'To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew' by John Dryden
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Thou youngest virgin-daughter of the skies,Made in the last promotion of the Blest;
Whose palms, new pluck'd from Paradise,
In spreading branches more sublimely rise,
Rich with immortal green above the rest:
Whether, adopted to some neighbouring star,
Thou roll'st above us, in thy wand'ring race,Or, in procession fix'd and regular,Mov'd with the Heavens' majestic pace:Or, call'd to more superior bliss,
Thou tread'st, with seraphims, the vast abyss.
What ever happy region is thy place,
Cease thy celestial song a little space;
(Thou wilt have time enough for hymns divine,Since Heav'n's eternal year is thine.)
Hear then a mortal Muse thy praise rehearse,In no ignoble verse;
But such as thy own voice did practise here,
When thy first fruits of poesy were giv'n;
To make thyself a welcome inmate there:While yet a young probationer,And Candidate of Heav'n.If by traduction came thy mind,Our wonder is the less to find
A soul so charming from a stock so good;
Thy father was transfus'd into thy blood:
So wert thou born into the tuneful strain,
(An early, rich, and inexhausted vein.)But if thy preexisting soulWas form'd, at first, with myriads more,
It did through all the mighty poets roll,Who Greek or Latin laurels wore,
And was that Sappho last, which once it was before.If so, then cease thy flight, O Heav'n-born mind!Thou hast no dross to purge from thy rich ore:Nor can thy soul a fairer mansion find,Than was the beauteous frame she left behind:
Return, to fill or mend the choir, of thy celestial kind.May we presume to say, that at thy birth,
New joy was sprung in Heav'n as well as here on earth.
For sure the milder planets did combine
On thy auspicious horoscope to shine,
And ev'n the most malicious were in trine.Thy brother-angels at thy birthStrung each his lyre, and tun'd it high,That all the people of the sky
Might know a poetess was born on earth;And then if ever, mortal earsHad heard the music of the spheres!And if no clust'ring swarm of beesOn thy sweet mouth distill'd their golden dew,'Twas that, such vulgar miracles,Heav'n had not leisure to renew:For all the blest fraternity of love
Solemniz'd there thy birth, and kept thy Holyday above.O Gracious God! How far have we
Profan'd thy Heav'nly gift of poesy?
Made prostitute and profligate the Muse,
Debas'd to each obscene and impious use,
Whose harmony was first ordain'd above
For tongues of angels, and for hymns of love?
O wretched we! why were we hurried downThis lubrique and adult'rate age,(Nay added fat pollutions of our own)T'increase the steaming ordures of the stage?What can we say t'excuse our Second Fall?Let this thy vestal, Heav'n, atone for all!Her Arethusian stream remains unsoil'd,Unmix'd with foreign filth, and undefil'd,
Her wit was more than man, her innocence a child!Art she had none, yet wanted none:For Nature did that want supply,So rich in treasures of her own,She might our boasted stores defy:
Such noble vigour did her verse adorn,
That it seem'd borrow'd, where 'twas only born.
Her morals too were in her bosom bredBy great examples daily fed,
What in the best of Books, her Father's Life, she read.And to be read her self she need not fear,Each test, and ev'ry light, her Muse will bear,Though Epictetus with his lamp were there.Ev'n love (for love sometimes her Muse express'd)
Was but a lambent-flame which play'd about her breast:Light as the vapours of a morning dream,
So cold herself, whilst she such warmth express'd,'Twas Cupid bathing in Diana's stream.Born to the spacious empire of the Nine,
One would have thought, she should have been content
To manage well that mighty government;
But what can young ambitious souls confine?To the next realm she stretch'd her sway,For painture near adjoining lay,
A plenteous province, and alluring prey.
A chamber of dependences was fram'd,
(As conquerors will never want pretence,When arm'd, to justify th'offence)
And the whole fief, in right of poetry she claim'd.The country open lay without defence:
For poets frequent inroads there had made,And perfectly could represent
The shape, the face, with ev'ry lineament:
And all the large domains which the Dumb-sister sway'd,
All bow'd beneath her government,
Receiv'd in triumph wheresoe'er she went,
Her pencil drew, what e'er her soul design'd,
And oft the happy draught surpass'd the image in her mind.
The sylvan scenes of herds and flocks,
And fruitful plains and barren rocks,
Of shallow brooks that flow'd so clear,
The bottom did the top appear;
Of deeper too and ampler floods,
Which as in mirrors, show'd the woods;
Of lofty trees, with sacred shades,
And perspectives of pleasant glades,
Where nymphs of brightest form appear,
And shaggy satyrs standing near,
Which them at once admire and fear.
The ruins too of some majestic piece,
Boasting the pow'r of ancient Rome or Greece,
Whose statues, friezes, columns broken lie,
And tho' defac'd, the wonder of the eye,
What Nature, art, bold fiction e'er durst frame,
Her forming hand gave feature to the name.
