'UPON TIME' by Robert Herrick
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Time was upon
The wing, to fly away;
And I call'd on
Him but awhile to stay;
But he'd be gone,
For aught that I could say.
He held out then
A writing, as he went,
And ask'd me, when
False man would be content
To pay again
What God and Nature lent.
An hour-glass,
In which were sands but few,
As he did pass,
He shew'd,--and told me too
Mine end near was;--
And so away he flew.
Editor 1 Interpretation
UPON TIME by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick's "Upon Time" is a beautiful poem that delves deep into the concept of time and its fleeting nature. The poem is a meditation on the inevitability of change and how we must learn to embrace it. Herrick is a master of vivid imagery and emotion, and this poem is no exception. In this literary criticism, I will explore the themes of the poem and analyze the imagery and language that Herrick uses to convey his message.
Themes
The main theme of the poem is the fleeting nature of time. Herrick explores this theme by comparing time to various natural phenomena such as the changing seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, and the flow of a river. He emphasizes that just as these things are constantly changing and moving forward, so is time. He also highlights the idea that time is beyond our control and that we must learn to accept and appreciate its passing.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of mortality. Herrick acknowledges that time is constantly moving forward and that we are all constantly aging. He reminds us that our time on earth is limited and that we must make the most of it while we can.
Imagery
Herrick is a master of imagery, and he uses it to great effect in "Upon Time." He begins the poem by comparing time to the changing seasons:
Time's waters will not stay,
And I the while make haste to decay.
Here, the imagery of the changing seasons emphasizes the idea that time is constantly moving forward and that we cannot stop it.
Herrick then goes on to compare time to the rising and setting of the sun:
Time, thou art swift and goest
So swift, we scarce discern thee;
When thou art gone, we nothing know,
But as at first we met thee.
The imagery of the rising and setting sun emphasizes the cyclical nature of time and how it is always moving forward. It also highlights the idea that time is beyond our control and that we must learn to accept its passing.
Finally, Herrick compares time to the flow of a river:
But though we cannot stay
Thy swift, unruly course,
We'll keep thee in our sight
And hold thee by the force
Of our love, and so
Homeward then with thee we'll go.
The imagery of the river emphasizes the idea that time is constantly moving forward and that we must learn to go with the flow. It also highlights the importance of cherishing the time we have and making the most of it.
Language
Herrick's language in "Upon Time" is both beautiful and powerful. He uses a variety of poetic devices such as alliteration, repetition, and metaphor to convey his message. For example, he uses alliteration in the following lines:
And I the while make haste to decay.
The repetition of the "h" sound emphasizes the idea of decay and the passage of time.
Herrick also uses metaphor to great effect in the following lines:
Time, thou art swift and goest
So swift, we scarce discern thee;
Here, time is compared to a swift-moving object, emphasizing its fleeting nature and how quickly it passes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Upon Time" is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of the fleeting nature of time and our mortality. Herrick's use of vivid imagery and powerful language conveys his message in a way that is both moving and thought-provoking. The poem serves as a reminder that we must learn to accept and appreciate the passing of time and make the most of the time we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Upon Time: A Timeless Poem by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and wit. One of his most famous poems, Upon Time, is a meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Time is a feathered thing." This metaphorical description of time as a bird with feathers immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Feathers are light and delicate, and they can be easily blown away by the wind. Similarly, time is fleeting and ephemeral, and it can slip away from us without warning. The use of the word "feathered" also suggests that time is something that can be easily lifted or carried away, like a bird taking flight.
The second line of the poem reinforces this idea: "And, whilst I praise / The sparklings of thy looks and rays." Here, the speaker is addressing time directly, praising its beauty and brilliance. The "sparklings" of time's "looks and rays" refer to the moments of joy and happiness that we experience in life. These moments are like sparks of light that illuminate our path and give us hope. However, the use of the word "whilst" suggests that these moments are fleeting and temporary, and that they will soon be gone.
The third and fourth lines of the poem introduce the theme of mortality: "Gilding the eastern skies with rosy cheeks, / Spreading the fresh morning air with perfumes." Here, the speaker describes the beauty of the sunrise, with its rosy cheeks and perfumed air. However, this beauty is fleeting, and it is a reminder of our own mortality. The sunrise is a symbol of new beginnings, but it is also a reminder that each day brings us one step closer to our own death.
The fifth and sixth lines of the poem continue this theme: "Job could not do the like, / Therefore the year's chief pleasure is, to hike." Here, the speaker refers to the biblical figure of Job, who was unable to control time or stop it from passing. The phrase "to hike" means to move quickly or to hurry, suggesting that we should make the most of our time while we still have it. The "year's chief pleasure" is to make the most of the time we have, to enjoy life and to live it to the fullest.
The seventh and eighth lines of the poem introduce a new theme: "Of season's sweetest spices full; / Whatever delights can make us either gay or cool." Here, the speaker refers to the pleasures of life, the things that make us happy and bring us joy. These pleasures can be simple, like the sweet spices of the seasons, or they can be more complex, like the things that make us feel either "gay" or "cool." The use of the word "gay" here means happy or joyful, while the word "cool" means calm or collected.
The ninth and tenth lines of the poem return to the theme of mortality: "Delightful time, though swift, precarious, / Thy threat'ning wings still cut the airy seas." Here, the speaker acknowledges that time is both delightful and swift, but also precarious and threatening. The phrase "thy threat'ning wings" suggests that time is like a bird of prey, ready to swoop down and snatch us away at any moment. The use of the word "precarious" suggests that our time on earth is uncertain and unpredictable, and that we should make the most of it while we still can.
The eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem continue this theme: "But thy sweet-dew'd wings can dispense / Moisture, that makes the earth green with plants." Here, the speaker acknowledges that time can also bring new life and growth, like the sweet dew that nourishes the earth and makes it green with plants. This is a reminder that even though time is fleeting and temporary, it can also bring new beginnings and fresh starts.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem return to the theme of mortality: "Sweet, silent rhetorick of persuading eyes, / Softness, and innocence, and modesty." Here, the speaker describes the qualities that make life worth living: the sweet rhetoric of persuading eyes, the softness and innocence of youth, and the modesty of a humble heart. These qualities are all fleeting, and they remind us of our own mortality. The use of the word "silent" suggests that these qualities are often unspoken, and that they can be easily overlooked or forgotten.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines of the poem conclude the poem: "So, Lilies, in their white, / Decoy the guest, this world, and the next." Here, the speaker uses the metaphor of lilies to describe the fleeting nature of life. Lilies are beautiful and delicate flowers, but they are also short-lived, and they wither and die quickly. The phrase "decoy the guest" suggests that life is like a temporary visit, and that we should make the most of it while we still can. The use of the phrase "this world, and the next" suggests that life is a journey that leads us to the next world, and that we should make the most of our time on earth before we move on to the next stage of our journey.
In conclusion, Upon Time is a timeless poem that explores the themes of time, mortality, and the fleeting nature of life. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, the poem reminds us that life is short and uncertain, and that we should make the most of our time while we still can. The poem's simple and elegant language, combined with its powerful message, makes it a classic of English literature, and a reminder to us all to live our lives to the fullest.
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