'To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall. On His Exact Translation Of Hierocles His Comment Upon The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras.' by Richard Lovelace
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Tis not from cheap thanks thinly to repay
Th' immortal grove of thy fair-order'd bay
Thou planted'st round my humble fane, that I
Stick on thy hearse this sprig of Elegie:
Nor that your soul so fast was link'd in me,
That now I've both, since't has forsaken thee:
That thus I stand a Swisse before thy gate,
And dare, for such another, time and fate.
Alas! our faiths made different essays,
Our Minds and Merits brake two several ways;
Justice commands I wake thy learned dust,
And truth, in whom all causes center must.
Behold! when but a youth, thou fierce didst whip
Upright the crooked age, and gilt vice strip;
A senator praetext, that knew'st to sway
The fasces, yet under the ferula;
Rank'd with the sage, ere blossome did thy chin,
Sleeked without, and hair all ore within,
Who in the school could'st argue as in schools:
Thy lessons were ev'n academie rules.
So that fair Cam saw thee matriculate,
At once a tyro and a graduate.
At nineteen, what ESSAYES have we beheld!
That well might have the book of Dogmas swell'd;
Tough Paradoxes, such as Tully's, thou
Didst heat thee with, when snowy was thy brow,
When thy undown'd face mov'd the Nine to shake,
And of the Muses did a decad make.
What shall I say? by what allusion bold?
NONE BUT THE SUN WAS ERE SO YOUNG AND OLD.
Young reverend shade, ascend awhile! whilst we
Now celebrate this posthume victorie,
This victory, that doth contract in death
Ev'n all the pow'rs and labours of thy breath.
Like the Judean Hero, in thy fall
Thou pull'st the house of learning on us all.
And as that soldier conquest doubted not,
Who but one splinter had of Castriot,
But would assault ev'n death so strongly charmd,
And naked oppose rocks, with his bone arm'd;
So we, secure in this fair relique, stand
The slings and darts shot by each profane hand.
These soveraign leaves thou left'st us are become
Sear clothes against all Times infection.
Sacred Hierocles, whose heav'nly thought
First acted ore this comment, ere it wrote,
Thou hast so spirited, elixir'd, we
Conceive there is a noble alchymie,
That's turning of this gold to something more
Pretious than gold, we never knew before.
Who now shall doubt the metempsychosis
Of the great Author, that shall peruse this?
Let others dream thy shadow wandering strays
In th' Elizian mazes hid with bays;
Or that, snatcht up in th' upper region,
'Tis kindled there a constellation;
I have inform'd me, and declare with ease
THY SOUL IS FLED INTO HIEROCLES.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall: A Masterpiece of Translation
Author: Richard Lovelace
Title: To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall. On His Exact Translation Of Hierocles His Comment Upon The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras.
Richard Lovelace's poem "To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall. On His Exact Translation Of Hierocles His Comment Upon The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras" is a complex and multi-layered work that deserves careful attention from literary critics and scholars. At first glance, the poem appears to celebrate the achievements of John Hall in producing an accurate translation of Hierocles's commentary on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras. However, on closer inspection, the poem reveals itself to be much more than a simple tribute to a talented translator. In fact, "To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" is a deeply philosophical work that explores themes of truth, wisdom, and the nature of the human soul.
The Context of the Poem
Richard Lovelace was a 17th-century English poet, soldier, and royalist. He is best known for his love poetry, but he also wrote political and religious works. "To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" was published in his 1659 collection "Lucasta". The poem is addressed to John Hall, a fellow poet and scholar, who had recently completed an English translation of Hierocles's commentary on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras. Hierocles was a Neoplatonic philosopher and commentator on the works of Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 6th century BC. The Golden Verses are a set of aphorisms attributed to Pythagoras that were meant to guide the ethical and spiritual development of the reader.
The Structure of the Poem
"To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Lovelace uses the Petrarchan sonnet form, which consists of an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a rhyme scheme of abba abba cdc dcd. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a meter that consists of five iambs (a metrical foot consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) per line. The poem is divided into two parts, with the octave presenting the praise of Hall's translation and the sestet exploring the philosophical ideas that the translation embodies.
Interpretation of the Poem
Lovelace begins by praising Hall's translation as "precise and just," and he describes the translation as a "new birth of the mind." The use of the term "new birth" suggests that Lovelace sees the translation as a transformative work, one that has the power to change the way we think and see the world. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "enlighten" later in the poem, which suggests that the translation has the power to bring knowledge and wisdom to those who read it.
