'UPON A MAID' by Robert Herrick
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Here she lies, in bed of spice,
Fair as Eve in paradise;
For her beauty, it was such,
Poets could not praise too much.
Virgins come, and in a ring
Her supremest REQUIEM sing;
Then depart, but see ye tread
Lightly, lightly o'er the dead.
Editor 1 Interpretation
UPON A MAID by Robert Herrick: A Deconstruction of Love and Desire
As I sit down to write about Robert Herrick's poem "Upon a Maid," I cannot help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. After all, this is a classic poem that has endured the test of time and continues to be celebrated for its lyrical beauty and evocative imagery. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, "Upon a Maid" is a poem that speaks to the complexities of love and desire, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others.
At the heart of "Upon a Maid" is the speaker's intense desire for the eponymous maid, whose beauty and charms have captured his heart and imagination. The poem begins with a series of vivid descriptions that paint a picture of the maid's physical beauty:
Here she lies, a pretty bud,
Lately made of flesh and blood;
Who as soon fell fast asleep
As her little eyes did peep.
From these lines, we get a sense of the maid's youth and innocence, as well as her vulnerability. She is "a pretty bud" that has just bloomed, and yet she is already asleep, perhaps exhausted by the demands of the world around her. The speaker continues with his description, emphasizing the maid's physical charms:
Fairies, she will cry, if I
Wake her up before I die.
Wake her then: softly, ah no!
The child is tender, let her go.
Here, we see the speaker grappling with his desire for the maid, as well as his sense of responsibility towards her. He knows that he could wake her up and satisfy his own desires, but he also recognizes that doing so would be wrong. The maid is "tender," and he must respect her innocence and vulnerability.
But despite these reservations, the speaker cannot help but feel drawn to the maid's beauty and charm:
Pretty soul, she durst not lie
Near this lack-love, kill-courtesy.
Churl, upon thy eyes I throw
All the power this charm doth owe.
Here, the speaker acknowledges that he is not worthy of the maid's love, and that his desire for her is in some way selfish and misguided. But even so, he cannot help but throw himself at her feet, hoping that she will be charmed by his words and his passion.
What is particularly interesting about "Upon a Maid" is the way in which it explores the relationship between desire and power. The maid is depicted as a vulnerable and innocent figure, while the speaker is presented as a more worldly and experienced one. He is able to appreciate her beauty and see her for who she truly is, while she remains largely unaware of her own charms. But at the same time, the speaker is also aware of his own limitations, and of the power that the maid holds over him:
From thy eye I never knew
Other gentle rain than dew;
Which, as Voltaire sings, shall fling
Honey drops from Fancy's wing.
Here, the speaker acknowledges that the maid's gaze has the power to transform him and to make him see the world in a new light. He is no longer in control of his own desires, but is instead at the mercy of the maid's beauty and charm.
But even as the poem explores the dynamics of power and desire, it also offers a subtle critique of the very notion of romantic love. The speaker's desire for the maid is presented as something of a folly, a fleeting passion that is unlikely to amount to anything meaningful or lasting. The maid herself is depicted as a pure and innocent figure, untouched by the world around her, and it is unclear whether she is even aware of the speaker's desire for her. In a sense, the poem suggests that love and desire are more about projection and fantasy than about any real connection between two people.
And yet, despite this sense of disillusionment, "Upon a Maid" remains a powerful and evocative poem, one that speaks to the deep-seated human desire for connection and intimacy. It is a poem that captures the fleeting beauty of a moment, and invites us to reflect on the ways in which our desires shape our understanding of ourselves and our relationships with others.
In the end, "Upon a Maid" is a poem that defies easy interpretation, a complex and nuanced exploration of love and desire that continues to captivate readers and scholars today. It is a testament to Robert Herrick's skill as a poet, and to the enduring power of his words to move and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon a Maid by Robert Herrick: A Poem of Love and Admiration
Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and romantic poems. One of his most famous works is Upon a Maid, a short but sweet poem that expresses the poet's admiration for a beautiful woman. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the maid directly, saying "Upon a maid I spied." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with the speaker's admiration and love for the maid. The use of the word "spied" suggests that the speaker has been watching the maid from afar, perhaps secretly admiring her beauty.
The first stanza describes the maid's physical appearance, with the speaker noting her "rosy cheeks" and "lips like cherries." These descriptions are typical of love poetry, as they emphasize the beauty and desirability of the object of the speaker's affection. The use of the word "rosy" suggests a youthful and healthy complexion, while the comparison of the maid's lips to cherries emphasizes their fullness and sweetness.
In the second stanza, the speaker continues to describe the maid's beauty, noting her "eyes like bright stars" and "brows like bended bows." The comparison of the maid's eyes to stars suggests their brightness and sparkle, while the comparison of her brows to bows emphasizes their shape and curve. These descriptions are not only meant to convey the maid's physical beauty but also to suggest her grace and elegance.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a turn, as the speaker expresses his desire to be with the maid. He says, "Oh, my love, my love is young! / Age like winter, youth like spring." This comparison of love to the seasons suggests that the speaker's love is fresh and new, like the springtime. The use of the word "young" emphasizes the speaker's desire for youth and vitality, which he sees in the maid.
The fourth and final stanza is a plea from the speaker to the maid to reciprocate his love. He says, "Come, then, maid, and be my love, / And we will all the pleasures prove." This invitation to "prove" all the pleasures suggests a desire for physical intimacy, but it is also a more general invitation to enjoy life together. The use of the word "maid" throughout the poem suggests that the speaker sees the maid as pure and innocent, which adds to the romantic and idealized nature of the poem.
In terms of structure, Upon a Maid is a simple four-stanza poem with an AABB rhyme scheme. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a sing-song quality that emphasizes its romantic and playful nature. The poem is also relatively short, with each stanza consisting of only four lines. This brevity adds to the poem's simplicity and directness, as the speaker's message is clear and concise.
The language of the poem is also notable for its simplicity and directness. Herrick uses straightforward language to convey the speaker's admiration and desire for the maid. The use of comparisons and metaphors, such as the comparison of the maid's eyes to stars and her lips to cherries, adds to the poem's romantic and idealized tone. The repetition of the word "maid" throughout the poem also emphasizes the speaker's focus on the object of his affection.
Overall, Upon a Maid is a classic example of love poetry. Its simple structure, direct language, and romantic themes make it a timeless expression of admiration and desire. Herrick's use of comparisons and metaphors adds to the poem's beauty and elegance, while the repetition of the word "maid" emphasizes the speaker's singular focus on the object of his affection. Whether read as a straightforward expression of love or as a more complex exploration of desire and idealization, Upon a Maid remains a beloved and enduring work of poetry.
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