'To Lucasta From Prison An Epode' by Richard Lovelace
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I.
Long in thy shackels, liberty
I ask not from these walls, but thee;
Left for awhile anothers bride,
To fancy all the world beside.
II.
Yet e're I doe begin to love,
See, how I all my objects prove;
Then my free soule to that confine,
'Twere possible I might call mine.
III.
First I would be in love with PEACE,
And her rich swelling breasts increase;
But how, alas! how may that be,
Despising earth, she will love me?
IV.
Faine would I be in love with WAR,
As my deare just avenging star;
But War is lov'd so ev'rywhere,
Ev'n he disdaines a lodging here.
V.
Thee and thy wounds I would bemoane,
Faire thorough-shot RELIGION;
But he lives only that kills thee,
And who so bindes thy hands, is free.
VI.
I would love a PARLIAMENT
As a maine prop from Heav'n sent;
But ah! who's he, that would be wedded
To th' fairest body that's beheaded?
VII.
Next would I court my LIBERTY,
And then my birth-right, PROPERTY;
But can that be, when it is knowne,
There's nothing you can call your owne?
VIII.
A REFORMATION I would have,
As for our griefes a SOV'RAIGNE salve;
That is, a cleansing of each wheele
Of state, that yet some rust doth feele.
IX.
But not a reformation so,
As to reforme were to ore'throw,
Like watches by unskilfull men
Disjoynted, and set ill againe.
X.
The PUBLICK FAITH I would adore,
But she is banke-rupt of her store:
Nor how to trust her can I see,
For she that couzens all, must me.
XI.
Since then none of these can be
Fit objects for my love and me;
What then remaines, but th' only spring
Of all our loves and joyes, the King?
XII.
He who, being the whole ball
Of day on earth, lends it to all;
When seeking to ecclipse his right,
Blinded we stand in our owne light.
XIII.
And now an universall mist
Of error is spread or'e each breast,
With such a fury edg'd as is
Not found in th' inwards of th' abysse.
XIV.
Oh, from thy glorious starry waine
Dispense on me one sacred beame,
To light me where I soone may see
How to serve you, and you trust me!
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Lucasta From Prison An Epode by Richard Lovelace: A Literary Criticism
As a lover of poetry, I have always been fascinated by the works of Richard Lovelace. His poetic style is unique and captivating, and his ability to express deep emotions through his writings is truly remarkable. One of his most famous poems, "To Lucasta From Prison An Epode," is a perfect example of his talent as a poet.
Overview of the Poem
"To Lucasta From Prison An Epode" is a poem that was written by Richard Lovelace in the 17th century. It is believed that the poem was written during Lovelace's imprisonment in Gatehouse Prison in London. The poem is an epode, which is a type of poem that was popular during ancient Greek and Roman times. An epode is a form of lyric poetry that is characterized by its use of a refrain.
The poem is addressed to Lovelace's lover, Lucasta, and expresses his feelings of love and devotion towards her. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The first and last lines of each stanza are the same, which is the refrain of the poem. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that it has four iambs per line.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with the line, "When love with unconfined wings." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it expresses Lovelace's belief that love is something that cannot be contained. The line is also an example of personification, as love is given the attributes of having wings.
The second line of the poem, "Hovers within my gates," is a metaphor for Lovelace's heart. The gates represent the boundaries of Lovelace's heart, and the love that hovers within represents his feelings of love for Lucasta.
The third line of the poem, "And my divine Althea brings," is a reference to Lovelace's earlier poem, "To Althea, From Prison." Althea was the name of Lovelace's mistress, and the poem was written while he was imprisoned in the same prison as he was when he wrote "To Lucasta From Prison An Epode."
The fourth line of the poem, "To whisper at the grates," is a reference to the fact that Lovelace was imprisoned and could not be with Lucasta. The grates represent the bars of his prison cell, and the fact that he can only whisper to her through them shows the restrictions that he is under.
The fifth line of the poem, "When I lie tangled in her hair," is an example of imagery. The image of Lovelace lying tangled in Lucasta's hair is a romantic and intimate image that expresses his desire to be with her.
