'Secular Masque, The' by John Dryden
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Enter JANUS
JANUS
Chronos, Chronos, mend thy pace,
An hundred times the rolling sun
Around the radiant belt has run
In his revolving race.
Behold, behold, the goal in sight,
Spread thy fans, and wing thy flight.
Enter CHRONOS, with a scythe in his hand, and a great globe on his back,
which he sets down at his entrance
CHRONOS
Weary, weary of my weight,
Let me, let me drop my freight,
And leave the world behind.
I could not bear
Another year
The load of human-kind.
Enter MOMUS Laughing
MOMUS
Ha! ha! ha! Ha! ha! ha! well hast thou done,
To lay down thy pack,
And lighten thy back.
The world was a fool, e'er since it begun,
And since neither Janus, nor Chronos, nor I,
Can hinder the crimes,
Or mend the bad times,
'Tis better to laugh than to cry.
Cho. of all 3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Tis better to laugh than to cry
JANUS
Since Momus comes to laugh below,
Old Time begin the show,
That he may see, in every scene,
What changes in this age have been,
CHRONOS
Then Goddess of the silver bow begin.
Horns, or hunting-music within Enter DIANA
DIANA
With horns and with hounds I waken the day,
And hie to my woodland walks away;
I tuck up my robe, and am buskin'd soon,
And tie to my forehead a waxing moon.
I course the fleet stag, unkennel the fox,
And chase the wild goats o'er summits of rocks,
With shouting and hooting we pierce thro' the sky;
And Echo turns hunter, and doubles the cry.
Cho. of all
With shouting and hooting, we pierce through the sky,
And Echo turns hunter, and doubles the cry.
JANUS
Then our age was in its prime,
CHRONOS Chronos
Free from rage,
DIANA
--And free from crime.
MOMUS
A very merry, dancing, drinking,
Laughing, quaffing, and unthinking time.
Cho. of all
Then our age was in its prime,
Free from rage, and free from crime,
A very merry, dancing, drinking,
Laughing, quaffing, and unthinking time.
Dance of Diana's attendants
Enter MARS
MARS
Inspire the vocal brass, inspire;
The world is past its infant age:
Arms and honour,
Arms and honour,
Set the martial mind on fire,
And kindle manly rage.
Mars has look'd the sky to red;
And peace, the lazy good, is fled.
Plenty, peace, and pleasure fly;
The sprightly green
In woodland-walks, no more is seen;
The sprightly green, has drunk the Tyrian dye.
Cho. of all
Plenty, peace, |&|c.
MARS
Sound the trumpet, beat the drum,
Through all the world around;
Sound a reveille, sound, sound,
The warrior god is come.
Cho. of all
Sound the trumpet, |&|c.
MOMUS
Thy sword within the scabbard keep,
And let mankind agree;
Better the world were fast asleep,
Than kept awake by thee.
The fools are only thinner,
With all our cost and care;
But neither side a winner,
For things are as they were.
Cho. of all
The fools are only, |&|c.
Enter VENUS
VENUS
Calms appear, when storms are past;
Love will have his hour at last:
Nature is my kindly care;
Mars destroys, and I repair;
Take me, take me, while you may,
Venus comes not ev'ry day.
Cho. of all
Take her, take her, |&|c.
CHRONOS
The world was then so light,
I scarcely felt the weight;
Joy rul'd the day, and love the night.
But since the Queen of Pleasure left the ground,
I faint, I lag,
And feebly drag
The pond'rous Orb around.
All, all of a piece throughout;
MOMUS,
pointing {}} to Diana {}} 88Thy chase had a beast in view;
to Mars
Thy wars brought nothing about;
to Venus
Thy lovers were all untrue.
JANUS
'Tis well an old age is out,
And time to begin a new.
Cho. of all
All, all of a piece throughout;
Thy chase had a beast in view;
Thy wars brought nothing about;
Thy lovers were all untrue.
And time to begin a new.
Dance of huntsmen, nymphs, warriors, and lovers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Secular Masque" by John Dryden
Are you looking for a poem that speaks to the heart of the human experience? Look no further than "The Secular Masque" by John Dryden. This classic piece of poetry explores the fleeting nature of life and the importance of living it to the fullest. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, structure, and language of this timeless work.
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to discuss its author, John Dryden. Dryden was a prominent English poet and playwright who lived from 1631 to 1700. He was a master of both satire and heroic verse and was the first official Poet Laureate of England. His works are known for their wit, insight, and elegance.
"The Secular Masque" was written in 1687 and was performed as part of a masque (a type of dramatic entertainment) for King James II. The masque was intended to celebrate the completion of a new palace at Whitehall, and Dryden's poem was written to be recited by a chorus of nymphs and shepherds.
Themes
At its core, "The Secular Masque" is a meditation on the transience of life. The poem opens with a description of the god Time, who is portrayed as a merciless figure that devours all things in his path. As the poem progresses, we see various characters bemoaning the fleeting nature of their lives and the world around them.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is how Dryden weaves together various philosophical and religious traditions to create a powerful meditation on mortality. For example, the idea of Time as an unstoppable force is a common motif in classical mythology, but Dryden also draws on Christian imagery to suggest that life is but a brief moment on the path to eternal salvation.
