about love.
In conclusion, "Summons To Love" is a masterpiece of Renaissance poetry that continues to inspire and captivate readers. Its themes, language, and form are a testament to Drummond's skill and artistry as a poet. Whether read for its aesthetic beauty or its philosophical depth, the poem remains a testament to the enduring power of love.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Summons To Love: An Analysis of William Drummond’s Classic Poem
William Drummond’s Summons To Love is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that explores the theme of love in a unique and profound way. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s structure, language, and meaning to gain a deeper understanding of its significance.
Structure
Summons To Love is a sonnet, a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. The poem is divided into two quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a sestet (six-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which means that the first and third lines of each quatrain rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines. The sestet follows a different rhyme scheme, with the first, third, and fifth lines rhyming, and the second, fourth, and sixth lines rhyming.
The meter of the poem is iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables, with the stress falling on every other syllable. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that adds to its beauty.
Language
Drummond’s use of language in Summons To Love is masterful. He employs a variety of literary devices to convey his message and create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of personification. Love is personified as a powerful force that can control and transform the human heart. The speaker addresses Love as if it were a person, urging it to come and take control:
“Come, gentle Love, let me be thy prisoner, In thy sweet tyranny I find my pleasure; And since thy sovereign mercy is the treasure, Let me be still enamoured of thy power.”
The use of the word “tyranny” is particularly interesting, as it suggests that love can be both sweet and oppressive. The speaker is willing to be Love’s prisoner, to submit to its power, but also acknowledges that this power can be overwhelming.
Another literary device used in the poem is imagery. Drummond creates a vivid picture of the speaker’s emotions and desires through his use of imagery. For example, in the second quatrain, he compares the speaker’s heart to a “wild bird” that is “tamed by gentle eyes.” This metaphor conveys the idea that love can tame even the wildest of hearts, and that the speaker is willing to be tamed by Love’s gentle gaze.
Meaning
At its core, Summons To Love is a poem about the transformative power of love. The speaker is calling on Love to come and take control of his heart, to transform him into a better person. He acknowledges that love can be both sweet and oppressive, but is willing to submit to its power in order to experience its transformative effects.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the nature of love itself. Love is portrayed as a force that is both powerful and unpredictable, capable of both sweet pleasure and oppressive tyranny. The speaker is willing to take the risk of submitting to Love’s power, knowing that it may not always be easy or pleasant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Summons To Love is a beautiful and timeless poem that explores the theme of love in a unique and profound way. Drummond’s use of language and literary devices creates a vivid image of the speaker’s emotions and desires, while the poem’s structure and meter give it a rhythmic and musical quality. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the transformative power of love, and a commentary on the nature of love itself. It is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience.
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