So strange a concourse ne'er was seen before,
But when the peopl'd Ark the whole creation bore.The scene then chang'd, with bold erected look
Our martial king the sight with reverence strook:
For not content t'express his outward part,
Her hand call'd out the image of his heart,
His warlike mind, his soul devoid of fear,
His high-designing thoughts, were figur'd there,
As when, by magic, ghosts are made appear.
Our phoenix queen was portray'd too so bright,
Beauty alone could beauty take so right:
Her dress, her shape, her matchless grace,
Were all observ'd, as well as heav'nly face.
With such a peerless majesty she stands,
As in that day she took the crown from sacred hands:
Before a train of heroines was seen,
In beauty foremost, as in rank, the queen!
Thus nothing to her genius was deny'd,
But like a ball of fire the further thrown,Still with a greater blaze she shone,
And her bright soul broke out on ev'ry side.
What next she had design'd, Heaven only knows,
To such immod'rate growth her conquest rose,
That fate alone its progress could oppose.Now all those charms, that blooming grace,
The well-proportion'd shape, and beauteous face,
Shall never more be seen by mortal eyes;
In earth the much lamented virgin lies!
Not wit, not piety could fate prevent;
Nor was the cruel destiny content
To finish all the murder at a blow,
To sweep at once her life, and beauty too;
But, like a harden'd felon, took a prideTo work more mischievously slow,And plunder'd first, and then destroy'd.
O double sacrilege on things divine,
To rob the relique, and deface the shrine!But thus Orinda died:
Heav'n, by the same disease, did both translate,
As equal were their souls, so equal was their fate.Meantime her warlike brother on the seas
His waving streamers to the winds displays,
And vows for his return, with vain devotion, pays.
Ah, generous youth, that wish forbear,
The winds too soon will waft thee here!
Slack all thy sails, and fear to come,
Alas, thou know'st not, thou art wreck'd at home!
No more shalt thou behold thy sister's face,
Thou hast already had her last embrace.
But look aloft, and if thou ken'st from far,
Among the Pleiad's, a new-kindl'd star,
If any sparkles, than the rest, more bright,
'Tis she that shines in that propitious light.When in mid-air, the golden trump shall sound,
To raise the nations under ground;
When in the valley of Jehosophat,
The Judging God shall close the book of fate;
And there the last Assizes keep,
For those who wake, and those who sleep;
When rattling bones together fly,
From the four corners of the sky,
When sinews o'er the skeletons are spread,
Those cloth'd with flesh, and life inspires the dead;
The sacred poets first shall hear the sound,
And foremost from the tomb shall bound:
For they are cover'd with the lightest ground,
And straight, with in-born vigour, on the wing,
Like mounting larks, to the new morning sing.
There thou, sweet saint, before the choir shall go,
As harbinger of Heav'n, the way to show,
The way which thou so well hast learn'd below.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
"To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew" is a beautiful elegiac poem written by John Dryden to mourn the untimely demise of Anne Killigrew, a young poetess and artist. Anne Killigrew was only 25 years old when she passed away in 1685 due to smallpox. She was known for her exceptional talents in painting, music, and poetry. In this poem, Dryden celebrates her life, and laments her death. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which is a different type of elegy.
Form and Style
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, which was a common form of poetry during the Restoration period. The poem is a combination of different types of elegies, including pastoral, heroic, and devotional elegies. The pastoral elegy is used in the first part of the poem, where Dryden compares Anne Killigrew to a nymph, and laments her death as if she were a natural phenomenon. The heroic elegy is used in the second part, where Dryden praises her artistic talents and compares her to the great artists of history. The devotional elegy is used in the final part of the poem, where Dryden praises Anne Killigrew's piety and devotion to God.
Dryden's style is characterized by his use of elaborate and ornate language. He uses a lot of metaphors, similes, and allusions to classical mythology and literature. His style is also very emotional and passionate, which is evident in his mourning of Anne Killigrew's death.
Themes
One of the central themes of the poem is the celebration of Anne Killigrew's life and her artistic talents. Dryden praises her for her skills in poetry, music, and painting, and compares her to some of the greatest artists of history, such as Raphael and Michelangelo. He also celebrates her beauty and describes her as a nymph, a goddess, and a saint.
Another theme of the poem is the inevitability of death. Dryden laments the fact that Anne Killigrew died so young and compares her death to the fading of a flower or the setting of the sun. He also reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death for all human beings.
A third theme of the poem is the power of art and poetry to immortalize the memory of those who have passed away. Dryden believes that Anne Killigrew's art and poetry will live on long after her death and that they will ensure that she is remembered for generations to come.
Interpretation
Dryden's elegy for Anne Killigrew is a powerful piece of literature that celebrates the life, talents, and beauty of a young artist who died too soon. Through his use of various types of elegies, Dryden captures the essence of Anne Killigrew's life and her impact on the world of art and poetry.
The pastoral elegy in the first part of the poem is a beautiful tribute to Anne Killigrew's youth and beauty. Dryden compares her to a nymph, who has been taken away by death. He reflects on the fact that her beauty will never fade, but will remain immortalized in the memory of those who knew her. The use of pastoral imagery creates a sense of peacefulness and tranquility, which contrasts with the sadness and grief of Anne Killigrew's death.
