'THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL' by Robert Herrick
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THE FAIRY TEMPLE; OR, OBERON'S CHAPEL
DEDICATED TO MR JOHN MERRIFIELD,
COUNSELLOR AT LAW
RARE TEMPLES THOU HAST SEEN, I KNOW,
AND RICH FOR IN AND OUTWARD SHOW;
SURVEY THIS CHAPEL BUILT, ALONE,
WITHOUT OR LIME, OR WOOD, OR STONE.
THEN SAY, IF ONE THOU'ST SEEN MORE FINE
THAN THIS, THE FAIRIES' ONCE, NOW THINE.
THE TEMPLE
A way enchaced with glass and beads
There is, that to the Chapel leads;
Whose structure, for his holy rest,
Is here the Halcyon's curious nest;
Into the which who looks, shall see
His Temple of Idolatry;
Where he of god-heads has such store,
As Rome's Pantheon had not more.
His house of Rimmon this he calls,
Girt with small bones, instead of walls.
First in a niche, more black than jet,
His idol-cricket there is set;
Then in a polish'd oval by
There stands his idol-beetle-fly;
Next, in an arch, akin to this,
His idol-canker seated is.
Then in a round, is placed by these
His golden god, Cantharides.
So that where'er ye look, ye see
No capital, no cornice free,
Or frieze, from this fine frippery.
Now this the Fairies would have known,
Theirs is a mixt religion:
And some have heard the elves it call
Part Pagan, part Papistical.
If unto me all tongues were granted,
I could not speak the saints here painted.
Saint Tit, Saint Nit, Saint Is, Saint Itis,
Who 'gainst Mab's state placed here right is.
Saint Will o' th' Wisp, of no great bigness,
But, alias, call'd here FATUUS IGNIS.
Saint Frip, Saint Trip, Saint Fill, Saint Filly;--
Neither those other saint-ships will I
Here go about for to recite
Their number, almost infinite;
Which, one by one, here set down are
In this most curious calendar.
First, at the entrance of the gate,
A little puppet-priest doth wait,
Who squeaks to all the comers there,
'Favour your tongues, who enter here.
'Pure hands bring hither, without stain.'
A second pules, 'Hence, hence, profane!'
Hard by, i' th' shell of half a nut,
The holy-water there is put;
A little brush of squirrels' hairs,
Composed of odd, not even pairs,
Stands in the platter, or close by,
To purge the fairy family.
Near to the altar stands the priest,
There offering up the holy-grist;
Ducking in mood and perfect tense,
With (much good do't him) reverence.
The altar is not here four-square,
Nor in a form triangular;
Nor made of glass, or wood, or stone,
But of a little transverse bone;
Which boys and bruckel'd children call
(Playing for points and pins) cockall.
Whose linen-drapery is a thin,
Sub|ile, and ductile codling's skin;
Which o'er the board is smoothly spread
With little seal-work damasked.
The fringe that circumbinds it, too,
Is spangle-work of trembling dew,
Which, gently gleaming, makes a show,
Like frost-work glitt'ring on the snow.
Upon this fetuous board doth stand
Something for shew-bread, and at hand
(Just in the middle of the altar)
Upon an end, the Fairy-psalter,
Graced with the trout-flies' curious wings,
Which serve for watchet ribbonings.
Now, we must know, the elves are led
Right by the Rubric, which they read:
And if report of them be true,
They have their text for what they do;
Ay, and their book of canons too.
And, as Sir Thomas Parson tells,
They have their book of articles;
And if that Fairy knight not lies
They have their book of homilies;
And other Scriptures, that design
A short, but righteous discipline.
The bason stands the board upon
To take the free-oblation;
A little pin-dust, which they hold
More precious than we prize our gold;
Which charity they give to many
Poor of the parish, if there's any.
Upon the ends of these neat rails,
Hatch'd with the silver-light of snails,
The elves, in formal manner, fix
Two pure and holy candlesticks,
In either which a tall small bent
Burns for the altar's ornament.
For sanctity, they have, to these,
Their curious copes and surplices
Of cleanest cobweb, hanging by
In their religious vestery.
They have their ash-pans and their brooms,
To purge the chapel and the rooms;
Their many mumbling mass-priests here,
And many a dapper chorister.
Their ush'ring vergers here likewise,
Their canons and their chaunteries;
Of cloister-monks they have enow,
Ay, and their abbey-lubbers too:--
And if their legend do not lie,
They much affect the papacy;
And since the last is dead, there's hope
Elve Boniface shall next be Pope.
They have their cups and chalices,
Their pardons and indulgences,
Their beads of nits, bells, books, and wax-
Candles, forsooth, and other knacks;
Their holy oil, their fasting-spittle,
Their sacred salt here, not a little.
Dry chips, old shoes, rags, grease, and bones,
Beside their fumigations.
Many a trifle, too, and trinket,
And for what use, scarce man would think it.
Next then, upon the chanter's side
An apple's-core is hung up dried,
With rattling kernels, which is rung
To call to morn and even-song.
The saint, to which the most he prays
And offers incense nights and days,
The lady of the lobster is,
Whose foot-pace he doth stroke and kiss,
And, humbly, chives of saffron brings
For his most cheerful offerings.
When, after these, he's paid his vows,
He lowly to the altar bows;
And then he dons the silk-worm's shed,
Like a Turk's turban on his head,
And reverently departeth thence,
Hid in a cloud of frankincense;
And by the glow-worm's light well guided,
Goes to the Feast that's now provided.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel: An Interpretation
Can you imagine a world where fairies and other magical creatures exist? A world where they have their own place of worship, and humans are not allowed to enter? Robert Herrick, a 17th-century poet, paints such a world in his poem "The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel." This literary work is a beautiful blend of mythology, folklore, and religious imagery. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this classic poetry.
