'MRS ELIZ:WHEELER, UNDER THE NAME OF THELOST SHEPHERDESS' by Robert Herrick
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Among the myrtles as I walk'd
Love and my sighs thus intertalk'd:
Tell me, said I, in deep distress,
Where I may find my Shepherdess?
--Thou fool, said Love, know'st thou not this?
In every thing that's sweet she is.
In yond' carnation go and seek,
There thou shalt find her lip and cheek;
In that enamell'd pansy by,
There thou shalt have her curious eye;
In bloom of peach and rose's bud,
There waves the streamer of her blood.
--'Tis true, said I; and thereupon
I went to pluck them one by one,
To make of parts an union;
But on a sudden all were gone.
At which I stopp'd; Said Love, these be
The true resemblances of thee;
For as these flowers, thy joys must die;
And in the turning of an eye;
And all thy hopes of her must wither,
Like those short sweets here knit together.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Lost Shepherdess: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick's Poetry
If you are a fan of lyrical and pastoral poetry, then you must have come across Robert Herrick's works, especially the poem "Mrs Eliz:Wheeler, under the Name of the Lost Shepherdess." This poem is one of the most beautiful and captivating works of Robert Herrick. It is not only a masterpiece of his poetry but also a remarkable example of pastoral literature.
Background and Context
To understand the poem, it is essential to delve into its historical and literary context. Robert Herrick was a seventeenth-century English lyric poet who wrote during the period of the English Civil War. Herrick's poetry was part of the Cavalier school of poetry, which was characterized by its love of wit, grace, and sensuality. The Cavalier poets were known for their admiration of the beauty of nature and the countryside. They often used pastoral themes and settings in their works to depict the idyllic life of shepherds and rural folk.
Herrick's "Mrs Eliz:Wheeler, under the Name of the Lost Shepherdess" is a poem that tells the story of a lost shepherdess who is searching for her lover. The poem is set in an idyllic pastoral landscape where the beauty of nature is celebrated. The poem was published in 1648 in Herrick's collection of poems entitled "Hesperides."
Literary Analysis
The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a flowing and musical quality. The use of repetition in the poem also adds to its musicality. For instance, the phrase "the lost shepherdess" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of longing and melancholy. The poem is also rich in imagery, with Herrick using vivid descriptions to bring the pastoral landscape to life. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the shepherdess as having "a wreath of cowslips bound about her hair," which creates a beautiful and romantic image.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story. The first stanza introduces the reader to the lost shepherdess and sets the scene for the poem. The second stanza describes the shepherdess's search for her lover, and the third stanza reveals the resolution of the story.
One of the most striking things about the poem is the way in which Herrick uses pastoral imagery to convey deeper emotions. The poem is not just a simple love story but a meditation on the fragility of human relationships and the transience of life. The shepherdess's search for her lover becomes a metaphor for the human search for happiness and fulfillment.
Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective. Some readers may see it as a simple love story, while others may see it as a deeper exploration of human emotions and desires.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the fleeting nature of human relationships. The shepherdess is searching for her lover, but she cannot find him. This may be a metaphor for the way in which human relationships often end in disappointment and heartache. Herrick seems to be suggesting that happiness and fulfillment are elusive and that we must be content with the fleeting moments of joy that life offers us.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a celebration of the beauty of nature. The pastoral landscape in which the poem is set is described in vivid detail, and the beauty of the natural world is celebrated throughout. The poem can be seen as an invitation to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and to find joy in the beauty of the world around us.
Conclusion
"Mrs Eliz:Wheeler, under the Name of the Lost Shepherdess" is a beautiful and captivating poem that showcases Robert Herrick's talent as a poet. The poem is a masterpiece of pastoral literature and a commentary on the fragility of human relationships. It is a celebration of the beauty of nature and an invitation to find joy in the simple pleasures of life. If you are a fan of poetry or pastoral literature, this poem is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Herrick’s poem “Mrs. Eliz: Wheeler, under the name of The Lost Shepherdess” is a beautiful and poignant work of art that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. Written in the 17th century, this classic piece of poetry has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
The poem is dedicated to Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, who is referred to as “The Lost Shepherdess” in the title. The poem is a tribute to her beauty, grace, and charm, and Herrick uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his admiration for her.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Mrs. Wheeler as “Fair Shepherdess,” a term that is often used in literature to describe a beautiful and virtuous woman. The speaker then goes on to describe her as a “flower” that has been “plucked and thrown away,” suggesting that she has been abandoned or rejected by someone.
The use of the flower metaphor is particularly effective in conveying the fragility and delicacy of Mrs. Wheeler’s beauty. Flowers are often associated with transience and impermanence, and the fact that she has been “thrown away” suggests that her beauty has been discarded or devalued.
However, the speaker goes on to reassure Mrs. Wheeler that her beauty is not lost, but rather has been “transplanted” to a new location. This metaphor suggests that her beauty has not been destroyed, but rather has been relocated to a place where it can continue to thrive and flourish.
The speaker then goes on to describe Mrs. Wheeler’s beauty in more detail, using a series of vivid and evocative images. He compares her to a “pearl” that has been “cast away” and a “diamond” that has been “lost in clay.” These metaphors suggest that Mrs. Wheeler’s beauty is rare and precious, and that it has been undervalued or overlooked by those who do not appreciate its true worth.
The poem then takes a more melancholy turn, as the speaker laments the fact that Mrs. Wheeler’s beauty has been “wasted” on those who do not appreciate it. He suggests that she has been “wronged” by those who have failed to recognize her true value, and that she deserves better than the “rude hands” that have handled her.
This sense of injustice and unfairness is a recurring theme in the poem, and it reflects the broader social and cultural context in which it was written. In the 17th century, women were often treated as objects to be admired or desired, rather than as individuals with their own agency and autonomy. The poem can be seen as a critique of this patriarchal system, and a call for women to be recognized and valued for their own unique qualities and attributes.
The poem ends on a hopeful note, as the speaker suggests that Mrs. Wheeler’s beauty will eventually be recognized and appreciated by someone who truly deserves her. He describes her as a “jewel” that has been “found” by a “worthy hand,” suggesting that she will eventually find someone who appreciates her for who she truly is.
Overall, “Mrs. Eliz: Wheeler, under the name of The Lost Shepherdess” is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of love, loss, and longing. Through its use of vivid imagery and metaphors, it conveys a sense of the fragility and preciousness of beauty, as well as the injustice and unfairness that can arise when it is not recognized and valued. Despite its age, the poem remains relevant and resonant today, and it continues to inspire and move readers with its timeless message of hope and redemption.
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