The sixth and final line of the first stanza, "And fettered to her eye," is a metaphor for Lovelace's love for Lucasta. The word "fettered" means to be bound or restrained, which shows Lovelace's belief that his love for Lucasta is something that he cannot control.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the same refrain as the first stanza, which shows the importance of the theme of uncontainable love in the poem. The second stanza continues with Lovelace expressing his desire to be with Lucasta, even though he is imprisoned. He says that he would rather be in chains with her than be free without her.
The third stanza of the poem begins with the line, "But with the first kind glance or kiss." This line shows Lovelace's belief that even the smallest gestures of love from Lucasta are enough to sustain him during his imprisonment. The rest of the stanza continues with Lovelace expressing his love for Lucasta and his desire to be with her.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a repetition of the refrain from the first and second stanzas. This repetition emphasizes the importance of the theme of uncontainable love in the poem, and shows that Lovelace's feelings for Lucasta are consistent throughout the poem.
Themes
The main theme of "To Lucasta From Prison An Epode" is love. Lovelace's love for Lucasta is the driving force behind the poem, and his desire to be with her is what gives the poem its emotional depth. The theme of imprisonment is also a prominent theme in the poem, as Lovelace's imprisonment is what prevents him from being with Lucasta.
Conclusion
"To Lucasta From Prison An Epode" is a beautiful and emotional poem that expresses Lovelace's feelings of love and devotion towards his lover, Lucasta. The poem is an excellent example of Lovelace's talent as a poet, and his ability to express deep emotions through his writings. The themes of love and imprisonment are explored in the poem, and the use of the epode form adds to the poem's emotional impact. Overall, "To Lucasta From Prison An Epode" is a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to be admired for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Lucasta From Prison An Epode: A Masterpiece of Love and Loyalty
Richard Lovelace, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his romantic and patriotic poetry. His works are characterized by their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and political themes. One of his most famous poems is "To Lucasta, from Prison: An Epode," which is a masterpiece of love and loyalty.
The poem was written during Lovelace's imprisonment in 1642 for his support of King Charles I during the English Civil War. It is addressed to Lucasta, a pseudonym for Lovelace's beloved, Lucy Sacheverell. The poem is a declaration of Lovelace's undying love for Lucy and his loyalty to the king.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. The poem's structure is simple, but its language is rich and powerful. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem:
"When love with unconfined wings Hovers within my gates, And my divine Althea brings To whisper at the grates; When I lie tangled in her hair And fettered to her eye,"
These lines describe the speaker's state of mind when he is with his beloved. He feels as if he is in a prison, but his love for Lucy gives him wings. He is trapped, but he is also free. The image of Althea whispering at the grates is a metaphor for the speaker's longing for Lucy. He is separated from her, but he can still hear her voice.
The second stanza of the poem is a declaration of the speaker's loyalty to the king. He says:
"When flowing cups run swiftly round With no allaying Thames, Our careless heads with roses crowned, Our hearts with loyal flames; When thirsty grief in wine we steep, When healths and draughts go free,"
These lines describe a scene of revelry and celebration. The speaker and his companions are drinking and toasting to the king's health. They are carefree and happy, but their hearts are filled with loyalty to the king. The image of the Thames, which is the river that flows through London, is a symbol of England. The speaker is saying that even though he is imprisoned, his heart is still with his country and his king.
The final stanza of the poem is a declaration of the speaker's love for Lucy. He says:
"Fish not, with this melancholy bait, For this fool gudgeon, this poor traitor, still Thou hast thy will; With thy false tears, that pity move, Pity that dwells not in one breast with love."
These lines are a warning to Lucy not to try to manipulate the speaker with her tears. He knows that she is trying to make him feel sorry for her, but he will not be swayed. He loves her too much to be fooled by her false emotions. The image of the gudgeon, which is a small fish, is a metaphor for the speaker. He is saying that he is not a fool who can be easily caught. He is a loyal and devoted lover who cannot be swayed by pity.
In conclusion, "To Lucasta, from Prison: An Epode" is a masterpiece of love and loyalty. It is a testament to the power of love to transcend even the most difficult circumstances. Lovelace's language is rich and powerful, and his imagery is vivid and evocative. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, love and loyalty can sustain us.
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