'THE HOCK-CART, OR HARVEST HOME:TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MILDMAY, EARL OF WESTMORLAND' by Robert Herrick


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Come, Sons of Summer, by whose toil
We are the lords of wine and oil:
By whose tough labours, and rough hands,
We rip up first, then reap our lands.
Crown'd with the ears of corn, now come,
And, to the pipe, sing Harvest Home.

Come forth, my lord, and see the cart
Drest up with all the country art.
See, here a maukin, there a sheet,
As spotless pure, as it is sweet:
The horses, mares, and frisking fillies,
Clad, all, in linen white as lilies.
The harvest swains and wenches bound
For joy, to see the Hock-Cart crown'd.
About the cart, hear, how the rout
Of rural younglings raise the shout;
Pressing before, some coming after,
Those with a shout, and these with laughter.
Some bless the cart; some kiss the sheaves;
Some prank them up with oaken leaves:
Some cross the fill-horse; some with great
Devotion, stroke the home-borne wheat:
While other rustics, less attent
To prayers, than to merriment,
Run after with their breeches rent.
--Well, on, brave boys, to your lord's hearth,
Glitt'ring with fire; where, for your mirth,
Ye shall see first the large and chief
Foundation of your feast, fat beef;
With upper stories, mutton, veal
And bacon, which makes full the meal,
With sev'ral dishes standing by,
As here a custard, there a pie,
And here, all tempting frumenty.
And for to make the merry cheer,
If smirking wine be wanting here,
There's that which drowns all care, stout beer:
Which freely drink to your lord's health
Then to the plough, the common-wealth;
Next to your flails, your fanes, your vats;
Then to the maids with wheaten hats:
To the rough sickle, and crookt scythe,--
Drink, frolic, boys, till all be blythe.
Feed, and grow fat; and as ye eat,
Be mindful, that the lab'ring neat,
As you, may have their fill of meat.
And know, besides, ye must revoke
The patient ox unto the yoke,
And all go back unto the plough
And harrow, though they're hang'd up now.
And, you must know, your lord's word's true,
Feed him ye must, whose food fills you;
And that this pleasure is like rain,
Not sent ye for to drown your pain,
But for to make it spring again.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home: To The Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmorland by Robert Herrick

Have you ever read a poem that makes you long for the simpler times of old? A time when life was slower and people were more connected to nature and the land? Well, if you haven't, then you need to read Robert Herrick's classic poem, The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home: To The Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmorland.

This poem is a celebration of the harvest season and the joyous tradition of bringing in the last load of the harvest in a cart decorated with flowers and ribbons. It is a time for the community to come together and celebrate their hard work and the abundance of the land.

The Joy of Harvest

Herrick paints a picture of a community that is alive with joy and celebration. Everyone is out in the fields, working hard to bring in the crop, but they are also taking time to enjoy each other's company and revel in the beauty of the natural world. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the sights, sounds, and smells of the harvest season.

He writes:

Come, sons of summer, by whose toil We are the lords of wine and oil; By whose tough labours, and rough hands, We rip up first, then reap our lands.

These lines capture the hard work and dedication of the farmers who are responsible for bringing in the harvest. They also capture the sense of pride and ownership that these farmers feel over the land they have worked so hard to cultivate.

A Time for Celebration

But the poem is not just about hard work and dedication. It is also about celebration and community. The Hock-Cart tradition is a time for people to come together and celebrate the fruits of their labour. The cart is decorated with flowers and ribbons, and the community comes together to sing and dance in celebration.

Herrick writes:

Come, let us go while we are in our prime, And take the harmless folly of the time! We shall grow old apace, and die Before we know our liberty.

These lines capture the sense of urgency and joy that the community feels during the harvest season. It is a time to throw caution to the wind and enjoy life to the fullest.

The Importance of Tradition

The Hock-Cart tradition is not just a time for celebration. It is also a time for reflection and remembrance. The poem is filled with references to old traditions and customs that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Herrick writes:

Come, let's abroad; and let's obey The proclamation made for May: And sin no more, as we have done, by staying; But my Corinna, come, let's go a-Maying!

These lines capture the sense of continuity and tradition that is so important to the community. They also capture the sense of reverence and respect that the community has for the land and the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home: To The Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmorland is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the joy of the harvest season and the importance of community and tradition. It is a reminder of the simple pleasures of life and the importance of taking time to celebrate and reflect on the things that matter most. So, if you haven't read this poem yet, I suggest you do so immediately. You won't be disappointed!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home: To the Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmorland, is a classic poem written by Robert Herrick. This poem is a celebration of the harvest season, and it is a tribute to the Earl of Westmorland, who was a patron of the arts and a supporter of Herrick's work. The poem is a beautiful example of Herrick's lyrical style, and it captures the essence of the harvest season in a way that is both poetic and profound.

The poem begins with a description of the harvest season, with the fields ripe and ready for the harvest. The poem then moves on to describe the Hock-Cart, which is a cart that is used to transport the harvest from the fields to the barns. The Hock-Cart is decorated with flowers and ribbons, and it is pulled by oxen that are adorned with garlands. The poem describes the scene in vivid detail, with the colors and scents of the flowers and the sounds of the oxen and the people who are celebrating the harvest.

The poem then moves on to describe the people who are celebrating the harvest. The villagers are described as being happy and joyful, and they are all dressed in their best clothes. The men are described as being strong and muscular, and the women are described as being beautiful and graceful. The poem captures the sense of community that is present during the harvest season, with everyone coming together to celebrate the bounty of the land.

The poem then turns to the Earl of Westmorland, who is the patron of the arts and a supporter of Herrick's work. The poem is a tribute to the Earl, and it describes him as being a wise and noble man who is loved by all. The poem praises the Earl for his support of the arts, and it thanks him for his generosity and kindness.

The poem ends with a call to action, urging the villagers to continue to celebrate the harvest season and to honor the Earl of Westmorland. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the harvest season, and it captures the essence of the season in a way that is both poetic and profound.

One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its use of imagery. Herrick uses vivid descriptions of the colors, scents, and sounds of the harvest season to create a rich and immersive experience for the reader. The poem is filled with images of flowers, ribbons, oxen, and people, all of which combine to create a sense of joy and celebration.

Another notable aspect of this poem is its use of language. Herrick's lyrical style is on full display in this poem, with his use of rhyme and meter creating a musical quality that is both beautiful and engaging. The poem is a joy to read, with its rhythmic cadence and melodic language drawing the reader in and immersing them in the world of the harvest season.

The poem is also notable for its themes. The poem celebrates the harvest season and the bounty of the land, but it also celebrates community and the importance of coming together to celebrate and honor the things that are important to us. The poem is a tribute to the Earl of Westmorland, but it is also a tribute to the people who work the land and who come together to celebrate the harvest season.

In conclusion, The Hock-Cart, or Harvest Home: To the Right Honourable Mildmay, Earl of Westmorland, is a beautiful and lyrical poem that celebrates the harvest season and the importance of community. Herrick's use of imagery and language creates a rich and immersive experience for the reader, and the poem's themes of celebration and community are both timeless and profound. This poem is a classic example of Herrick's work, and it is a testament to his skill as a poet and his ability to capture the essence of the world around him in a way that is both beautiful and meaningful.

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