The poem also touches on the theme of hedonism, or the pursuit of pleasure. The shepherds and nymphs that populate the poem are portrayed as carefree and joyful, but their happiness is tempered by the knowledge that it is fleeting. This tension between the hedonistic impulse and the knowledge of mortality is what gives the poem its emotional depth.
Structure
"The Secular Masque" is structured as a series of dialogues between various characters. The poem opens with a conversation between Time and Truth, in which Truth laments the passage of time and the impermanence of all things. This sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which features various characters expressing similar sentiments.
One of the most striking features of the poem's structure is the way it moves between different levels of reality. At times, the characters seem to be speaking directly to one another, but at other times they appear to be addressing the audience directly. This creates a sense of fluidity and unpredictability that keeps the reader engaged throughout.
Another notable aspect of the poem's structure is the way it incorporates music and dance. Dryden was a master of the masque, and "The Secular Masque" features several musical interludes and dance sequences. These moments serve to heighten the emotional impact of the poem and give it a sense of grandeur and spectacle.
Language
Dryden's language in "The Secular Masque" is rich and evocative, with a keen sense of rhythm and imagery. One of the most striking features of the poem's language is the way it blends classical and Christian imagery to create a sense of depth and resonance.
For example, in one section of the poem, Dryden uses the image of a ship sailing on a stormy sea to represent the human condition. This image is drawn from classical mythology (the ship of Theseus) but is given a new twist by its incorporation into a Christian framework. The ship is described as being buffeted by the winds of fate, but it is also guided by the light of divine grace.
Another notable aspect of the poem's language is the way it incorporates humor and satire. Dryden was known for his ability to skewer the foibles of his contemporaries, and "The Secular Masque" is no exception. The shepherds and nymphs that populate the poem are portrayed as hedonistic and superficial, and their antics are often played for laughs.
Interpretation
So, what does it all mean? At its core, "The Secular Masque" is a meditation on the human condition. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of our time on earth. It is also a celebration of the joy and beauty that can be found in the world, even in the face of mortality.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way it incorporates both classical and Christian imagery. This creates a sense of depth and resonance that speaks to the complexity of the human experience. It also suggests that the human condition is not easily reducible to simple moral or philosophical categories.
Another key aspect of the poem is its use of humor and satire. While the characters are often portrayed as carefree and frivolous, their antics are also tinged with a sense of irony and self-awareness. This suggests that the pursuit of pleasure is not necessarily incompatible with a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it.
In the end, "The Secular Masque" is a powerful and moving work of poetry that speaks to the heart of the human experience. It is a testament to the enduring power of Dryden's artistry and his ability to capture the complexities of life in a single, timeless work. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone looking for a window into the human soul, this poem is not to be missed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Secular Masque, written by John Dryden, is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. This masque is a perfect example of Dryden's mastery of the art of poetry and his ability to convey complex ideas through his writing.
The masque is a form of entertainment that was popular in the 17th century. It was a type of play that combined music, dance, and poetry. The Poetry Secular Masque is a perfect example of this form of entertainment. It was first performed in 1687 to celebrate the anniversary of the coronation of King James II.
The masque is divided into three parts. The first part is called "The Introduction." In this part, Dryden sets the stage for the rest of the masque. He introduces the characters and the setting. The setting is a beautiful garden, and the characters are nymphs and shepherds.
The second part is called "The Masque." In this part, the nymphs and shepherds perform a dance. The dance is accompanied by music and poetry. The poetry is written in a lyrical style and is full of imagery. The dance is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world.
The third part is called "The Epilogue." In this part, Dryden concludes the masque. He thanks the audience for their attention and reminds them of the importance of nature and the beauty of the world.
The Poetry Secular Masque is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world. Dryden uses the characters of nymphs and shepherds to represent the beauty of nature. The nymphs are beautiful and graceful, and the shepherds are strong and rugged. Together, they represent the balance and harmony of nature.
Dryden's use of poetry in the masque is masterful. He uses a lyrical style that is full of imagery. The imagery is used to convey the beauty of nature. For example, in one part of the masque, Dryden writes:
"See how the flowers, as at parade, Under their colours stand displayed: Each regiment in order grows, That of the tulip, pink, and rose."
This passage is full of imagery. The flowers are described as being in a parade, and each regiment is in order. This imagery conveys the beauty and order of nature.
Dryden's use of music in the masque is also masterful. The music is used to enhance the poetry and the dance. The music is written in a style that is appropriate for the time period. It is full of melody and harmony.
The dance in the masque is a celebration of nature. The dance is performed by the nymphs and shepherds. The dance is full of grace and beauty. The dance is a perfect representation of the beauty of nature.
The Poetry Secular Masque is a perfect example of Dryden's mastery of the art of poetry. Dryden's use of poetry, music, and dance is masterful. The masque is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world. The masque is a perfect representation of the balance and harmony of nature.
In conclusion, the Poetry Secular Masque, written by John Dryden, is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. The masque is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world. Dryden's use of poetry, music, and dance is masterful. The masque is a perfect representation of the balance and harmony of nature. The Poetry Secular Masque is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and the beauty of nature.
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