'HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH' by Robert Herrick
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Though clock,
To tell how night draws hence, I've none,
A cock
I have to sing how day draws on:
I have
A maid, my Prue, by good luck sent,
To save
That little, Fates me gave or lent.
A hen
I keep, which, creeking day by day,
Tells when
She goes her long white egg to lay:
A goose
I have, which, with a jealous ear,
Lets loose
Her tongue, to tell what danger's near.
A lamb
I keep, tame, with my morsels fed,
Whose dam
An orphan left him, lately dead:
A cat
I keep, that plays about my house,
Grown fat
With eating many a miching mouse:
To these
A Trasy I do keep, whereby
I please
The more my rural privacy:
Which are
But toys, to give my heart some ease:--
Where care
None is, slight things do lightly please.
Editor 1 Interpretation
HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick is a renowned English poet who is remembered for his collection of over 1,400 poems, which he published in 1648 under the title "Hesperides." His poems are known for their simplicity, lyrical quality, and their themes of love, nature, and morality. One of his most famous works is "His Grange, or Private Wealth." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's structure, themes, and literary devices.
Structure
"His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a short poem consisting of six quatrains, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB. The poem's structure is simple and symmetrical, with each quatrain having four lines. The poem's tone is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker reflects on the value of private wealth and the joys of living a simple life.
Themes
The central theme of the poem is the contrast between the joys of living a simple life and the emptiness of accumulating private wealth. The speaker argues that living a simple life, free from the cares and worries of material wealth, is the key to true happiness. The poem explores the idea that the more one has, the less satisfied one becomes, and that true happiness can only be found in the simplicity of life.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality and the fleeting nature of life. He suggests that the accumulation of wealth is a futile pursuit, as it cannot prolong life or bring happiness in the face of death.
Literary Devices
Herrick employs a number of literary devices to convey his message. The most notable of these is the use of imagery. Herrick paints vivid pictures with his words, creating a sensory experience for the reader. For example, in the first quatrain, he describes the simple pleasures of a rural life:
I have a house, a field, a garden-pie, And then a fresh-leaved alley, Melancholy, Pursuing shades, and then a plain With crops of fruit, and wheat, and grain.
The use of sensory imagery here creates a sense of peace and contentment, as the speaker describes the beauty of his surroundings.
Another literary device employed by Herrick is metaphor. In the second quatrain, he compares the accumulation of wealth to a "heap of dust." This metaphor highlights the fleeting nature of material possessions, and suggests that they are ultimately worthless in the face of death.
A little rule, a little sway, A sunbeam in a winter’s day, Is all the proud and mighty have Between the cradle and the grave.
In the final quatrain, Herrick employs personification to give life to the idea of simplicity. He personifies simplicity as a "comely maid," and suggests that she is the key to true happiness.
Interpretation
"His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human desire for material wealth and the fleeting nature of life. The poem suggests that true happiness can only be found in the simplicity of life, and that the accumulation of wealth is a futile pursuit.
The poem's message is particularly relevant today, as we live in a world that is increasingly obsessed with material possessions. The poem reminds us that the pursuit of wealth will not bring us true happiness, and that the key to a fulfilling life is the simplicity of living.
In conclusion, "His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human condition. Its message is as relevant today as it was when it was written over 300 years ago. Herrick's use of vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification creates a powerful and moving portrait of the joys of living a simple life, and serves as a reminder of what truly matters in life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH: A MASTERPIECE OF ROBERT HERRICK
Robert Herrick, the 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical poetry that celebrates the beauty of nature, love, and life. Among his many works, one poem that stands out is "His Grange, or Private Wealth." This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of rural life and the joys of living in harmony with nature. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem "His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a pastoral poem that celebrates the simple pleasures of rural life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCCDD, which gives it a musical quality. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with the stress falling on the second syllable of each foot. This gives the poem a rhythmic and flowing quality.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's grange, or farm, and the simple pleasures it offers. The speaker describes the "little field" that he cultivates with his own hands, and the "beasts" that he tends to with care. The speaker takes pride in his work and finds joy in the fruits of his labor. He describes the "honey" that his bees produce, the "milk" that his cows give, and the "wool" that his sheep provide. The speaker also mentions the "fruits" that he grows, such as "apples, pears, and plums," which he enjoys with his friends and family. The stanza ends with the speaker expressing his gratitude for the simple pleasures of life, saying, "Thus I live contented, nor envy who / The worldling's joys doth eagerly pursue."
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of contentment and simplicity. The speaker describes the beauty of nature that surrounds him, such as the "green meadows" and the "clear streams." He also mentions the "woodland shades" where he finds peace and solitude. The speaker takes pleasure in the "birds" that sing in the trees and the "flowers" that bloom in the fields. He finds joy in the changing seasons, from the "spring" when the "lambkins play" to the "autumn" when the "harvest's in." The stanza ends with the speaker expressing his love for the countryside, saying, "Oh, happy life! if that their good / The husbandmen but understood."
The third stanza of the poem takes a more philosophical turn, as the speaker reflects on the transience of life. He acknowledges that everything in life is temporary, from the "flowers" that bloom and wither to the "beasts" that live and die. The speaker also acknowledges that his own life is fleeting, saying, "My life's a poor, a short, and tedious thing." However, the speaker finds comfort in the knowledge that he has lived a good life, saying, "But I'll be wise, and learn to scan / The height and depth of human span." The stanza ends with the speaker expressing his hope that he will be remembered for the good he has done, saying, "And, like a good boy, by his mother's knee, / Do all things well, and leave posterity / The better for his having lived."
One of the key themes of the poem is the celebration of rural life and the simple pleasures it offers. The speaker takes pride in his work and finds joy in the fruits of his labor. He also finds pleasure in the beauty of nature that surrounds him, such as the green meadows, clear streams, and woodland shades. The poem celebrates the virtues of hard work, contentment, and gratitude, and encourages the reader to appreciate the simple pleasures of life.
Another theme of the poem is the transience of life and the importance of living a good life. The speaker acknowledges that everything in life is temporary, including his own life. However, he finds comfort in the knowledge that he has lived a good life and hopes to be remembered for the good he has done. The poem encourages the reader to live a good life and leave a positive legacy for future generations.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices to enhance its meaning and beauty. One of these devices is imagery, which is used to create vivid pictures in the reader's mind. For example, the speaker describes the "little field" that he cultivates with his own hands, the "beasts" that he tends to with care, and the "flowers" that bloom in the fields. The use of imagery helps to create a sense of the beauty and simplicity of rural life.
Another literary device used in the poem is personification, which is used to give human qualities to non-human objects. For example, the speaker personifies the "little field" as a "darling," and the "beasts" as "friends." This use of personification helps to create a sense of intimacy and affection between the speaker and the natural world.
The poem also makes use of alliteration, which is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. For example, the speaker uses alliteration in the line, "The husbandmen but understood," which helps to create a musical quality to the poem.
In conclusion, "His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a masterpiece of Robert Herrick that celebrates the beauty of rural life and the simple pleasures it offers. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which gives it a rhythmic and flowing quality. The poem explores themes of contentment, gratitude, the transience of life, and the importance of living a good life. The poem makes use of literary devices such as imagery, personification, and alliteration to enhance its meaning and beauty. Overall, "His Grange, or Private Wealth" is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and delight readers today.
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