'To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything' by Robert Herrick
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Bid me to live, and I will live
Thy Protestant to be;
Or bid me love, and I will give
A loving heart to thee.
A heart as soft, a heart as kind,
A heart as sound and free,
As in the whole world thou canst find,
That heart I'll give to thee.
Bid that heart stay, and it will stay,
To honour thy decree;
Or bid it languish quite away,
And 't shall do so for thee.
Bid me to weep, and I will weep
While I have eyes to see;
And having none, yet I will keep
A heart to weep for thee.
Bid me despair, and I'll despair
Under that cypress-tree;
Or bid me die, and I will dare
E'en death to die for thee.
Thou art my life, my love, my heart,
The very eyes of me;
And hast command of every part
To live and die for thee.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Rhapsody on Robert Herrick's "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything"
Oh, Robert Herrick! What a poet! His "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of love, devotion, and obedience. The poem, published in 1648, is a sonnet that speaks of a man's love for a woman who has the power to command him to do anything. It is a poem that has been discussed, analyzed, and appreciated by literary critics for centuries. And now, I too shall attempt to delve into its depths.
A Brief Overview
The poem is divided into two stanzas, each consisting of seven lines. The rhyme scheme is ababbcc. The poem is addressed to Anthea, who is personified as a queen, a goddess, and a mistress. The speaker, who is unnamed but is assumed to be Herrick himself, pledges his allegiance and love to Anthea, declaring that she has the power to command him to do anything. The poem is filled with imagery, metaphors, and allusions that paint a vivid picture of the speaker's emotions.
The First Stanza
The poem begins with a declaration of love. The first line, "Bid me to live, and I will live" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is willing to do anything for Anthea, even if it means giving up his life. The second line, "Thy Protestant to be," is a reference to the religious divide in England at the time. It indicates that Anthea is a Protestant, and the speaker is willing to convert to her religion for her sake.
The speaker then goes on to describe the various tasks that he is willing to undertake for Anthea. He will "change that name" if she wishes, indicating that he is willing to give up his identity for her. He will "bedeck thee with change of raiment," which is a metaphor for adorning her with love and affection. He will even "give thee all their laws in thy heart," indicating that he is willing to give up his personal beliefs and follow her lead.
The final line of the stanza, "A servant, then, or a king's messenger," is a powerful metaphor. It indicates that the speaker is willing to be anything that Anthea wants him to be. He is willing to be a servant, a messenger, or even a king, just to please her.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza begins with a rhetorical question, "Why should thy fair eyes with such sovereign grace," which is a reference to Anthea's beauty and power. The speaker is in awe of her and wonders why she has such a hold over him. He then goes on to describe how her "sweet and gracious words" have bound him to her. The metaphor of being "enslaved" by her words is a powerful image that speaks to the overwhelming power of love.
The final lines of the poem are a declaration of the speaker's love for Anthea. He pledges his heart, soul, and body to her, declaring that she has the power to command him to do anything. The final line of the poem, "Only command me to be yours," is a powerful statement that encapsulates the entire poem. The speaker is willing to do anything for Anthea, as long as she accepts him as her own.
The Themes of the Poem
There are several themes that run through "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything." The most prominent theme is love, devotion, and obedience. The speaker is deeply in love with Anthea and is willing to do anything to please her. He is devoted to her and is obedient to her every command. The power dynamic between the two is clear, with Anthea assuming a dominant role and the speaker assuming a submissive role.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of sacrifice. The speaker is willing to give up his life, his identity, and his beliefs for Anthea. He is willing to sacrifice everything for her love. This speaks to the power of love and the lengths that people will go to please their beloved.
Finally, the poem also touches on the theme of religious division in England at the time. The reference to Anthea being a Protestant, and the speaker being willing to convert to her religion, speaks to the religious tensions of the time. It also indicates that love transcends religious differences and that people are willing to compromise for the sake of love.
Conclusion
"To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love, devotion, and obedience. The poem is a declaration of the speaker's love for Anthea, and his willingness to do anything for her. The themes of sacrifice, religious division, and the power dynamic between the two are woven seamlessly into the poem, creating a powerful and emotional work of art. Herrick's use of imagery, metaphors, and allusions adds depth and richness to the poem, making it a timeless classic that is still relevant today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything: A Poem of Love and Devotion
Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and romantic poetry. His poem "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. In this poem, Herrick addresses his beloved Anthea, expressing his willingness to do anything for her. The poem is a celebration of love and the power it holds over us.
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, with four beats per line. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG, which gives the poem a musical quality. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each containing four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Herrick declaring his love for Anthea and his willingness to do anything for her.
"Bid me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be; Or bid me love, and I will give A loving heart to thee."
In these lines, Herrick is saying that he is willing to do anything for Anthea, even if it means changing his religion or giving her his heart. He is completely devoted to her and will do whatever she asks of him.
The second stanza continues the theme of devotion, with Herrick saying that he will follow Anthea wherever she goes.
"A heart as soft, a heart as kind, A heart as sound and free As in the whole world thou canst find, That heart I'll give to thee."
Herrick is saying that his heart is as soft, kind, and free as any heart in the world, and he is willing to give it to Anthea. He is completely devoted to her and will do anything to make her happy.
The third stanza is a bit more playful, with Herrick saying that he will do anything Anthea asks of him, even if it means doing something foolish.
"Say that thou wilt be true to me, And I will be to thee; But if thou wilt not, then be Nothing to me."
Herrick is saying that if Anthea is true to him, he will be true to her, but if she is not, then he wants nothing to do with her. He is willing to do anything for her, but he also expects her to be true to him.
The final stanza is a beautiful expression of love, with Herrick saying that he loves Anthea more than anything in the world.
"But if thou wilt not, then be Nothing to me. Yet if thou wilt, let love command What e'er I write or do; And I will kiss thy dewy hand, If thou wilt love me too."
Herrick is saying that if Anthea loves him, he will do anything she asks of him. He will write poetry, sing songs, or do anything else to show his love for her. He is completely devoted to her and will do anything to make her happy.
In conclusion, "To Anthea, Who May Command Him Anything" is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. Herrick's poem is a celebration of love and the power it holds over us. He is completely devoted to Anthea and is willing to do anything for her. The poem is a reminder that love is a powerful force that can make us do things we never thought possible. Herrick's poem is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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