'AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR' by Robert Herrick
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
In numbers, and but these few,
I sing thy birth, oh JESU!
Thou pretty Baby, born here,
With sup'rabundant scorn here;
Who for thy princely port here,
Hadst for thy place
Of birth, a base
Out-stable for thy court here.
Instead of neat enclosures
Of interwoven osiers;
Instead of fragrant posies
Of daffadils and roses,
Thy cradle, kingly stranger,
As gospel tells,
Was nothing else,
But, here, a homely manger.
But we with silks, not cruels,
With sundry precious jewels,
And lily-work will dress thee;
And as we dispossess thee
Of clo}ts, we'll make a chamber,
Sweet babe, for thee,
Of ivory,
And plaster'd round with amber.
The Jews, they did disdain thee;
But we will entertain thee
With glories to await here,
Upon thy princely state here,
And more for love than pity:
From year to year
We'll make thee, here,
A free-born of our city.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Ode of the Birth of Our Saviour by Robert Herrick: A Masterpiece of Religious Poetry
When one thinks of religious poetry, the names of John Donne, George Herbert, and Gerard Manley Hopkins come to mind. However, the name of Robert Herrick is not usually associated with this genre. Herrick is better known for his secular poetry, especially his carpe diem poems. But Herrick was also a priest in the Church of England, and he wrote some of the most beautiful and moving religious poetry of the seventeenth century. One of his finest poems is "An Ode of the Birth of Our Saviour," a masterpiece of devotional poetry that deserves to be better known and appreciated.
The Structure and Form of the Poem
The poem is a hymn in praise of the birth of Jesus Christ. It consists of thirteen stanzas of four lines each, with the rhyme scheme ABAB. The first two lines of each stanza are written in iambic tetrameter, while the last two lines are in iambic trimeter. The poem is thus written in common meter, the same meter used in many hymns and ballads. This gives the poem a simple, musical quality that makes it easy to remember and recite.
The first stanza sets the tone and theme of the poem:
Welcome, all wonders in one sight,
Astonishment at this delight!
What means this stir in Jewish hearts?
What means these strange and new desarts?
The poet greets the birth of Jesus as a wonder and an astonishment, and asks what it means for the Jewish people and for the world. The poem then proceeds to answer this question by describing the significance of the Nativity.
The Imagery and Language of the Poem
Herrick's poem is remarkable for its imagery and language. The poet uses a rich and varied vocabulary, with many archaic and biblical words, to create a sense of wonder and awe. He also uses a wide range of metaphors and similes to describe the Nativity. For example, in stanza three, he compares the birth of Jesus to the rising of the sun:
'Tis the midnight of the year,
And 'tis the day's Nativity;
Sweet flows the news from the heavenly quire,
'Midst kings and shepherds, and in humblest bower.
Here, Herrick evokes the image of the sun rising at midnight, a rare and wondrous sight. He also describes the news of the birth of Jesus as "sweet," emphasizing its joy and beauty.
In stanza six, Herrick uses another metaphor, comparing the shepherds who witnessed the Nativity to the ancient Israelites who followed the pillar of fire in the wilderness:
While the bright star, which ushers in the day,
Shows that the King is come, and brings us day;
To God this day our solemn thanks we pay,
Who hath bestowed on us His own bright ray;
While thus we lead the shepherds on their way,
And in our straw-laid manger pour our lay;
Their flocks we leave secure, and thither hie,
Where, after pipe and dance, we'll sing and cry.
Here, the bright star that led the shepherds to the stable is compared to the pillar of fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness. The poet also emphasizes the joy and celebration that accompanied the Nativity, with the shepherds singing and dancing after their visit to the manger.
The poem is also notable for its use of alliteration, assonance, and repetition, which give it a musical and rhythmic quality. For example, in stanza nine, Herrick uses alliteration and repetition to emphasize the humility and poverty of the Holy Family:
The manger and the swadling bands
Proclaim Him poor who now commands;
Upon whose government, and peace
The angels' song and shepherds' cease.
Here, the repetition of the "m" sound in "manger," "swadling," and "commands" emphasizes the poverty and lowliness of the birth of Jesus. The repetition of "g" in "government" and "song" creates a sense of harmony and balance.
