'A PARANAETICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSETO HIS FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS' by Robert Herrick
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Is this a life, to break thy sleep,
To rise as soon as day doth peep?
To tire thy patient ox or ass
By noon, and let thy good days pass,
Not knowing this, that Jove decrees
Some mirth, t' adulce man's miseries?
--No; 'tis a life to have thine oil
Without extortion from thy soil;
Thy faithful fields to yield thee grain,
Although with some, yet little pain;
To have thy mind, and nuptial bed,
With fears and cares uncumbered
A pleasing wife, that by thy side
Lies softly panting like a bride;
--This is to live, and to endear
Those minutes Time has lent us here.
Then, while fates suffer, live thou free,
As is that air that circles thee;
And crown thy temples too; and let
Thy servant, not thy own self, sweat,
To strut thy barns with sheaves of wheat.
--Time steals away like to a stream,
And we glide hence away with them:
No sound recalls the hours once fled,
Or roses, being withered;
Nor us, my friend, when we are lost,
Like to a dew, or melted frost.
--Then live we mirthful while we should,
And turn the iron age to gold;
Let's feast and frolic, sing and play,
And thus less last, than live our day.
Whose life with care is overcast,
That man's not said to live, but last;
Nor is't a life, seven years to tell,
But for to live that half seven well;
And that we'll do, as men who know,
Some few sands spent, we hence must go,
Both to be blended in the urn,
From whence there's never a return.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A PARANAETICALL, OR ADVISIVE VERSETO HIS FRIEND, MR JOHN WICKS: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that can give you some sound advice and uplift your spirits at the same time? Look no further than Robert Herrick's "A Paranaeticall, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr John Wicks." The poem, written in the 17th century, is a shining example of how a poet can use language to convey wisdom in a way that is both beautiful and memorable.
Background and Context
Robert Herrick, the author of this poem, was a 17th-century English poet who is best known for his lyrical poems that celebrate the beauty of nature and love. He was a contemporary of other famous poets of his time, such as John Donne and George Herbert. "A Paranaeticall, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr John Wicks" was one of Herrick's earlier poems, and it was likely written sometime in the 1620s.
The poem is addressed to Herrick's friend, Mr. John Wicks, and it is essentially a piece of advice that Herrick is giving to his friend. The poem is written in verse, with each line consisting of ten syllables, and it employs a rhyme scheme that follows the pattern ABABCCDEED. Although the poem is relatively short, it is packed with insights and wisdom that are just as relevant today as they were when Herrick wrote them.
Literary Analysis
The poem begins with a striking opening line: "If thou wilt learne thy selfe, and angells know." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the poem is going to offer some profound insights into the nature of the self and the divine. The line also makes use of a technique known as enjambment, where one line runs on to the next without a pause or punctuation mark. This technique creates a sense of urgency and momentum that propels the reader forward.
The next few lines of the poem offer some advice on how to achieve self-knowledge: "Here's a cleare way, and easie; doe but this, / And joyne thyselfe to him who is all blisse." The "him" referred to here is most likely God or some other divine entity. The poem is essentially saying that if you want to know yourself and the divine, all you have to do is connect with the divine. This is a simple but profound message that is echoed in many religious and spiritual traditions.
The poem goes on to offer some more practical advice on how to achieve this connection with the divine: "Then from this earthly drosse, which doth adhere / Onely to them whose minds grosse objects feare, / Thou shalt be freed, and have thy soule refin'd, / To that cleare light from whence it first declin'd." Here, the poem is suggesting that the reason we are not in touch with the divine is because our minds are preoccupied with "gross" or materialistic objects. The solution, according to the poem, is to free ourselves from these distractions and focus on the divine. This will allow our souls to be "refined" and return to the "clear light" of the divine.
The poem also offers some advice on how to live a virtuous and fulfilling life: "Then shalt thou know, how by thine outward part / The world, with all her slight, is but a mart / To buy and sell; nor is it virtue here / To feed on cares, or feed on povertie." Here, the poem is reminding us that the material world is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. True fulfillment and virtue, according to the poem, come from focusing on the divine and living a life that is aligned with its principles.
The poem concludes with a powerful final couplet: "Let these advise thee; and, if these be done, / Thy soule shall be as white as is the sunne." This couplet encapsulates the entire message of the poem in a succinct and memorable way. The poem is saying that if you follow its advice, your soul will be as pure and radiant as the sun. This is a powerful image that conveys the transformative power of spiritual awakening.
Interpretation
At its core, "A Paranaeticall, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr John Wicks" is a poem about the search for self-knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. The poem is offering some practical advice on how to achieve these goals, and it is doing so in a way that is both beautiful and memorable. The poem is essentially saying that if we want to know ourselves and the divine, we need to free ourselves from the distractions of the material world and focus on the divine.
The poem is also a reminder that the material world is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. True fulfillment and virtue come from focusing on the divine and living a life that is aligned with its principles. This is a message that is as relevant today as it was in the 17th century when the poem was written.
Another way to interpret the poem is to see it as a commentary on the human condition. The poem is essentially saying that we are all searching for something deeper and more meaningful than the material world can offer. We are all searching for a connection with the divine, and this connection is what ultimately gives our lives meaning and purpose.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Paranaeticall, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr John Wicks" is a beautiful and insightful poem that offers some practical advice on how to achieve self-knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. The poem is a reminder that the material world is fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying, and that true fulfillment and virtue come from focusing on the divine. The poem's message is as relevant today as it was when it was written in the 17th century, and it is a testament to the power of language to convey wisdom and insight in a way that is both memorable and beautiful.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Robert Herrick’s poem, “A Paranaetical, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr. John Wicks,” is a classic example of the poet’s ability to convey deep emotions and thoughts through his words. In this poem, Herrick offers his friend John Wicks some advice on how to live a fulfilling life. The poem is written in a conversational tone, making it easy to read and understand. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The poem begins with Herrick addressing his friend John Wicks, telling him that he has some advice to offer. Herrick then proceeds to give his friend some advice on how to live a happy and fulfilling life. He tells him to enjoy life while he can, as life is short and fleeting. He advises him to make the most of his youth and to seize every opportunity that comes his way. Herrick also tells his friend to be kind and generous to others, as this will bring him happiness and fulfillment.
The theme of the poem is the importance of living life to the fullest. Herrick emphasizes the fleeting nature of life and encourages his friend to make the most of every moment. He also stresses the importance of being kind and generous to others, as this will bring happiness and fulfillment. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can.
Herrick uses a number of literary devices in the poem to convey his message. One of the most prominent devices is imagery. He uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the fleeting nature of life. For example, he writes, “The time will come when thou shalt grieve / To think upon thy mis-spent hours.” This image of regret is a powerful reminder of the importance of making the most of our time.
Another literary device that Herrick uses is repetition. He repeats the phrase “be kind” several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of kindness and generosity. This repetition also serves to reinforce the theme of the poem.
The poem is also notable for its historical context. Herrick was a poet who lived during the 17th century, a time when life was often short and brutal. Disease, war, and poverty were common, and many people did not live past their thirties. In this context, Herrick’s advice to his friend takes on added significance. He is urging his friend to make the most of his life, knowing that it could be cut short at any moment.
In conclusion, Robert Herrick’s poem “A Paranaetical, or Advisive Verse to His Friend, Mr. John Wicks” is a powerful reminder of the importance of living life to the fullest. Herrick uses vivid imagery and repetition to convey his message, and the poem is notable for its historical context. The poem is a timeless reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it while we can.
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