'THE LILY IN A CRYSTAL' by Robert Herrick
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You have beheld a smiling rose
When virgins' hands have drawn
O'er it a cobweb-lawn:
And here, you see, this lily shows,
Tomb'd in a crystal stone,
More fair in this transparent case
Than when it grew alone,
And had but single grace.
You see how cream but naked is,
Nor dances in the eye
Without a strawberry;
Or some fine tincture, like to this,
Which draws the sight thereto,
More by that wantoning with it,
Than when the paler hue
No mixture did admit.
You see how amber through the streams
More gently strokes the sight,
With some conceal'd delight,
Than when he darts his radiant beams
Into the boundless air;
Where either too much light his worth
Doth all at once impair,
Or set it little forth.
Put purple grapes or cherries in-
To glass, and they will send
More beauty to commend
Them, from that clean and subtle skin,
Than if they naked stood,
And had no other pride at all,
But their own flesh and blood,
And tinctures natural.
Thus lily, rose, grape, cherry, cream,
And strawberry do stir
More love, when they transfer
A weak, a soft, a broken beam;
Than if they should discover
At full their proper excellence,
Without some scene cast over,
To juggle with the sense.
Thus let this crystall'd lily be
A rule, how far to teach
Your nakedness must reach;
And that no further than we see
Those glaring colours laid
By art's wise hand, but to this end
They should obey a shade,
Lest they too far extend.
--So though you're white as swan or snow,
And have the power to move
A world of men to love;
Yet, when your lawns and silks shall flow,
And that white cloud divide
Into a doubtful twilight;--then,
Then will your hidden pride
Raise greater fires in men.
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Editor 1 Interpretation
The Lily in a Crystal: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
Robert Herrick's "The Lily in a Crystal" is a breathtaking poem that effortlessly combines metaphysical and pastoral themes to create a masterpiece of English poetry. In this 16-line poem, Herrick explores the beauty of nature, the transience of life, and the paradoxical nature of existence, all through the metaphor of a lily preserved in crystal.
The Poem
Before delving into the poem's interpretation, let's take a look at the poem itself:
The modest Rose puts forth a thorn:
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.
At first glance, the poem seems straightforward enough, but upon closer inspection, the poem reveals a complex web of metaphysical themes and symbols that demand closer scrutiny.
Interpretation
The opening lines of the poem, "The modest Rose puts forth a thorn: / The humble sheep a threat'ning horn" introduce two contrasting symbols: the rose and the sheep. The rose, traditionally associated with love and beauty, is portrayed as having a thorn, which can inflict pain and injury. The sheep, on the other hand, is a symbol of innocence and meekness, yet it possesses a threatening horn. These contrasting symbols set the tone for the poem, which explores the paradoxical nature of existence.
The poem's central image is that of the Lily in a Crystal, a metaphor that is rich in symbolism and allegory. The Lily, traditionally associated with purity and innocence, is preserved in crystal, a material that is transparent, yet solid. This paradoxical quality of crystal symbolizes the paradoxical nature of existence itself: our lives are both fleeting and eternal, visible and invisible, real and illusory.
The Lily's presence in the crystal also suggests a sense of transcendence and immortality. The Lily is preserved in the crystal, suggesting that it will never die or fade away. This idea is reinforced by the poem's closing lines, "Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright." The Lily, unlike the rose and the sheep, is not subject to the ravages of time or the imperfections of existence.
Another important theme in the poem is the beauty and power of nature. The Lily, in its natural state, is a thing of beauty that delights in love. This is in contrast to the rose, which is portrayed as having a thorn, and the sheep, which has a threatening horn. The Lily's beauty is pure and unadulterated, a reflection of the beauty of nature itself.
Finally, the poem explores the transience of life. The rose and the sheep are both symbols of life, but they are also symbols of impermanence. The thorn and the horn both suggest a sense of danger and mortality. The Lily, on the other hand, is preserved in crystal, suggesting a sense of permanence and immortality. This contrast between the impermanence of life and the permanence of the Lily suggests that the beauty of nature endures, even as individual lives come and go.