The Message and Meaning of the Poem
The central message of the poem is that the birth of Jesus Christ is a wondrous and miraculous event that brings joy and hope to the world. Herrick emphasizes the humility and poverty of the Holy Family, as well as the joy and wonder of the shepherds who witnessed the Nativity. He also emphasizes the role of the angels, who proclaim the birth of Jesus and sing praises to God.
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses biblical and religious imagery to describe the Nativity. He compares Jesus to the Sun of Righteousness, the King of kings, and the Savior of the world. He also emphasizes the themes of light and darkness, as well as the contrast between the rich and the poor.
But the poem is not just a celebration of the birth of Jesus. It is also a call to action for Christians. Herrick reminds his readers that the birth of Jesus should inspire them to live lives of humility, compassion, and love. He also reminds them that the message of the Nativity is for everyone, regardless of their station in life:
No loftie cedar, nor sauory pine,
Nor branche of firre, nor palme divine,
Nor furrow'd leaves, nor mistletoe,
Nor honie-bags, nor nightes of snow,
Here, Herrick emphasizes that the message of the Nativity is not for the rich and powerful, but for all people, even the lowliest and poorest.
Conclusion
"An Ode of the Birth of Our Saviour" is a masterpiece of religious poetry that deserves to be better known and appreciated. Robert Herrick's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a sense of wonder and awe, while his message of humility, compassion, and love remains relevant and inspiring today. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and to remind us of the beauty and mystery of the divine.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
AN ODE OF THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOUR: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, clarity, and musicality. One of his most celebrated poems is "An Ode of the Birth of Our Saviour," which is a beautiful tribute to the birth of Jesus Christ.
The poem is written in the form of an ode, which is a type of lyric poem that is characterized by its formal structure and elevated language. Odes are usually written in praise of a person, place, or thing, and they often have a celebratory tone. Herrick's ode is no exception, as it celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, the savior of the world.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which means that the first four lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the last two lines rhyme with each other. This gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize the importance of the words.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the birth of Jesus Christ. Herrick describes the night as being "all calm and still," which creates a sense of peace and tranquility. He also mentions the "shepherds on the hill," who are watching over their flocks. This is a reference to the biblical story of the shepherds who were visited by angels and told of the birth of Jesus Christ. Herrick's use of this imagery helps to create a sense of wonder and awe, as the reader is transported back to the time of the birth of Christ.
The second stanza of the poem focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ. Herrick describes how "the virgin mother" gave birth to "the holy child," who is "the world's redeemer." This is a reference to the Christian belief that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and that he came to save the world from sin. Herrick's use of these religious themes helps to emphasize the importance of the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance for humanity.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Herrick urges his readers to "come, come, and see the babe" and to "bring your offerings." This is a reference to the biblical story of the wise men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. Herrick's use of this imagery helps to emphasize the idea that the birth of Jesus Christ is a time for celebration and giving.
Overall, "An Ode of the Birth of Our Saviour" is a beautiful tribute to the birth of Jesus Christ. Herrick's use of imagery, rhyme, and language helps to create a sense of wonder and awe, as the reader is transported back to the time of the birth of Christ. The poem is a celebration of the Christian faith and a call to action for all believers to come and see the baby Jesus and to bring their offerings. It is a masterpiece of English poetry and a testament to the enduring power of the Christmas story.
Editor Recommended Sites
Gan Art: GAN art guideCloud Simulation - Digital Twins & Optimization Network Flows: Simulate your business in the cloud with optimization tools and ontology reasoning graphs. Palantir alternative
Crypto Gig - Crypto remote contract jobs: Find remote contract jobs for crypto smart contract development, security, audit and custody
Crypto Staking - Highest yielding coins & Staking comparison and options: Find the highest yielding coin staking available for alts, from only the best coins
Fantasy Games - Highest Rated Fantasy RPGs & Top Ranking Fantasy Games: The highest rated best top fantasy games
Recommended Similar Analysis
Up At A Villa- Down In The City by Robert Browning analysisOne Way Of Love by Robert Browning analysis
The Nymph's Reply by Sir Walter Ralegh analysis
A Forgetful Number by Vasko Popa analysis
Sounds of grief by Sappho analysis
The Runner by Walt Whitman analysis
GRACE FOR A CHILD by Robert Herrick analysis
Time 's Revenges by Robert Browning analysis
Well, I Have Lost You by Edna St. Vincent Millay analysis
There Was A Child Went Forth by Walt Whitman analysis