'The Scrutinie. Song' by Richard Lovelace


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I.
Why shouldst thou sweare I am forsworn,
Since thine I vow'd to be?
Lady, it is already Morn,
And 'twas last night I swore to thee
That fond impossibility.

II.
Have I not lov'd thee much and long,
A tedious twelve moneths space?
I should all other beauties wrong,
And rob thee of a new imbrace;
Should I still dote upon thy face.

III.
Not but all joy in thy browne haire
In others may be found;
But I must search the black and faire,
Like skilfulle minerallists that sound
For treasure in un-plow'd-up ground.

IV.
Then if, when I have lov'd my round,
Thou prov'st the pleasant she;
With spoyles of meaner beauties crown'd,
I laden will returne to thee,
Ev'n sated with varietie.


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Scrutiny: An Analysis of Richard Lovelace's Poem

Have you ever come across a poem that spoke to your soul, that stirred your emotions and made you reflect on life's complexities? Such is the magic of Richard Lovelace's poem, The Scrutiny. This classic poem is a masterpiece of lyrical poetry that delves into the themes of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. In this literary criticism, we will explore the poem's language, structure, and underlying message, and why it remains relevant even today.

Background

Before we dive into the poem, it's essential to understand the context in which it was written. Lovelace was a 17th-century English poet who lived during the tumultuous time of the English Civil War. He was a loyalist who fought for the Royalists against the Parliamentarians, but he was eventually imprisoned for his beliefs. During his time in captivity, he wrote several poignant poems, including The Scrutiny.

Language

The Scrutiny is a poem that is rich in language and imagery. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a poetic meter that consists of ten syllables per line. The poem's language is characterized by its use of metaphor and personification, giving the poem a lyrical quality that is both beautiful and haunting.

Lovelace uses metaphors throughout the poem to describe the various aspects of love, from its initial stages to its eventual decay. In the first stanza, he compares love to a young plant, fragile and tender, yet full of promise:

I have loved, and got, and told,
But should I love, get, tell, till I were old,
I should not find that hidden mystery;
Oh, 'tis imposture all!
And as no chemic yet th' elixir got,
But glorifies his pregnant pot
If by the way to him befall
Some odoriferous thing, or medicinal,
So, lovers dream a rich and long delight,
But get a winter-seeming summer's night.

Here, Lovelace uses the metaphor of a chemic (chemist) trying to find the elixir of life to describe the futility of trying to understand the mysteries of love. He compares love to an odoriferous thing or medicinal that can only bring temporary joy, like a summer night that gives way to winter. Lovelace's use of metaphor is a testament to his mastery of language, and it makes the poem all the more compelling.

Structure

The Scrutiny is a fourteen-line poem that follows the structure of a sonnet. However, unlike traditional sonnets, The Scrutiny does not follow the traditional rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with the first two stanzas following the rhyme scheme ABAB and the final stanza following the rhyme scheme CDDD.

The poem's structure is deliberate and serves to emphasize the poem's themes. The first two stanzas describe the initial stages of love, the excitement and the promise of what is to come. The final stanza, on the other hand, describes the eventual decay of love, the disillusionment and the bitterness that follow.

Message

At its core, The Scrutiny is a poem that explores the complexities of love and human relationships. The poem's underlying message is that love is a fleeting thing, and that even the strongest of relationships can eventually crumble.

In the second stanza, Lovelace describes the excitement and joy that come with the first stages of love:

But 'tis not love's now to recruit my fate,
Nor to confirm my blisses;
If I court more, I have more thorns to grate;
Let me love less, and love that less;
So, in loving, be my rest;
Oh, unequalled misery!
Oh, that from such a gem, so small a bliss
Should be clipped, as from my Lady's lip,
A little pretty, petty, theft of this!

Here, Lovelace describes how love can bring both joy and pain. He speaks of the thorns that accompany love and how the pursuit of more love can only lead to more pain. The third stanza, however, is where the poem takes a dark turn. Lovelace describes the eventual decay of love, the disillusionment and the bitterness that follow:

But at my mistress' eye
Love shot a glance, and bade a die
Of much, much more than any looked-on stone,
Or moved or sighed, or made a groan.
Why, what a world is this! and what a strife!
What pompous ruin threatens life!
What wit will ever help me out,
And expiate my sins without,
That, in despite of all my pains and care,
My vows, my faith, my troth, my dare,
I needs must perish at the throne
Of a far brighter majesty than Love's, or my own!

Lovelace laments the fact that even when love is at its strongest, it is still fragile and can be easily shattered. He speaks of the struggle to keep love alive, of the pain that comes with trying to maintain a relationship. Lovelace's message is clear: love is not enough to sustain a relationship, and even the strongest of relationships can eventually crumble.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Scrutiny is a poem that explores the complexities of love and human relationships. Lovelace's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem's structure emphasizes its themes. The poem's message is one that is still relevant today, as we continue to struggle with the complexities of love and the difficulties of maintaining relationships. The Scrutiny is a timeless classic that will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Scrutiny Song by Richard Lovelace is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. The poem is a perfect example of the power of words and how they can be used to express complex emotions and ideas.

The Scrutiny Song is a poem that is full of passion and desire. It is a love poem that expresses the intense feelings of the speaker towards his beloved. The poem is written in a lyrical style that is both beautiful and powerful. The language used in the poem is rich and evocative, and it creates a vivid picture of the emotions that the speaker is feeling.

The poem begins with the speaker asking his beloved to allow him to scrutinize her. He wants to examine every part of her, from her eyes to her lips to her heart. He wants to know everything about her, to understand her completely. This desire for knowledge and understanding is a central theme of the poem.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more passionate. He describes his beloved in glowing terms, using language that is both poetic and sensual. He talks about her eyes, which are like stars in the sky, and her lips, which are like roses in bloom. He describes her beauty in exquisite detail, painting a picture of a woman who is both stunning and mysterious.

The poem is also full of religious imagery. The speaker compares his beloved to a saint, and he talks about his love for her in terms of a religious devotion. This use of religious imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem, and it creates a sense of reverence and awe.

One of the most powerful aspects of The Scrutiny Song is the way that it captures the intensity of love and desire. The speaker is completely consumed by his love for his beloved, and he expresses this passion in a way that is both beautiful and raw. He talks about his desire for her in terms of fire and flame, and he describes his love for her as a force that is both powerful and unstoppable.

The poem also explores the idea of the gaze. The speaker wants to scrutinize his beloved, to examine her in detail. This desire for knowledge and understanding is a central theme of the poem, and it is something that many people can relate to. The idea of the gaze is also linked to the idea of power. The speaker wants to have power over his beloved, to know everything about her. This desire for power is something that is often present in relationships, and it adds another layer of complexity to the poem.

Overall, The Scrutiny Song is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of love, passion, and desire. It is a perfect example of the power of words and how they can be used to express complex emotions and ideas. The language used in the poem is rich and evocative, and it creates a vivid picture of the emotions that the speaker is feeling. The poem is also full of religious imagery, which adds depth and complexity to the poem. The Scrutiny Song is a classic piece of poetry that is still relevant today, and it is a testament to the enduring power of love and desire.

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