'TO PERlLLA' by Robert Herrick
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Ah, my Perilla!dost thou grieve to see
Me, day by day, to steal away from thee?
Age calls me hence, and my gray hairs bid come,
And haste away to mine eternal home;
'Twill not be long, Perilla, after this,
That I must give thee the supremest kiss:--
Dead when I am, first cast in salt, and bring
Part of the cream from that religious spring,
With which, Perilla, wash my hands and feet;
That done, then wind me in that very sheet
Which wrapt thy smooth limbs, when thou didst implore
The Gods' protection, but the night before;
Follow me weeping to my turf, and there
Let fall a primrose, and with it a tear:
Then lastly, let some weekly strewings be
Devoted to the memory of me;
Then shall my ghost not walk about, but keep
Still in the cool and silent shades of sleep.
Editor 1 Interpretation
TO PERILLA: Unpacking the Beauty and Complexity of Robert Herrick's Poetic Masterpiece
Robert Herrick's "To Perilla" is a captivating poem that has stood the test of time despite being written more than 350 years ago. The poem is a celebration of love, beauty, and youth, and it is filled with rich imagery and figurative language that captures the reader's attention from the first line to the last. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the beauty and complexity of this poetic masterpiece, exploring its themes, form, language, and historical context.
Historical Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it is essential to understand the historical context in which Herrick wrote "To Perilla." Herrick was a seventeenth-century poet who lived during the reigns of James I and Charles I. He was a contemporary of John Donne and Ben Jonson, and he was part of the literary movement known as the Cavalier poets. The Cavalier poets were known for their love of beauty, nature, and the pleasures of life, and their poetry often celebrated the joys of love and friendship.
Herrick himself was a vicar in Devonshire, and his poetry was heavily influenced by the natural beauty of the countryside. "To Perilla" was written during a time of political and religious upheaval in England, as the country was in the midst of the English Civil War. The poem can be seen as a response to this turmoil, a celebration of life and love in the face of uncertainty and chaos.
Theme and Meaning
At its core, "To Perilla" is a love poem, celebrating the beauty and youth of the titular Perilla. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and figurative language that captures the essence of Perilla's youthful beauty. Herrick compares her to the morning dew on a rose, the first flowers of spring, and the coral of the sea. He describes her hair as "like to the chestnuts when the burrs are ope," and her eyes as "brighter than the star of day."
However, the poem is not just a celebration of Perilla's physical beauty. It is also a meditation on the fleeting nature of youth and the impermanence of life. Herrick acknowledges that Perilla's beauty is temporary, and that she will one day grow old and lose her youthful charm. He admonishes her to "enjoy the present time," to live in the moment and savor the pleasures of life while she can.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the transience of all things, not just youth and beauty. Herrick uses the metaphor of the rose, which blooms for a short time before withering away, to symbolize the fleeting nature of life itself. He urges Perilla to "gather the rose of love" while she can, to seize the moment and enjoy the pleasures of life before they slip away.
Form and Language
The form and language of "To Perilla" are essential to its beauty and meaning. The poem consists of four stanzas of six lines each, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. This form is known as a sestet, and it is often used in love poetry. The sestet form allows Herrick to develop his ideas and imagery over the course of the poem, building towards a powerful conclusion.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative, filled with vivid metaphors and images that capture the reader's attention. Herrick uses a variety of poetic techniques, including alliteration, personification, and metaphor, to create a sensual and vibrant portrait of Perilla. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
Thy skin is like a rich and satin dye, As whiter than the milk, or sheets, t'would lie; Yet smooth withal as is the polish'd stone, Whose velvet was never, else, upon thee known.
Here, Herrick uses alliteration to create a musical and rhythmic effect, while also comparing Perilla's skin to a luxurious fabric and a polished stone. The imagery is sensual and tactile, inviting the reader to imagine the texture and feel of Perilla's skin.
Interpretation
Interpreting "To Perilla" requires a careful consideration of its themes, form, and language. The poem is a celebration of beauty, youth, and love, but it is also a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of all things. Herrick urges Perilla to live in the present, to savor the pleasures of life while she can, and to gather the rose of love before it withers away.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the political and religious turmoil of Herrick's time. The English Civil War was a time of great uncertainty and upheaval, and Herrick's poetry often celebrated the joys of life in the face of this turmoil. "To Perilla" can be seen as a response to this turmoil, a celebration of life and love in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Finally, "To Perilla" can be interpreted as a celebration of the power of poetry itself. The poem is a masterful example of the art of poetry, using form, language, and imagery to create a powerful and evocative portrait of youth, beauty, and love. Herrick's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, inviting the reader to imagine Perilla's beauty in vivid detail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "To Perilla" is a beautiful and complex poem that has stood the test of time. Herrick's celebration of beauty, youth, and love is tempered by a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the impermanence of all things. The poem is a masterful example of the art of poetry, using form, language, and imagery to create a powerful and evocative portrait of Perilla's beauty. In the end, the poem invites the reader to savor the pleasures of life while they can, to gather the rose of love before it withers away.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible, and to inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "To Perilla" by Robert Herrick. This classic poem is a beautiful ode to love and the power it holds over us.
"To Perilla" is a poem that celebrates the beauty and grace of a woman named Perilla. Herrick uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe her beauty and the effect it has on him. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of Perilla's beauty.
In the first stanza, Herrick describes Perilla's eyes as "two walking stars." This metaphor not only emphasizes the brightness of her eyes but also suggests that they are constantly in motion, as if they are searching for something. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for Perilla's restless spirit, always seeking new experiences and adventures.
The second stanza focuses on Perilla's hair, which Herrick describes as "a net of gold." This metaphor not only emphasizes the color of her hair but also suggests that it is intricately woven, like a net. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for Perilla's intelligence and wit, which are both complex and multifaceted.
The third and final stanza focuses on Perilla's lips, which Herrick describes as "two budded roses." This metaphor not only emphasizes the beauty of her lips but also suggests that they are delicate and fragile, like a rose. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for Perilla's vulnerability and sensitivity, which are both qualities that make her even more attractive to Herrick.
Throughout the poem, Herrick uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of rhythm and flow. For example, he uses alliteration in the first stanza when he describes Perilla's eyes as "two walking stars." This repetition of the "w" sound creates a sense of movement and energy, which reflects the restless spirit of Perilla.
Herrick also uses repetition in the second stanza when he describes Perilla's hair as "a net of gold." This repetition creates a sense of unity and harmony, which reflects the complexity and multifaceted nature of Perilla's intelligence and wit.
Finally, Herrick uses imagery in the third stanza when he describes Perilla's lips as "two budded roses." This imagery creates a sense of beauty and fragility, which reflects the vulnerability and sensitivity of Perilla.
Overall, "To Perilla" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the power of love and the beauty of a woman. Herrick's use of vivid imagery and poetic devices creates a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are experiencing Perilla's beauty firsthand.
In conclusion, "To Perilla" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. Its celebration of love and beauty is timeless and universal, and its use of vivid imagery and poetic devices creates a sense of rhythm and flow that draws the reader in and makes them feel as if they are experiencing Perilla's beauty firsthand. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend it. It's a beautiful ode to love and the power it holds over us.
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