'CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE' by Robert Herrick
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Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and misletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas hall;
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind;
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
So many goblins you shall see.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Celebratory Ode to Candlemas Eve
Robert Herrick's "Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve" is a vibrant ode that paints a vivid picture of the customs and rituals of Candlemas Eve. With his impeccable use of language, Herrick captures the essence of the festive atmosphere, the joyous celebrations, and the spiritual significance of the occasion. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the poem and explore its themes, structure, and language.
The Themes of the Poem
At its core, "Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve" is a celebration of light and rebirth. The poem is set on the eve of Candlemas, which is traditionally celebrated on February 2nd, forty days after Christmas. Candlemas marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of spring. It is a time when people light candles to dispel the darkness of winter and welcome the coming of the light.
Herrick's poem captures the festive spirit of Candlemas Eve in all its glory. The poem is a tribute to the customs and rituals that are associated with the occasion. It celebrates the lighting of candles, the singing of hymns, the ringing of bells, and the joyous celebrations that accompany the occasion.
The Structure of the Poem
"Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve" is a lyric poem that consists of ten stanzas of four lines each. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of AABB, which gives it a musical quality. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line contains four iambs. An iamb is a metrical foot that consists of two syllables, with the first syllable unstressed and the second syllable stressed.
The strict rhyme scheme and the regular meter give the poem a sense of order and structure. The poem flows smoothly, like a song, and captures the rhythm of the celebrations that it describes.
The Language of the Poem
Herrick's use of language is one of the most striking features of the poem. He uses a range of poetic devices to create a rich and vivid sensory experience for the reader.
One of the most prominent poetic devices that Herrick employs is imagery. The poem is filled with images of light, candles, bells, and music. These images create a sense of warmth and joy that permeates the entire poem.
Another poetic device that Herrick uses is repetition. The refrain "Down with the rosemary and bays" is repeated at the end of each stanza. This repetition creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem.
Herrick also uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality in the poem. The repetition of consonant and vowel sounds creates a pleasing rhythm that adds to the festive atmosphere of the poem.
The Interpretation of the Poem
At its core, "Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve" is a celebration of light and rebirth. The poem captures the joyous celebrations that accompany the occasion and the spiritual significance of the lighting of candles.
The poem also celebrates the coming of spring and the renewal of life. The line "Then to come in spite of sorrow / And at my window bid good morrow" captures the sense of hope and renewal that is associated with the coming of spring.
In addition, the poem celebrates the traditions and customs that are associated with the occasion. The lighting of candles, the singing of hymns, and the ringing of bells are all part of the rich cultural heritage that is celebrated on Candlemas Eve.
Overall, "Ceremony upon Candlemas Eve" is a joyous and celebratory ode that captures the essence of the traditions and customs of Candlemas Eve. Herrick's use of language, imagery, and poetic devices creates a rich and vivid sensory experience for the reader that captures the festive spirit of the occasion.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE: A Celebration of Light and Love
Robert Herrick's "Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the Christian holiday of Candlemas, which falls on February 2nd, forty days after Christmas. The poem is a rich tapestry of images and symbols that evoke the warmth and light of the season, as well as the deeper spiritual meanings of the holiday.
The poem begins with a description of the preparations for the Candlemas Eve ceremony, which involves the lighting of candles and the singing of hymns. Herrick writes:
"Down with the rosemary and bays, Down with the mistletoe; Instead of holly, now upraise The greener box, for show."
These lines set the scene for the ceremony, which involves the replacement of the traditional Christmas decorations with new ones that symbolize the coming of spring. The rosemary and bays, which were used to decorate homes during the Christmas season, are taken down, and the mistletoe, which was associated with fertility and love, is also removed. In their place, the greener box is raised, symbolizing the new growth of the season.
The poem then goes on to describe the lighting of the candles, which is the central ritual of the Candlemas Eve ceremony. Herrick writes:
"The holly hitherto did sway; She stood the queen of Christmas-day; But now, alas! she is not seen, Though she hath evergreen been."
These lines suggest that the holly, which was the traditional symbol of Christmas, has now been replaced by the candles, which represent the light of Christ. The candles are lit in honor of the Virgin Mary, who is celebrated on Candlemas as the mother of Jesus.
The poem then turns to a description of the singing that accompanies the lighting of the candles. Herrick writes:
"Go, maid, some virgin waxen bring, And lights them at the taper's flame; And hang them up in glittering string, Then make an honour to His name."
These lines suggest that the candles are not only a symbol of Christ's light, but also a symbol of the love and devotion of the faithful. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by the singing of hymns, which express the joy and wonder of the season.
The poem then concludes with a beautiful image of the candles burning brightly in the darkness. Herrick writes:
"This night is famed for candles; and for tears: For, since the sun is fled, Weeping oaks their tearful branches bear, And phoebus doth decline his head."
These lines suggest that the Candlemas Eve ceremony is a time of both joy and sorrow. The candles represent the light of Christ, but they also symbolize the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The weeping oaks and the declining sun are symbols of this transience, reminding us that even as we celebrate the light of Christ, we must also be mindful of our own mortality.
In conclusion, "Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve" is a beautiful and evocative poem that celebrates the Christian holiday of Candlemas. Through its rich tapestry of images and symbols, the poem captures the warmth and light of the season, as well as the deeper spiritual meanings of the holiday. Whether read as a celebration of the coming of spring, a tribute to the Virgin Mary, or a meditation on the transience of life, this poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to inspire and delight readers today.
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