The heroic elegy in the second part of the poem is a celebration of Anne Killigrew's artistic talents. Dryden compares her to some of the greatest artists of history, such as Raphael and Michelangelo, and praises her for her skills in poetry, music, and painting. Dryden's use of heroic imagery and language creates a sense of grandeur and majesty, which emphasizes the importance of Anne Killigrew's artistic legacy.
The devotional elegy in the final part of the poem is a tribute to Anne Killigrew's piety and devotion to God. Dryden reflects on her faith and her belief in the afterlife, and believes that she is now in heaven, where she can continue to create art and poetry. Dryden's use of religious imagery and language creates a sense of spiritual transcendence, which emphasizes the importance of Anne Killigrew's spiritual legacy.
Overall, "To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew" is a beautiful elegy that celebrates the life, talents, and beauty of a young artist who died too soon. Dryden's use of various types of elegies creates a sense of complexity and depth, which reflects the multi-faceted nature of Anne Killigrew's life and legacy. His use of elaborate language, emotional passion, and powerful imagery creates a sense of grandeur and majesty, which emphasizes the importance of Anne Killigrew's impact on the world of art and poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew: A Masterpiece of Elegy
John Dryden, one of the greatest poets of the Restoration period, wrote a masterpiece of elegy in Poetry To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew. This poem is a tribute to the young lady who was a gifted poet, painter, and musician. She died at the young age of 25, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence. Dryden's elegy is a moving tribute to her life and work, and it is a testament to his own poetic genius.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Anne Killigrew's life and work. The first part is an introduction to the poem, in which Dryden sets the tone for the elegy. He begins by describing the beauty and talent of Anne Killigrew, and he laments her untimely death. He then goes on to explain the purpose of the poem, which is to celebrate her life and work and to offer comfort to those who loved her.
The second part of the poem is a tribute to Anne Killigrew's poetry. Dryden describes her as a "Mistress of the Muses," and he praises her skill as a poet. He notes that her poetry was not only beautiful but also profound, and he compares her to the great poets of the past. He also notes that her poetry was inspired by her faith, and he praises her devotion to God.
The third part of the poem is a tribute to Anne Killigrew's other artistic talents, particularly her painting and music. Dryden notes that she was a gifted painter and musician, and he laments that she did not have more time to develop these talents. He also notes that her art was inspired by her faith, and he praises her devotion to God.
Throughout the poem, Dryden uses a variety of poetic techniques to create a moving and powerful elegy. He uses vivid imagery to describe Anne Killigrew's beauty and talent, and he uses metaphors and similes to compare her to other great artists. He also uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of rhythm and unity in the poem.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of religious imagery and language. Dryden was a devout Anglican, and he uses religious language throughout the poem to express his grief and to celebrate Anne Killigrew's faith. He describes her as a "saint" and a "martyr," and he uses biblical references to describe her life and work. This religious language gives the poem a sense of depth and meaning, and it underscores the importance of faith in Anne Killigrew's life and work.
Another notable feature of the poem is its use of classical allusions. Dryden was a scholar of classical literature, and he uses references to classical mythology and literature to describe Anne Killigrew's talent and beauty. He compares her to the goddess Venus, and he describes her poetry as "Pindaric strains." These allusions give the poem a sense of intellectual depth and sophistication, and they underscore the importance of classical literature in Dryden's own work.
In conclusion, Poetry To The Pious Memory Of The Accomplished Young Lady Mrs. Anne Killigrew is a masterpiece of elegy. It is a moving tribute to a young woman who was gifted in poetry, painting, and music, and it is a testament to John Dryden's own poetic genius. Through vivid imagery, religious language, and classical allusions, Dryden creates a powerful and deeply moving elegy that celebrates Anne Killigrew's life and work and offers comfort to those who loved her. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of human life, and it is a reminder of the enduring legacy of one of the greatest poets of the Restoration period.
Editor Recommended Sites
Data Driven Approach - Best data driven techniques & Hypothesis testing for software engineeers: Best practice around data driven engineering improvementCustomer 360 - Entity resolution and centralized customer view & Record linkage unification of customer master: Unify all data into a 360 view of the customer. Engineering techniques and best practice. Implementation for a cookieless world
Domain Specific Languages: The latest Domain specific languages and DSLs for large language models LLMs
Datalog: Learn Datalog programming for graph reasoning and incremental logic processing.
Learn Dataform: Dataform tutorial for AWS and GCP cloud
Recommended Similar Analysis
Le Pont Mirabeau by Guillaume Apollinaire analysisA Dialogue Between The Soul And Body by Andrew Marvell analysis
Proud Music Of The Storm by Walt Whitman analysis
A Little Boy Lost by William Blake analysis
Metrical Feet by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
The Geranium by Theodore Roethke analysis
How Beastly The Bourgeois Is by D.H. Lawrence analysis
Let it be Forgotten by Sarah Teasdale analysis
Drum -Taps by Walt Whitman analysis
Prisoner of Chillon, The by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis