'Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd' by John Dryden
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King Arthur; or, The British Worthy(Comus.) Your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd;
Your barns will be full, and your hovels heap'd:
Come, my boys, come;
Come, my boys, come;
And merrily roar out Harvest Home.
(Chorus.) Come, my boys, come;
Come, my boys, come;
And merrily roar out Harvest Home.(Man.) We ha' cheated the parson, we'll cheat him agen,
For why should a blockhead ha' one in ten?
One in ten,
One in ten,
For why should a blockhead ha' one in ten?For prating so long like a book-learn'd sot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot.
(Chorus.)Burn to pot,
Burn to pot,
Till pudding and dumplin burn to pot.
We'll toss off our ale till we canno' stand,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England:
Old England,
Old England,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England.
(Chorus.) Old England,
Old England,
And Hoigh for the honour of Old England.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd
Author: John Dryden
Year of Publication: 1683
Length: 14 lines
Poetry, Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd is a poem written by John Dryden in 1683. The poem is a pastoral elegy that addresses the death of Charles II, King of England, and the ascension of his brother, James II, to the throne. The poem has been widely praised for its use of imagery and its ability to capture the mood of the time.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in heroic couplets, which were a common form of poetry during the Restoration period. The poem consists of fourteen lines, which are divided into seven couplets. This gives the poem a regular and rhythmic pattern, which is pleasing to the ear. The poem is also structured in a way that reflects the pastoral tradition, which is characterized by a focus on rural life and nature.
Interpretation
The poem is a pastoral elegy that addresses the death of Charles II and the ascension of James II. The poem begins by addressing poetry as a person, telling it that its hay has been mowed and its corn has been reaped. This is a metaphor for the death of Charles II, who was a patron of the arts and a lover of poetry. The hay and corn represent the fruits of his patronage, which have now been harvested.
The poem then goes on to describe the mourning that has taken place since Charles II's death. The shepherds and nymphs, who represent the people of England, have been weeping and lamenting his loss. The fields and gardens have also been mourning, as they have lost a benefactor who was known for his love of nature and his support of gardening.
The poem then turns to the ascension of James II to the throne. Dryden uses the image of a storm to describe the turbulent political climate that followed Charles II's death. He compares James II to a ship that has weathered the storm and has finally reached the safety of the shore. This image is meant to suggest that James II will bring stability and calm to the country after the turbulent period that followed Charles II's death.
The poem ends by addressing poetry once again, telling it to prepare for a new era of patronage under James II. Dryden suggests that James II will continue Charles II's legacy of supporting the arts, and that poetry will once again flourish in England.
Literary Criticism
Poetry, Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd has been widely praised for its use of imagery and its ability to capture the mood of the time. The poem is a classic example of the pastoral elegy, a form of poetry that was popular during the Restoration period. The poem's use of pastoral imagery, such as fields, gardens, and shepherds, creates a nostalgic and romantic mood that is typical of the pastoral tradition.
Dryden's use of the heroic couplet is also noteworthy. The form is well-suited to the poem's subject matter, as it creates a sense of order and control that reflects the stability that James II is meant to bring to the country. The regular and rhythmic pattern of the couplets creates a sense of harmony and balance that is in keeping with the pastoral theme of the poem.
The poem's use of metaphor is also effective. The image of the hay and corn being harvested is a powerful metaphor for the death of Charles II, and the mourning that is described in the poem is a poignant reflection of the country's loss. The image of the storm is also effective, as it captures the turbulence of the political climate that followed Charles II's death.
