'Song To Celia - I' by Ben Jonson
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Come, my Celia, let us prove
While we may the sports of love;
Time will not be ours forever,
He at length our good will sever.
Spend not then his gifts in vain;
Suns that set may rise again,
But if once we lose this light,
'Tis with us perpetual night.
Why should we defer our joys?
Fame and rumour are but toys.
Cannot we delude the eyes
Of a few poor household spies?
Or his easier ears beguile,
So removed by our wile?
'Tis no sin love's fruits to steal;
But the sweet theft to reveal,
To be taken, to be seen,
These have crimes accounted been.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Song To Celia - I by Ben Jonson: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that seemed to be imbued with a certain kind of magic? A poem that touched your soul and lingered in your mind long after you had finished reading it? Ben Jonson's "Song To Celia - I" is one such poem. It is a classic poem that has captivated generations of readers with its beauty, simplicity, and emotional depth.
Background
Before delving into an analysis of the poem, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Ben Jonson was a celebrated English playwright and poet who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He was a contemporary of William Shakespeare, and his works were often compared to those of the great bard.
"Song To Celia - I" was written in the early 17th century, during the reign of King James I. It is part of a collection of poems called "The Forest," which was published in 1616. The poem was written in the form of a song, with the intention of being sung by a lover to his beloved.
Analysis
The poem is a beautiful expression of love and longing. It consists of three stanzas, each with four lines, and follows a simple rhyme scheme of ABAB.
The first stanza sets the tone of the poem, introducing the speaker's love for Celia. The speaker addresses Celia as "Drink to me only with thine eyes," which is a metaphorical way of saying that he desires only her love and attention. The line "And I will pledge with mine" is a promise that the speaker will reciprocate her love with his own.
The second stanza is a continuation of the first, with the speaker expressing his love for Celia in even more poetic and romantic terms. He compares her eyes to "the bright stars above," and her lips to "the softest things that be." The imagery used in this stanza is both beautiful and sensual, conjuring up a sense of intimacy and passion.
The final stanza is a plea from the speaker to Celia to remember him even when they are apart. He asks her to "remember all the while, / And think that I am with thee there." The final line, "And if thou wilt, forget, / Yet, Celia, thou art true," is a bittersweet acknowledgement that their love may not endure, but that it was true while it lasted.
Interpretation
The poem has been interpreted in many ways, but at its core, it is a simple love poem. The speaker is expressing his love for Celia and hoping that she will reciprocate it. The poem is filled with beautiful imagery and metaphors, but its emotional depth comes from the speaker's vulnerability and openness.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the speaker's fear of rejection. He is hesitant to declare his love outright, instead choosing to express it through metaphor and imagery. The line "Drink to me only with thine eyes" can be seen as a way of asking Celia to show her affection for him without risking rejection.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is an expression of the speaker's desire for a deeper connection with Celia. The line "And I will pledge with mine" is a promise to reciprocate her love, but it is also a plea for her to show him a level of emotional intimacy that he may not have experienced before.
Overall, the poem is a timeless expression of love and longing that continues to resonate with readers today. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and emotional honesty, which are qualities that transcend time and place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Song To Celia - I" by Ben Jonson is a beautiful poem that captures the essence of love and longing in a simple and elegant way. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its emotional depth and the universality of its message. Whether you are a lover of poetry or not, this poem is sure to touch your heart and leave you with a sense of awe and wonder at the power of words.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Song To Celia - I: A Classic Poem by Ben Jonson
Ben Jonson, a prominent English playwright and poet of the seventeenth century, is known for his contribution to the literary world. His works are characterized by their wit, humor, and profound insight into human nature. One of his most famous poems is "Song To Celia - I," which is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem is a lyrical ballad that was first published in 1616. It is also known as "Drink to me only with thine eyes." The poem is addressed to a woman named Celia, who is the object of the speaker's affection. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC.
The first stanza of the poem begins with the speaker expressing his love for Celia. He says, "Drink to me only with thine eyes, And I will pledge with mine." The speaker is asking Celia to express her love for him through her eyes. He is saying that he will reciprocate her love with his own. The use of the word "pledge" suggests that the speaker is willing to commit himself to Celia.
In the second stanza, the speaker talks about the power of love. He says, "Or leave a kiss but in the cup, And I'll not look for wine." The speaker is saying that a kiss from Celia is more valuable than any wine. He is willing to forego wine if he can have a kiss from Celia. This shows the depth of his love for her.
The third stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's devotion to Celia. He says, "The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine." The speaker is saying that his love for Celia is so intense that it can only be quenched by a divine drink. He is comparing his love to a thirst that can only be satisfied by something divine.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker talks about the power of music. He says, "But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine." The speaker is saying that even if he could drink the nectar of the gods, he would not trade it for Celia's love. This shows that the speaker values Celia's love above all else.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's desire for Celia. He says, "I sent thee late a rosy wreath, Not so much honoring thee, As giving it a hope that there It could not withered be." The speaker is saying that he sent Celia a wreath of roses as a symbol of his love for her. He is hoping that the wreath will not wither, just as his love for her will never fade away.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker expresses his hope that Celia will reciprocate his love. He says, "But thou thereon didst only breathe, And sent'st it back to me; Since when it grows, and smells, I swear, Not of itself, but thee!" The speaker is saying that Celia returned the wreath to him, but her breath has given it new life. He is saying that the wreath now smells of Celia, which is a symbol of her love for him.
In conclusion, "Song To Celia - I" is a beautiful expression of love and devotion. The poem is a lyrical ballad that is characterized by its wit, humor, and profound insight into human nature. The poem is addressed to a woman named Celia, who is the object of the speaker's affection. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is a common meter in English poetry. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC. The poem is a beautiful expression of the power of love, music, and devotion. It is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
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