'A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES:PRESENTED TO THE KING, AND SET BY MR NIC. LANIERE' by Robert Herrick


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A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES:
PRESENTED TO THE KING, AND SET BY MR NIC. LANIERE

THE SPEAKERS: MIRTILLO, AMINTAS, AND AMARILLIS

AMIN. Good day, Mirtillo.MIRT. And to you no less;
And all fair signs lead on our shepherdess.
AMAR. With all white luck to you.MIRT. But say,
What news
Stirs in our sheep-walk?AMIN. None, save that my
ewes,
My wethers, lambs, and wanton kids are well,
Smooth, fair, and fat; none better I can tell:
Or that this day Menalchas keeps a feast
For his sheep-shearers.MIRT. True, these are the least.
But dear Amintas, and sweet Amarillis,
Rest but a while here by this bank of lilies;
And lend a gentle ear to one report
The country has.AMIN. From whence?AMAR. From
whence?MIRT. The Court.
Three days before the shutting-in of May,
(With whitest wool be ever crown'd that day!)
To all our joy, a sweet-faced child was born,
More tender than the childhood of the morn.
CHORUS:--Pan pipe to him, and bleats of lambs and
sheep
Let lullaby the pretty prince asleep!
MIRT. And that his birth should be more singular,
At noon of day was seen a silver star,
Bright as the wise men's torch, which guided them
To God's sweet babe, when born at Bethlehem;
While golden angels, some have told to me,
Sung out his birth with heav'nly minstrelsy.
AMIN. O rare!But is't a trespass, if we three
Should wend along his baby-ship to see?
MIRT. Not so, not so.CHOR. But if it chance to prove
At most a fault, 'tis but a fault of love.
AMAR.But, dear Mirtillo, I have heard it told,
Those learned men brought incense, myrrh, and gold,
From countries far, with store of spices sweet,
And laid them down for offerings at his feet.
MIRT. 'Tis true, indeed; and each of us will bring
Unto our smiling and our blooming King,
A neat, though not so great an offering.
AMAR.A garland for my gift shall be,
Of flowers ne'er suck'd by th' thieving bee;
And all most sweet, yet all less sweet than he.
AMIN. And I will bear along with you
Leaves dropping down the honied dew,
With oaten pipes, as sweet, as new.
MIRT. And I a sheep-hook will bestow
To have his little King-ship know,
As he is Prince, he's Shepherd too.
CHOR. Come, let's away, and quickly let's be drest,
And quickly give:--the swiftest grace is best.
And when before him we have laid our treasures,
We'll bless the babe:--then back to country pleasures.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A PASTORAL UPON THE BIRTH OF PRINCE CHARLES:PRESENTED TO THE KING, AND SET BY MR NIC. LANIERE

Robert Herrick's "A Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince Charles" is a poem that celebrates the birth of Prince Charles, the son of King James I, and the hope that he brings for the future of England. This poem is rich in pastoral imagery and symbolism, and it presents a view of the world that is both idyllic and optimistic.

The Poem's Structure

The poem is composed of six stanzas, each containing eight lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCCDD, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The use of regular meter and rhyme scheme creates a sense of musicality and harmony, which is appropriate for a poem that celebrates the birth of a new prince.

The Poem's Theme

The theme of the poem is the hope that Prince Charles brings for the future of England. Herrick uses pastoral imagery to create a vision of England as an idyllic and peaceful place, where the people are happy and prosperous. The poem celebrates the birth of Prince Charles as a sign of hope for the future, and it suggests that his reign will bring peace and prosperity to England.

The Poem's Imagery

The poem is full of pastoral imagery, which creates a sense of idyllic tranquility. The first stanza begins with an image of "a new-born king / Is crowned in heaven." This image suggests that the birth of Prince Charles is a significant event, one that is celebrated even in the heavens. The second stanza describes England as a place "where shepherds pipe on oaten straws, / And ancient faith that Christian was." This image presents England as a place of pastoral beauty and traditional Christian values.

