'Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd' by John Dryden


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(Comus.) Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd;
Your barns will be full, and your hovels heap'd:
Come, my boys, come;
Come, my boys, come;
And merrily roar out Harvest Home.
(Chorus.) Come, my boys, come;
Come, my boys, come;
And merrily roar out Harvest Home.

(Man.) We ha' cheated the parson, we'll cheat him agen,
For why should a blockhead ha' one in ten?
One in ten,
One in ten,
For why should a blockhead ha' one in ten?

For prating so long like a book-learn'd sot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot.
(Chorus.)Burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot.
We'll toss off our ale till we canno' stand,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England:
Old England,
Old England,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England.
(Chorus.) Old England,
Old England,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you looking for a poem that perfectly captures the essence of rural life in the 17th century? Look no further than John Dryden's "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd." This delightful little piece is a celebration of the harvest season, a time of hard work and bountiful rewards.

Background Information

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate the man behind the words. John Dryden was a prolific English poet, playwright, and literary critic who lived from 1631 to 1700. He was the first English poet to be appointed Poet Laureate, a position he held from 1668 until his death.

Dryden was known for his versatility as a writer, producing everything from heroic plays to satirical verse. He was also a master of the English language, often incorporating complex rhymes and allusions into his work.

The Poem

But enough about Dryden. Let's get to the good stuff: the poem itself. "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is a short and sweet piece, consisting of just eight lines.

Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd; Your barns will be full, and your hovels heap'd: Come, boys, and make no stay; But bring the garlands hither, For we will be at once merry and wise, And cheerfully enjoy those blessings Heaven bestows.

The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a simple ABABCC scheme. The tone is jovial and celebratory, reflecting the joyous mood of the harvest season.

Interpretation

So what exactly is Dryden trying to say in this poem? At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than a cheerful ode to the bountiful harvest. But dig a little deeper, and you'll find that there is more to it than meets the eye.

First of all, let's take a closer look at the opening lines: "Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd; / Your barns will be full, and your hovels heap'd." On the surface, this is simply a statement of fact. The crops have been harvested, and the farmers can expect a plentiful yield.

But notice the use of the word "heap'd." This suggests not just abundance, but excess. The farmers will have more than enough to fill their barns and hovels, but what will happen to the rest? Will it go to waste? Will it be sold off for a pittance?

This leads us to the next line: "Come, boys, and make no stay; / But bring the garlands hither." Here, Dryden is urging the farmers to celebrate their success, but also to share their good fortune with others. The garlands are a symbol of the harvest, and by bringing them "hither," the farmers are inviting others to join in the celebration.

But why is Dryden so insistent on this point? Why can't the farmers simply enjoy their success in peace? The answer lies in the final lines of the poem: "For we will be at once merry and wise, / And cheerfully enjoy those blessings Heaven bestows."

Here, Dryden is reminding us that the harvest is not just a time of plenty, but also a time of gratitude. The farmers are not simply lucky to have a bountiful yield; they are blessed by Heaven. And with that blessing comes a responsibility to share their good fortune with others.

Literary Criticism

Now that we've explored the meaning behind the poem, let's take a closer look at its literary elements. One of the most striking things about "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is its use of rhyme.

Dryden employs a simple ABABCC rhyme scheme, which gives the poem a light and playful tone. But within that scheme, he also uses a number of internal rhymes and slant rhymes to create a sense of musicality and rhythm.

For example, in the first line, "mow'd" and "reap'd" are perfect rhymes, while "full" and "heap'd" are slant rhymes. These subtle variations in sound help to create a sense of movement and energy within the poem.

Another literary technique that Dryden employs is allusion. In the final lines of the poem, he refers to "those blessings Heaven bestows." This is a clear nod to the religious beliefs of the time, and a reminder that the harvest is not just a natural phenomenon, but a divine gift.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is a delightful little poem that celebrates the joys of the harvest season while also reminding us of our responsibility to share our good fortune with others. With its playful rhyme scheme, subtle musicality, and allusions to religious belief, it is a testament to John Dryden's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of rural life in 17th century England.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd: A Classic Poem by John Dryden

John Dryden, one of the greatest poets of the Restoration period, wrote the poem "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" in 1685. This poem is a pastoral elegy, which means it is a poem that mourns the loss of someone or something in a rural setting. In this case, the poem mourns the loss of a young woman who has died.

The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This gives the poem a rhythmic quality that makes it easy to read and remember. The poem is also written in rhyming couplets, which means that each pair of lines ends with a rhyme. This gives the poem a musical quality that makes it pleasant to listen to.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the young woman who has died. He tells her that her hay has been mowed and her corn has been reaped. This is a metaphor for the fact that her life has come to an end. The hay and corn represent the fruits of her labor, which have now been harvested. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of the countryside where the young woman lived. He talks about the fields, the woods, and the rivers that surrounded her.

The speaker then turns his attention to the young woman's family and friends. He tells them not to weep for her because she is now in a better place. He says that she has gone to a place where there is no pain or suffering. This is a common theme in pastoral elegies, where the speaker tries to console the mourners by telling them that the person who has died is now in a better place.

The speaker then goes on to describe the young woman's virtues. He says that she was kind, gentle, and virtuous. He says that she was loved by all who knew her and that she will be missed by everyone. This is a common theme in pastoral elegies, where the speaker tries to praise the person who has died and to emphasize their virtues.

The poem ends with the speaker addressing the young woman once again. He tells her that she will be remembered and that her memory will live on. He says that her name will be written in the stars and that she will be remembered for all time. This is a common theme in pastoral elegies, where the speaker tries to immortalize the person who has died by saying that they will be remembered forever.

In conclusion, "Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is a beautiful pastoral elegy that mourns the loss of a young woman. The poem is written in iambic pentameter and rhyming couplets, which give it a rhythmic and musical quality. The poem is also full of metaphors and imagery that evoke the beauty of the countryside. The poem is a tribute to the young woman's virtues and a consolation to her family and friends. The poem ends with the speaker trying to immortalize the young woman by saying that she will be remembered forever. Overall, this is a classic poem that is still relevant today and is a testament to John Dryden's skill as a poet.

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