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'ALL THINGS DECAY AND DIE' by Robert Herrick


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All things decay with time:The forest sees
The growth and down-fall of her aged trees;
That timber tall, which three-score lustres stood
The proud dictator of the state-like wood,
I mean the sovereign of all plants, the oak,
Droops, dies, and falls without the cleaver's stroke.

Editor 1 Interpretation

All Things Decay and Die by Robert Herrick: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagery

Robert Herrick's poem "All Things Decay and Die" is a masterpiece of poetic imagery that explores the themes of mortality, impermanence, and the transient nature of all things. In this 16-line poem, Herrick uses the metaphor of a flower to convey the idea that all things, no matter how beautiful, must eventually wither and die. Through his vivid use of imagery and metaphor, Herrick creates a powerful meditation on the transience of life that continues to resonate with readers today.

The Poem in Context

"All Things Decay and Die" was published in Herrick's collection of poetry titled "Hesperides" in 1648. The poem is part of a larger body of work that explores similar themes of love, death, and the passage of time. At the time of its publication, England was undergoing a period of political upheaval and social change, as the country was transitioning from the reign of the Stuart kings to the rule of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

Against this backdrop of change and uncertainty, Herrick's poetry provided a sense of stability and continuity, as he drew upon classical literary traditions and themes to create works of enduring beauty and meaning. "All Things Decay and Die" is a prime example of Herrick's ability to evoke powerful emotions through his use of language and imagery.

The Poem

Here is the text of "All Things Decay and Die" in full:

All things decay and die;
The diamond shall decay,
The gold shall fade away,
The sun shall set and die,
The rose upon the brier
Shall cease to bloom and grow,
The river run dry,
And every youthful morn
That weeps upon its buried yesterday
Shall die along with it.

At only 16 lines, Herrick's poem is short but highly impactful. The poem is structured as a series of 8 couplets, with each couplet consisting of two lines that share a common rhyme. The poem uses a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, which contributes to its overall musicality and makes it easy to remember.

Analysis of the Poem

At the heart of "All Things Decay and Die" is the metaphor of a flower, which Herrick uses to convey the idea that all things must eventually wither and die. The opening line of the poem sets the tone for this meditation on mortality: "All things decay and die." This line is a simple statement of fact, but it carries with it a sense of melancholy and inevitability.

Herrick then goes on to list a series of things that will eventually decay and die, including diamonds, gold, the sun, and roses. This list serves to underscore the universality of Herrick's message – no matter how valuable or beautiful something may be, it is still subject to the ravages of time.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the line "The river run dry." This image is particularly powerful because it suggests that even something as seemingly eternal as a river will eventually come to an end. It also serves as a metaphor for the passage of time, as a river is constantly flowing and changing, just as time is constantly moving forward.

The final couplet of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Here, Herrick describes "every youthful morn / That weeps upon its buried yesterday" as dying along with the past. This image reinforces the idea that the passage of time is inexorable and that even our memories will eventually fade away.

Themes and Implications

At its core, "All Things Decay and Die" is a meditation on the transience of life. Through his use of metaphor and imagery, Herrick invites readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of all things and to consider what is truly valuable in life.

One theme that emerges from the poem is the idea that beauty is fleeting. The image of the rose upon the brier ceasing to bloom and grow is a powerful reminder that even the most beautiful things in life are subject to decay and death. This theme is echoed in other works of literature, such as Shakespeare's sonnets, where the beauty of youth is celebrated but also lamented for its impermanence.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea that time is constantly moving forward. The image of the river running dry is a potent metaphor for the passage of time, as it suggests that even something as seemingly eternal as a river is subject to the ravages of time. This theme is also present in other works of literature, such as T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land," which draws heavily on the idea of time and its effects on the human psyche.

Conclusion

In "All Things Decay and Die," Robert Herrick has created a powerful meditation on the transience of life. Through his use of metaphor and vivid imagery, Herrick invites readers to contemplate the fleeting nature of all things and to consider what is truly valuable in life. The poem continues to resonate with readers today, serving as a reminder of the beauty and fragility of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

All Things Decay and Die: A Poetic Masterpiece by Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry that celebrates the beauty of nature and the fleetingness of life. His poem "All Things Decay and Die" is a poignant meditation on the transience of all things, from the natural world to human life. In this 14-line poem, Herrick captures the essence of the human condition, reminding us that everything we cherish will eventually wither away and die.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "All things decay and die." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. Herrick uses the natural world as a metaphor for human life, showing how everything in nature is subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death.

In the second line, Herrick writes, "The stars themselves depart." This line is particularly striking, as it reminds us that even the most enduring and seemingly eternal things in the universe are not immune to the ravages of time. The stars, which have been shining for billions of years, will eventually burn out and die, just like everything else.

The third line of the poem, "Oh, how the mighty have no stay," is a reference to the transience of power and wealth. Herrick is reminding us that even the most powerful and wealthy individuals are not immune to the ravages of time. No matter how much wealth or power one accumulates, it will all eventually fade away.

In the fourth line, Herrick writes, "The fairest bloom will soon decay." This line is a reference to the beauty of youth and the inevitability of aging. No matter how beautiful or youthful one may be, they will eventually grow old and wither away.

The fifth and sixth lines of the poem, "The brightest day must have its close, and darkness be the next repose," are a reference to the cyclical nature of life. Just as the day must inevitably give way to night, so too must life give way to death. Herrick is reminding us that death is a natural part of the cycle of life, and that we should not fear it, but rather accept it as a natural part of the human experience.

In the seventh and eighth lines of the poem, Herrick writes, "The fairest sun must set at last, and yield to the earth his lovely ray." This is another reference to the transience of life, and the inevitability of death. The sun, which is often seen as a symbol of life and vitality, will eventually set and give way to darkness. Herrick is reminding us that even the most vibrant and life-giving things in the world are subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death.

In the ninth and tenth lines of the poem, Herrick writes, "The greatest river runs his race, and then his waters glide to the embrace of the wide ocean." This is a reference to the flow of time, and the way in which everything in the world is subject to the same inexorable march of time. The river, which seems so powerful and eternal, will eventually run its course and merge with the ocean, just like everything else in the world.

In the eleventh and twelfth lines of the poem, Herrick writes, "From out the hill's two springs do flow, the air and fire, and both must go to their cold graves." This is a reference to the elements of air and fire, which are often seen as symbols of life and vitality. Herrick is reminding us that even these elemental forces are subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth lines of the poem, Herrick writes, "The sea itself, which one would think should have eternal life to sink, is in the arms of Morpheus cast." This is a reference to the sea, which seems so vast and eternal, but is ultimately subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death. Herrick is reminding us that even the most enduring and seemingly eternal things in the world are not immune to the ravages of time.

In conclusion, "All Things Decay and Die" is a powerful meditation on the transience of all things, from the natural world to human life. Herrick uses the natural world as a metaphor for human life, showing how everything in nature is subject to the same cycle of birth, growth, decay, and death. The poem is a reminder that everything we cherish will eventually wither away and die, and that we should cherish every moment of our lives while we can. Herrick's poetic masterpiece is a timeless reminder of the fragility of life, and the importance of living in the present moment.

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