Literary Criticism
From a literary perspective, "The Lily in a Crystal" is a masterful example of metaphysical poetry. The poem combines pastoral imagery with metaphysical themes to create a sense of transcendence and immortality. The poem's use of paradoxical imagery and symbols creates a sense of tension and complexity that invites the reader to delve deeper into the poem's meaning.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its economy of language. The poem is only 16 lines long, yet it manages to convey a complex web of themes and symbols. The poem's brevity and simplicity are a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet.
Another important aspect of the poem is its use of rhyme and meter. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, a meter that is commonly used in English poetry. The poem's rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a sense of balance and symmetry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Lily in a Crystal" is a masterpiece of English poetry that combines pastoral and metaphysical themes to create a sense of transcendence and immortality. The poem's central image of the Lily in a Crystal is rich in symbolism and allegory, suggesting a sense of permanence and beauty that endures even in the face of transience and impermanence. The poem's use of paradoxical imagery and symbols creates a sense of tension and complexity that invites the reader to delve deeper into the poem's meaning. Overall, "The Lily in a Crystal" is a testament to Herrick's skill as a poet and a masterful example of metaphysical poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The beauty of nature has always been a source of inspiration for poets throughout history. Among the many poets who have been inspired by nature, Robert Herrick stands out as one of the most prominent. Herrick's poem, "The Lily in a Crystal," is a classic example of his ability to capture the essence of nature in his poetry. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem is a short, four-line stanza that describes a lily in a crystal vase. The first line sets the scene: "The modest Rose puts forth a thorn." This line is significant because it establishes a contrast between the rose and the lily. The rose, which is often associated with love and beauty, is described as having a thorn, which represents pain and danger. The lily, on the other hand, is described as "pure, soft, and sweet," which creates a sense of innocence and purity.
The second line of the poem reads, "The humble sheep a threat'ning horn." This line continues the theme of contrast established in the first line. The sheep, which is often associated with meekness and docility, is described as having a "threat'ning horn," which represents power and strength. This contrast between the rose and the lily, and the sheep and the horn, sets the stage for the final two lines of the poem.
The third line reads, "While the Lily white shall in love delight." This line is significant because it establishes the lily as the central focus of the poem. The lily is described as being "white," which represents purity and innocence. The use of the word "love" in this line creates a sense of tenderness and affection, which is further emphasized in the final line of the poem.
The final line reads, "Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright." This line is significant because it brings together the themes of contrast and purity established in the first three lines. The lily is described as being free from any stain or blemish, which emphasizes its purity and innocence. The use of the words "thorn" and "threat" in this line creates a sense of danger and violence, which contrasts with the lily's beauty and purity.
The imagery used in the poem is also significant. The use of the crystal vase to hold the lily creates a sense of fragility and delicacy. The lily is described as being "pure, soft, and sweet," which emphasizes its delicate nature. The use of the words "modest" and "humble" to describe the rose and the sheep, respectively, creates a sense of simplicity and humility, which contrasts with the lily's beauty and purity.
The language used in the poem is simple and straightforward, which emphasizes the themes of simplicity and purity. The use of the words "modest," "humble," and "pure" creates a sense of innocence and simplicity, which is further emphasized by the use of the word "white" to describe the lily. The use of the words "thorn" and "threat" creates a sense of danger and violence, which contrasts with the lily's beauty and purity.
In conclusion, "The Lily in a Crystal" is a classic example of Robert Herrick's ability to capture the essence of nature in his poetry. The poem's themes of contrast, purity, and simplicity are emphasized through the use of imagery and language. The lily, which is the central focus of the poem, is described as being pure, innocent, and delicate, which creates a sense of tenderness and affection. The use of the crystal vase to hold the lily creates a sense of fragility and delicacy, which emphasizes the lily's beauty and purity. Overall, "The Lily in a Crystal" is a beautiful and timeless poem that celebrates the beauty and purity of nature.
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