'An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day' by Richard Lovelace


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You, that can haply mixe your joyes with cries,
And weave white Ios with black Elegies,
Can caroll out a dirge, and in one breath
Sing to the tune either of life, or death;
You, that can weepe the gladnesse of the spheres,
And pen a hymne, in stead of inke, with teares;
Here, here your unproportion'd wit let fall,
To celebrate this new-borne funerall,
And greete that little greatnesse, which from th' wombe
Dropt both a load to th' cradle and the tombe.

Bright soule! teach us, to warble with what feet
Thy swathing linnen and thy winding sheet,
Weepe, or shout forth that fonts solemnitie,
Which at once christn'd and buried thee,
And change our shriller passions with that sound,
First told thee into th' ayre, then to the ground.

Ah, wert thou borne for this? only to call
The King and Queen guests to your buriall!
To bid good night, your day not yet begun,
And shew a setting, ere a rising sun!

Or wouldst thou have thy life a martyrdom?
Dye in the act of thy religion,
Fit, excellently, innocently good,
First sealing it with water, then thy blood?
As when on blazing wings a blest man sores,
And having past to God through fiery dores,
Straight 's roab'd with flames, when the same element,
Which was his shame, proves now his ornament;
Oh, how he hast'ned death, burn't to be fryed,
Kill'd twice with each delay, till deified.
So swift hath been thy race, so full of flight,
Like him condemn'd, ev'n aged with a night,
Cutting all lets with clouds, as if th' hadst been
Like angels plum'd, and borne a Cherubin.

Or, in your journey towards heav'n, say,
Tooke you the world a little in your way?
Saw'st and dislik'st its vaine pompe, then didst flye
Up for eternall glories to the skye?
Like a religious ambitious one,
Aspiredst for the everlasting crowne?

Ah! holy traytour to your brother prince,
Rob'd of his birth-right and preheminence!
Could you ascend yon' chaire of state e're him,
And snatch from th' heire the starry diadem?
Making your honours now as much uneven,
As gods on earth are lesse then saints in heav'n.

Triumph! sing triumphs, then!Oh, put on all
Your richest lookes, drest for this festivall!
Thoughts full of ravisht reverence, with eyes
So fixt, as when a saint we canonize;
Clap wings with Seraphins before the throne
At this eternall coronation,
And teach your soules new mirth, such as may be
Worthy this birth-day to divinity.

But ah! these blast your feasts, the jubilies
We send you up are sad, as were our cries,
And of true joy we can expresse no more
Thus crown'd, then when we buried thee before.

Princesse in heav'n, forgivenes! whilst we
Resigne our office to the HIERARCHY.


Editor 1 Interpretation

An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day by Richard Lovelace: A Masterpiece of Elegiac Poetry

As I read Richard Lovelace's "An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day," I am struck by the poet's ability to convey deep emotions through his elegiac verse. This poem is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry, and it explores the themes of mortality, grief, and the fleeting nature of life.

The poem is an elegy for Princess Katherine, who was born and buried on the same day. The poet's grief is palpable throughout the poem, and he expresses his sorrow in a variety of ways. Lovelace's use of language is masterful, and his imagery is both vivid and poignant.

The poem is divided into stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's grief. In the first stanza, the poet describes the princess's birth and her untimely death. The second stanza describes the poet's reaction to her death, and the third stanza explores the theme of mortality.

Throughout the poem, Lovelace uses a variety of rhetorical devices to convey his emotions. He uses alliteration, assonance, and repetition to create a sense of rhythm and urgency in his verse. He also uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the princess's brief life.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Lovelace's use of metaphor. He compares the princess's life to a "bubble" that bursts too soon, and he uses the image of a "fading flower" to describe her untimely death. These metaphors are both powerful and poignant, and they convey the sense of loss and sadness that the poet feels.

Lovelace also uses religious imagery in his poem. He compares the princess to an angel, and he describes her as "a saint above, a seraphim below." This religious imagery serves to elevate the princess's memory and to convey the sense of loss that the poet feels.

The poem is also notable for its structure. Lovelace uses a variety of poetic forms, including couplets, quatrains, and tercets, to create a sense of variety and movement in his verse. He also uses enjambment to create a sense of continuity between the lines.

In conclusion, "An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day" is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry. Lovelace's use of language, imagery, and metaphor creates a powerful sense of grief and loss. His use of religious imagery serves to elevate the princess's memory, and his use of poetic forms creates a sense of movement and variety in his verse. This poem is a testament to the power of elegiac poetry to convey deep emotions and to capture the fleeting nature of life.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day is a classic poem written by Richard Lovelace. This elegy is a tribute to Princess Katherine, who was born and buried on the same day. Lovelace's poem is a beautiful and emotional tribute to the life of the princess, and it is a masterpiece of English literature.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza describes the birth of the princess, and the second stanza describes her death. The third stanza is a tribute to the princess's life and her legacy.

The first stanza of the poem is a beautiful description of the birth of the princess. Lovelace describes the scene in a way that is both poetic and emotional. He writes, "The morn in which she was born was fair, / And bright was the sun's first ray, / And the birds sang sweet in the summer air, / And the flowers were fresh and gay."

Lovelace's use of imagery in this stanza is particularly effective. He paints a picture of a beautiful summer day, with the sun shining and the birds singing. This imagery creates a sense of joy and happiness, which is fitting for the birth of a new life.

The second stanza of the poem is a stark contrast to the first. It describes the death of the princess, and it is a powerful and emotional tribute to her short life. Lovelace writes, "But ere the sun had reached his noon, / The lovely infant died, / And the flowers that bloomed so fair and soon / Were withered by her side."

The use of the word "ere" in the first line of this stanza is particularly effective. It creates a sense of urgency and sadness, as if the princess's life was cut short before it had a chance to truly begin. The imagery in this stanza is also powerful, with the flowers that bloomed so beautifully in the first stanza now withered and dead.

The third stanza of the poem is a tribute to the princess's life and legacy. Lovelace writes, "But though her life was short and sweet, / Her memory shall endure, / And her name shall be a song to greet / The coming ages pure."

This stanza is a beautiful tribute to the princess, and it is a reminder that even though her life was short, she will be remembered forever. Lovelace's use of the word "song" in the last line of this stanza is particularly effective. It creates a sense of joy and celebration, as if the princess's life was a beautiful melody that will continue to be sung for generations to come.

Overall, An Elegie. Princesse Katherine Borne, Christened, Buried, In One Day is a beautiful and emotional tribute to the life of Princess Katherine. Lovelace's use of imagery and language is powerful, and it creates a sense of joy, sadness, and celebration all at once. This elegy is a masterpiece of English literature, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty and tragedy of life.

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