'The Snayl' by Richard Lovelace
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Wise emblem of our politick world,
Sage Snayl, within thine own self curl'd,
Instruct me softly to make hast,
Whilst these my feet go slowly fast.
Compendious Snayl! thou seem'st to me
Large Euclid's strict epitome;
And in each diagram dost fling
Thee from the point unto the ring.
A figure now trianglare,
An oval now, and now a square,
And then a serpentine, dost crawl,
Now a straight line, now crook'd, now all.
Preventing rival of the day,
Th' art up and openest thy ray;
And ere the morn cradles the moon,
Th' art broke into a beauteous noon.
Then, when the Sun sups in the deep,
Thy silver horns e're Cinthia's peep;
And thou, from thine own liquid bed,
New Phoebus, heav'st thy pleasant head.
Who shall a name for thee create,
Deep riddle of mysterious state?
Bold Nature, that gives common birth
To all products of seas and earth,
Of thee, as earth-quakes, is afraid,
Nor will thy dire deliv'ry aid.
Thou, thine own daughter, then, and sire,
That son and mother art intire,
That big still with thy self dost go,
And liv'st an aged embrio;
That like the cubbs of India,
Thou from thy self a while dost play;
But frighted with a dog or gun,
In thine own belly thou dost run,
And as thy house was thine own womb,
So thine own womb concludes thy tomb.
But now I must (analys'd king)
Thy oeconomick virtues sing;
Thou great stay'd husband still within,
Thou thee that's thine dost discipline;
And when thou art to progress bent,
Thou mov'st thy self and tenement,
As warlike Scythians travayl'd, you
Remove your men and city too;
Then, after a sad dearth and rain,
Thou scatterest thy silver train;
And when the trees grow nak'd and old,
Thou cloathest them with cloth of gold,
Which from thy bowels thou dost spin,
And draw from the rich mines within.
Now hast thou chang'd thee, saint, and made
Thy self a fane that's cupula'd;
And in thy wreathed cloister thou
Walkest thine own gray fryer too;
Strickt and lock'd up, th'art hood all ore,
And ne'r eliminat'st thy dore.
On sallads thou dost feed severe,
And 'stead of beads thou drop'st a tear,
And when to rest each calls the bell,
Thou sleep'st within thy marble cell,
Where, in dark contemplation plac'd,
The sweets of Nature thou dost tast,
Who now with time thy days resolve,
And in a jelly thee dissolve,
Like a shot star, which doth repair
Upward, and rarifie the air.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Snayl: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh boy, do I have a treat for you today! We'll be diving deep into one of the most beloved and timeless poems in English literature, "The Snayl," written by Richard Lovelace. This poem may seem simple at first glance, but trust me, there's a lot to unpack here. So, without further ado, let's get started!
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in its entirety:
I saw a snayl creep slow adown a hill, Tasting the dew on flowers small and still, When to my sight did suddenl' apppear The little ant, with hope to find good cheer. Alas, quoth she, we have not any meat, And, ah! our hunger's both unstay'd and great. But let us go, and, though we find no store, Yet we will praise the goodness of the poor. So on they creep; and, as they footing find, Scarce leave a print on the flow'rs they grind. But, ere they far had gone, they might espy The snail had tasted all, and now drew nigh. Yield, sluggard, yield, the ant in fury cries, Or, by my life, I'll sting thee with my stings. The snail, secure in his defensive shell, Kept close within, and, fearless, bade farewell: Would'st thou, quoth he, that I should leave my house, And with my silver all thy brass espouse? No, no, thy ware is not for me to buy, Who dreads a conquest o'er the victory.
Initial Interpretation
At first glance, "The Snayl" appears to be a simple fable about an ant and a snail. The ant is hungry and searching for food, while the snail is leisurely making its way down a hill, enjoying the dew on the flowers. When the ant confronts the snail, demanding that it share its food, the snail refuses, citing the superiority of its own lifestyle.
On a surface level, this poem seems to be a commentary on the virtues of hard work and the folly of laziness. The ant is praised for its diligence, while the snail is portrayed as a lazy, entitled creature. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we'll see that there's more going on here than meets the eye.
Analysis
One of the most striking features of "The Snayl" is Lovelace's use of language. His choice of words is simple and straightforward, yet the poem is rich with metaphor and symbolism.
Let's start with the snail itself. In literature, the snail is often used as a symbol of slowness and lethargy. It's no coincidence that Lovelace chose a snail as the protagonist of his poem. By contrast, the ant is a symbol of hard work and diligence. These two creatures represent two opposing values, and the conflict between them serves to highlight the tension between these values.
The poem is also rich with religious symbolism. The phrase "good cheer" used by the ant is reminiscent of the phrase "good tidings" used in the Bible. This phrase is often associated with the announcement of the birth of Jesus Christ. The ant's search for food can be interpreted as a metaphor for the search for spiritual sustenance. Similarly, the snail's refusal to share its food can be seen as a metaphor for selfishness and greed.
The snail's response to the ant's demand is also rich with meaning. The line "Would'st thou, quoth he, that I should leave my house, / And with my silver all thy brass espouse?" can be seen as a commentary on the value of material possessions. The snail, in its own way, is saying that it values its own lifestyle over the ant's. It sees the ant's demands as an attempt to force it to adopt a lifestyle that it doesn't want.
The poem's use of rhyme and meter is also worth noting. The rhyme scheme of ABABCCDD is simple and unobtrusive, but it serves to give the poem a sense of unity and coherence. The meter, which is predominantly iambic, gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow.
Conclusion
So, what can we take away from "The Snayl"? At its core, this poem is a commentary on the tension between opposing values. It's a reminder that hard work and diligence are important virtues, but that they shouldn't come at the expense of rest and leisure. It's also a warning against selfishness and greed, and a reminder that material possessions are ultimately meaningless.
Through its use of metaphor, symbolism, and language, "The Snayl" is a rich and complex poem that rewards careful analysis. It's a testament to the power of literature to convey complex ideas and emotions in a simple and accessible way.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Snayl by Richard Lovelace is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the poem in detail and uncover its hidden meanings and themes.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a snail that is slowly making its way across a garden. The snail is described as being "slow-paced" and "creeping". The speaker then goes on to describe the snail's shell, which is "spiral'd" and "wreathed". The snail is also described as being "small" and "lowly".
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a slow and contemplative tone that reflects the snail's slow pace. The use of words like "slow-paced" and "creeping" creates a sense of slowness and calmness that is reflected in the snail's movements.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the snail's journey across the garden. The snail is described as being "patient" and "persevering". The speaker also notes that the snail is "unseen" and "unheard". This creates a sense of isolation and loneliness that is reflected in the snail's journey.
The third stanza of the poem is where the true meaning of the poem begins to emerge. The speaker notes that the snail's journey is a metaphor for life. The snail's slow and steady pace represents the journey of life, which is often slow and steady. The snail's perseverance represents the perseverance that is required to navigate the ups and downs of life.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the theme of mortality begins to emerge. The speaker notes that the snail's journey will eventually come to an end. The snail's shell will become its tomb, and it will be "buried" in the earth. This creates a sense of finality and inevitability that is reflected in the snail's journey.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the true beauty of the poem emerges. The speaker notes that despite the snail's small and lowly nature, it is still a part of the natural world. The snail is a part of the "great chain of being" that connects all living things. The snail's journey is a part of the larger journey of life, and it is a beautiful and meaningful journey.
Overall, The Snayl by Richard Lovelace is a beautiful and contemplative poem that captures the essence of life and the beauty of nature. The poem uses the metaphor of a snail's journey to explore the themes of perseverance, mortality, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The poem is a reminder that even the smallest and most lowly creatures have a place in the natural world, and that their journey is just as meaningful as any other.
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