Background
Before diving into the poem, let's take a moment to understand the historical context in which it was written. Robert Herrick was a poet and a clergyman, born in London in 1591. He lived in a time when the monarchs of England were shifting from Catholicism to Protestantism. This religious turmoil had a significant impact on Herrick's poetry. He wrote several poems with religious themes, such as "The Church-Porch" and "Litany To The Holy Spirit." However, Herrick was not just a religious poet. He wrote about various subjects, including love, nature, and mythology. "The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel" is one such poem that showcases his interest in folklore and mythology.
The Poetic Form
"The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel" is a long poem consisting of 57 stanzas, each containing six lines. The poetic form used is called the "rondeau," which originated in France. In a rondeau, the first part of the first line is repeated as a refrain at the end of the second and third lines. The same refrain appears again in the middle and at the end of the last three lines. The repetition of the refrain creates a sense of unity and cohesion in the poem.
The Poem
The poem begins with an invocation to the fairies, asking them to help the poet compose a song worthy of their praise. The poet then describes the location of the fairy temple. It is located in a forest, surrounded by trees and flowers of various colors. The entrance to the temple is guarded by a "little door," which only fairies can enter. The temple itself is made of "brier-roots" and "cobweb-lawn," and the altar is adorned with "poppies" and "lilies."
The poem then describes the fairies themselves. They are depicted as tiny, winged creatures, wearing colorful clothing and carrying wands. The fairies are also described as mischievous and unpredictable. They can appear and disappear at will and play pranks on humans.
The rest of the poem consists of the poet praising the fairies and their temple. He speaks of their beauty, their joyous nature, and their ability to bring happiness to humans. The poem ends with the poet asking the fairies to bless him and to protect him from harm.
Interpretation
At first glance, "The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel" may seem like a simple poem about fairies. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the poem has a deeper meaning.
The poem can be interpreted as a commentary on the human desire for a connection with the divine. The fairy temple represents a sacred space, a place where the fairies can communicate with their gods. The temple is adorned with beautiful flowers and plants, symbolizing the beauty and wonder of the divine. The fairies themselves represent the intermediaries between humans and the divine. They are able to communicate with the gods and bring blessings and happiness to humans.
The poem can also be interpreted as a critique of organized religion. The poet describes the fairy temple as a place where anyone can enter and worship. There are no rules or restrictions on who can enter the temple. This stands in contrast to organized religion, which often places restrictions on who can enter places of worship. The fact that the fairy temple is located in a forest, away from civilization, also suggests that the poet is criticizing the idea of organized religion as a tool of societal control.
The fairies themselves can be interpreted as a symbol of the human imagination. They represent the ability of humans to imagine and create mystical and magical worlds. The fact that the fairies are mischievous and unpredictable also suggests that the poet is acknowledging the danger that comes with human imagination. Just as the fairies can play pranks on humans, our imaginations can lead us down dangerous paths.
Finally, the use of the rondeau poetic form is significant. The repetition of the refrain creates a sense of unity and cohesion in the poem. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the unity and harmony that can be achieved through worship and spirituality.
Conclusion
"The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel" is a beautiful and complex poem that can be interpreted in many ways. It is a commentary on the human desire for a connection with the divine, a critique of organized religion, and a celebration of the human imagination. The use of the rondeau poetic form adds to the poem's unity and cohesion. Overall, "The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel" is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and provoke thought centuries after it was written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet. This poem is a beautiful and enchanting piece of literature that takes the reader on a journey through a magical world of fairies and their temple. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem to understand its significance and beauty.
The poem is divided into three parts, each describing a different aspect of the fairy temple. The first part describes the temple's exterior, the second part describes the interior, and the third part describes the fairies' activities inside the temple. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which give it a musical quality and make it easy to read.
The poem begins with an introduction to the fairy temple, which is described as a place of beauty and wonder. The temple is located in a forest, surrounded by trees and flowers, and is made of precious stones and metals. The exterior of the temple is decorated with carvings of flowers, birds, and other natural elements, which give it a sense of harmony with nature.
In the second part of the poem, the reader is taken inside the temple, where they are greeted by the fairies. The interior of the temple is described as a place of light and music, where the fairies dance and sing. The walls of the temple are made of crystal, which reflects the light and creates a dazzling effect. The fairies are described as beautiful and graceful, with wings like butterflies and dresses made of flowers.
The third part of the poem describes the activities of the fairies inside the temple. The fairies are shown dancing, singing, and playing musical instruments. They are also shown performing rituals and ceremonies, which are described as mysterious and enchanting. The poem ends with a description of the fairies' departure from the temple, as they fly away into the night sky.
The themes of the poem are centered around the beauty and wonder of nature, the magic of the fairy world, and the power of imagination. The poem celebrates the beauty of nature and its ability to inspire wonder and awe in the human heart. It also celebrates the magic of the fairy world, which represents the power of imagination and the human desire for enchantment and mystery.
The language used in the poem is rich and evocative, with vivid descriptions of the temple and the fairies. The use of rhyming couplets gives the poem a musical quality, which adds to its enchanting effect. The poem also uses a lot of imagery, which helps to create a vivid picture of the fairy world in the reader's mind.
In conclusion, The Fairy Temple; or, Oberon's Chapel is a beautiful and enchanting poem that celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature, the magic of the fairy world, and the power of imagination. The poem takes the reader on a journey through a magical world of fairies and their temple, and leaves them with a sense of awe and wonder. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and enchant, and it is a true masterpiece of English literature.
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