Overall, Poetry, Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd is a masterful example of the pastoral elegy. Dryden's use of imagery, form, and metaphor create a powerful and evocative poem that captures the mood of the time and reflects the values of the pastoral tradition. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and continues to be admired and studied by scholars and poetry enthusiasts alike.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd: A Masterpiece of Metaphor and Allegory
John Dryden, one of the greatest poets of the Restoration period, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time. "Poetry Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is a masterpiece of metaphor and allegory that speaks to the power of poetry and the role of the poet in society. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this poem to understand its significance and relevance today.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "Poetry, your hay it is mow'd, and your corn is reap'd." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which uses agricultural imagery to describe the process of writing poetry. The metaphor of farming is a powerful one, as it suggests that poetry is a natural product that must be cultivated and harvested like any other crop. This metaphor also implies that the poet is a farmer, who must work hard to produce a bountiful harvest of words and ideas.
The second stanza of the poem expands on this metaphor, describing the process of planting and nurturing the seeds of poetry. Dryden writes, "Your sheaves are all brought home, and the tares are left in the field." This line suggests that the poet must separate the good from the bad, the wheat from the chaff, in order to produce a successful poem. The tares, or weeds, represent the bad ideas or poorly executed lines that must be discarded in order to create a strong and cohesive work.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the role of the reader in the process of poetry. Dryden writes, "Your threshing is done, and your barns are stored." This line suggests that the poet has completed the hard work of writing and editing, and now it is up to the reader to reap the benefits. The metaphor of threshing, or separating the grain from the chaff, suggests that the reader must also be discerning in their interpretation of the poem. They must separate the good from the bad, the true from the false, in order to fully appreciate the work.
The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the metaphor of farming, describing the cyclical nature of the process. Dryden writes, "Your oxen and horses are shod, and your ploughs are all in good order." This line suggests that the poet is always preparing for the next harvest, always looking ahead to the next poem. The metaphor of the plough suggests that the poet must constantly dig deep, turning over new ideas and exploring new themes in order to produce fresh and innovative work.
The final stanza of the poem brings the metaphor full circle, returning to the idea of the poet as a farmer. Dryden writes, "All hearts are lighten'd, all faces are cheer'd." This line suggests that the successful harvest of poetry brings joy and happiness to all who experience it. The metaphor of the harvest suggests that poetry is a communal experience, one that brings people together and enriches their lives.
Throughout the poem, Dryden uses a variety of poetic devices to enhance the metaphor of farming and to convey the power of poetry. One of the most striking examples of this is his use of personification. In the first stanza, he writes, "The quail is call'd at home, the bee to the hive." This line suggests that even the animals are aware of the power of poetry, and are drawn to it like bees to honey. This personification adds depth and richness to the metaphor, making it more vivid and memorable.
Dryden also uses imagery to great effect in this poem. The metaphor of farming is a powerful one, but it is made even more so by the vivid and detailed descriptions of the process. In the second stanza, for example, he writes, "The ploughman homeward plods his weary way, / And leaves the world to darkness and to me." This line not only describes the physical act of farming, but also suggests the emotional toll it takes on the farmer. The image of the ploughman trudging home in the dark is a powerful one, evoking a sense of loneliness and isolation that is often associated with the creative process.
Finally, Dryden's use of language is masterful in this poem. He employs a variety of poetic techniques, including alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a musical and memorable work. In the second stanza, for example, he writes, "The sun's o'ercast with black, the clouds wither'd, / The flock's ungather'd, and the harvest's lost." This line not only uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical rhythm, but also employs rhyme to tie the two halves of the line together. This attention to language and form is what sets Dryden apart as a poet, and what makes "Poetry Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" such a powerful and enduring work.
In conclusion, "Poetry Your Hay It Is Mow'd, And Your Corn Is Reap'd" is a masterpiece of metaphor and allegory that speaks to the power of poetry and the role of the poet in society. Through the use of agricultural imagery, personification, imagery, and language, Dryden creates a vivid and memorable work that has stood the test of time. This poem reminds us that poetry is a natural product that must be cultivated and harvested like any other crop, and that the poet is a farmer who must work hard to produce a bountiful harvest of words and ideas. It also reminds us that poetry is a communal experience, one that brings people together and enriches their lives. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of the modern world, we would do well to remember the lessons of this timeless work, and to continue to cultivate the power of poetry in our own lives and communities.
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