In the sestet, Lovelace begins to explore the philosophical ideas that underpin Hall's translation. He writes that "truth and wisdom are but one," suggesting that the pursuit of truth and the acquisition of wisdom are inextricably linked. He goes on to describe the human soul as "a spark of that great flame," suggesting that each individual soul is connected to a larger cosmic truth. This idea is reinforced by the use of the word "universal" later in the poem, which suggests that the truth and wisdom that Hall's translation embodies are not limited to a particular time or place but are part of a larger, universal truth.
Lovelace ends the poem with a series of rhetorical questions that are meant to challenge the reader to think deeply about the nature of truth and wisdom. He asks, "Who would not live, with such a guide in sight, / Though death should threaten him with instant night? / Who would not die, with such a faith in view, / Though life should promise him a world anew?" These questions suggest that the pursuit of truth and wisdom is worth any sacrifice, even the sacrifice of one's own life.
Literary Analysis
"To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" is a complex work that combines elements of praise poetry, philosophical inquiry, and religious meditation. The use of the sonnet form allows Lovelace to explore these themes in a structured and organized way. The rhyme scheme and meter of the poem create a sense of order and harmony, which reinforces the idea that truth and wisdom are part of a larger cosmic order.
The use of rhetorical questions at the end of the poem is a particularly effective literary device. The questions challenge the reader to engage with the ideas presented in the poem and to think deeply about the nature of truth and wisdom. They also serve to reinforce the idea that the pursuit of these ideals is worth any sacrifice, even the sacrifice of one's own life.
Conclusion
"To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" is a masterful work of poetry that deserves careful attention from scholars and critics. The poem combines elements of praise poetry, philosophical inquiry, and religious meditation in a structured and organized way. Lovelace uses the sonnet form to create a sense of order and harmony, which reinforces the idea that truth and wisdom are part of a larger cosmic order. The use of rhetorical questions at the end of the poem is particularly effective, challenging the reader to engage with the ideas presented in the poem and to think deeply about the nature of truth and wisdom. Overall, "To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall" is a complex and multi-layered work that rewards careful reading and interpretation.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall. On His Exact Translation Of Hierocles His Comment Upon The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras is a classic poem written by Richard Lovelace. This poem is a tribute to John Hall, who translated Hierocles' commentary on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras. Lovelace's poem is a beautiful piece of literature that celebrates the genius of John Hall and his translation of Hierocles' work.
The poem begins with Lovelace addressing the "Genius of Mr. John Hall," acknowledging his talent and skill in translating Hierocles' commentary. Lovelace praises Hall's work, calling it "exact" and "true," and commends him for his dedication to the task. Lovelace's admiration for Hall's work is evident throughout the poem, as he describes the translation as "a work divine" and "a treasure to the world."
Lovelace then turns his attention to the subject of the translation, Hierocles' commentary on the Golden Verses of Pythagoras. The Golden Verses are a set of ethical guidelines attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras. Hierocles' commentary on these verses provides insight into their meaning and significance, and Hall's translation of this commentary is praised by Lovelace for its accuracy and clarity.
Lovelace goes on to describe the importance of the Golden Verses and their relevance to contemporary society. He notes that the verses provide guidance on how to live a virtuous life, and that they are as relevant today as they were in ancient Greece. Lovelace's appreciation for the wisdom contained in the Golden Verses is evident in his description of them as "a sacred rule" and "a perfect guide."
The poem concludes with Lovelace expressing his gratitude to Hall for his translation of Hierocles' commentary. He notes that Hall's work has made the wisdom of the Golden Verses accessible to a wider audience, and that it will continue to inspire and guide people for generations to come. Lovelace's final words are a tribute to Hall's genius, as he describes him as "a star of the first magnitude" and "a glory to our age."
Overall, Poetry To The Genius Of Mr. John Hall. On His Exact Translation Of Hierocles His Comment Upon The Golden Verses Of Pythagoras is a beautiful tribute to the genius of John Hall and his translation of Hierocles' commentary. Lovelace's admiration for Hall's work is evident throughout the poem, and his appreciation for the wisdom contained in the Golden Verses is inspiring. This poem is a testament to the power of literature to inspire and guide us, and to the importance of preserving and sharing the wisdom of the past.
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