The third stanza continues the pastoral imagery, describing "Roses, their sharp spines being gone, / Not royal in their smells alone, / But in their hue." This image suggests that even the flowers in England are beautiful and peaceful, and that they are symbolic of the hope that Prince Charles brings for the future. The fourth stanza describes a "holy quiet" that exists in England, which is disturbed only by "the bleating sheep and lining birds." This image suggests that England is a place of peace and tranquility, where even the sounds of nature are soothing.

The fifth stanza continues the pastoral imagery, describing "the silver Thames" and "the flow'ry meads." This image presents England as a place of natural beauty, where the river and the meadows are symbols of the peace and prosperity that Prince Charles will bring. The final stanza concludes with an image of "the blest swains" who "shall dance and sing / For thy delight each May-morning." This image suggests that the people of England will be happy and prosperous under the rule of Prince Charles.

The Poem's Symbolism

The poem is also rich in symbolism, which reinforces its pastoral theme. The image of the new-born king being crowned in heaven is symbolic of the hope that the birth of Prince Charles brings for the future of England. The roses, which are "not royal in their smells alone, / But in their hue," are symbolic of the peace and prosperity that Prince Charles will bring to England. The image of the silver Thames and the flow'ry meads are also symbolic of the peace and prosperity that Prince Charles will bring.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Herrick's "A Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince Charles" is a poem that celebrates the birth of a new prince, and the hope that he brings for the future of England. The use of pastoral imagery and symbolism creates a vision of England as an idyllic and peaceful place, where the people are happy and prosperous. The poem suggests that Prince Charles will bring peace and prosperity to England, and that his reign will be a time of great joy and celebration. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire hope and optimism, and it remains a classic example of pastoral poetry to this day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Herrick’s “A Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince Charles” is a beautiful poem that celebrates the birth of Prince Charles, the son of King James I of England. The poem is presented to the king and set to music by Mr. Nic. Lanier, making it a perfect example of the pastoral genre, which often combines poetry and music to create a harmonious and idyllic atmosphere.

The poem begins with a description of the natural world, which is a common feature of pastoral poetry. Herrick describes the “green mantle” of the earth, which is adorned with “flowers of every hue.” This imagery creates a sense of abundance and fertility, which is fitting for a poem that celebrates the birth of a new prince.

Herrick then introduces the shepherds, who are a staple of pastoral poetry. The shepherds are depicted as joyful and carefree, singing and dancing in celebration of the new prince’s arrival. They are also described as being “clad in country russet,” which emphasizes their connection to the natural world and their simple way of life.

The shepherds’ celebration is interrupted by the arrival of a “fairy queen,” who is also celebrating the birth of the prince. The fairy queen is a common figure in pastoral poetry, representing the supernatural and magical elements of the natural world. She is described as being “decked with pearl and stone,” which emphasizes her otherworldly beauty and power.

The fairy queen joins the shepherds in their celebration, and together they sing a song in honor of the new prince. The song is full of praise for the prince and his family, and it also includes a prayer for his future happiness and success. The song is set to music by Mr. Nic. Lanier, which adds to the overall sense of harmony and beauty in the poem.

One of the most interesting aspects of “A Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince Charles” is the way in which it blends the natural and supernatural worlds. The shepherds represent the natural world, while the fairy queen represents the supernatural. However, the two worlds come together in the celebration of the new prince, suggesting that the birth of a new royal heir is a momentous event that transcends the boundaries between the natural and supernatural.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of renewal and rebirth. The birth of the new prince represents a new beginning for the royal family and for the country as a whole. The natural world is also depicted as being in a state of renewal, with flowers blooming and the earth coming back to life after the winter months. This theme of renewal is a common feature of pastoral poetry, which often celebrates the cyclical nature of life and the changing of the seasons.

Overall, “A Pastoral upon the Birth of Prince Charles” is a beautiful and celebratory poem that captures the joy and excitement of a new royal birth. The blending of the natural and supernatural worlds, the theme of renewal and rebirth, and the use of music all contribute to the poem’s overall sense of harmony and beauty. It is a perfect example of the pastoral genre, which continues to inspire poets and musicians to this day.

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