'Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, 1687' by John Dryden

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From Harmony, from heavenly HarmonyThis universal frame began:When nature underneath a heapOf jarring atoms layAnd could not heave her head,
The tuneful voice was heard from high,Arise, ye more than dead!
Then cold, and hot, and moist, and dry
In order to their stations leap,And Music's power obey.
From Harmony, from heavenly harmonyThis universal frame began:From harmony to harmony
Through all the compass of the notes it ran,
The diapason closing full in Man.What passion cannot Music raise and quell?When Jubal struck the chorded shellHis listening brethren stood around,And, wondering, on their faces fellTo worship that celestial sound.
Less than a god they thought there could not dwellWithin the hollow of that shellThat spoke so sweetly and so well.
What passion cannot Music raise and quell?The trumpet's loud clangourExcites us to arms,With shrill notes of angerAnd mortal alarms.The double double double beatOf the thundering drumCries 'Hark! the foes come;
Charge, charge, 'tis too late to retreat!'The soft complaining fluteIn dying notes discoversThe woes of hopeless lovers,
Whose dirge is whisper'd by the warbling lute.Sharp violins proclaim
Their jealous pangs and desperation,
Fury, frantic indignation,
Depths of pains, and height of passionFor the fair disdainful dame.But oh! what art can teach,
What human voice can reachThe sacred organ's praise?
Notes inspiring holy love,
Notes that wing their heavenly waysTo mend the choirs above.Orpheus could lead the savage race,
And trees unrooted left their placeSequacious of the lyre:
But bright Cecilia raised the wonder higher:
When to her Organ vocal breath was given
An angel heard, and straight appear'd-Mistaking Earth for Heaven.Grand Chorus:As from the power of sacred laysThe spheres began to move,
And sung the great Creator's praiseTo all the blest above;
So when the last and dreadful hourThis crumbling pageant shall devour,
The trumpet shall be heard on high,The dead shall live, the living die,And music shall untune the sky.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into John Dryden's "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" (1687)

Wow, where do I even begin with this masterpiece? John Dryden's "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" is a truly remarkable piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. Written in 1687, this poem is a tribute to the patron saint of music, Saint Cecilia. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive deep into the poem and analyze its structure, themes, and literary devices.

The Structure of the Poem

"Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" is divided into two stanzas. The first stanza consists of 15 lines, while the second stanza has 16 lines. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables and follows a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This creates a rhythmic flow to the poem that mimics music.

The poem is also written in rhyming couplets, which means that each pair of lines ends with a rhyme. The rhyme scheme is AABBCCDDEEFFGG in the first stanza and AABBCCDDEEFFGGHH in the second stanza. This rhyme scheme adds a musical quality to the poem that fits perfectly with the theme of music.

The Themes of the Poem

The main theme of "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" is the power of music. Dryden portrays music as a divine art that has the ability to move and inspire people. He uses Saint Cecilia as a symbol of music and describes her as a goddess who can make "savage beasts" and "rocks and hollow mountains" tremble with the power of her music.

Dryden also explores the idea of harmony in the poem. He describes music as a force that brings together opposing elements and creates a sense of unity. He writes, "From harmony, from heavenly harmony, / This universal frame began." This idea of harmony is further emphasized by the poem's structure and rhyme scheme, which create a sense of unity and order.

Another theme that can be found in the poem is the idea of creativity and imagination. Dryden describes music as a form of art that is created in the mind and then brought to life through the power of sound. He writes, "The soft complaining flute, / In dying notes, discovers / The woes of hopeless lovers." This suggests that music has the ability to express emotions and ideas that cannot be put into words.

The Literary Devices Used in the Poem

Dryden uses a variety of literary devices in "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" to enhance the poem's themes and create a sense of musicality. One of the most notable devices is personification. Dryden personifies music and Saint Cecilia, giving them human qualities and making them more relatable to the reader.

Another literary device that Dryden uses is imagery. He uses vivid descriptions to create visual images in the reader's mind. For example, he writes, "The trumpet's loud clangour / Excites us to arms, / With shrill notes of anger, / And mortal alarms." This creates a sense of urgency and excitement in the reader.

Dryden also uses metaphor and simile to compare music to other things. For example, he compares music to "springs in the desert" and "soul of the world." These comparisons help to emphasize the power and importance of music.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, John Dryden's "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the power of music. Through its structure, themes, and literary devices, the poem creates a sense of musicality that draws the reader in and inspires them. Dryden's use of personification, imagery, metaphor, and simile all contribute to the poem's overall impact.

As a literary critic, I can confidently say that "Song For Saint Cecilia's Day" is a timeless piece of poetry that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come. It is a true testament to the power of art and the human imagination.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, 1687: A Masterpiece of Art and Music

John Dryden's Poetry Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, 1687 is a masterpiece of art and music that celebrates the patron saint of music and musicians. This poem is a tribute to the power of music and its ability to inspire and uplift the human spirit. It is a celebration of the beauty and harmony of music, and the role it plays in our lives.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of music. The first part is an ode to the power of music to move the soul. Dryden writes, "From harmony, from heavenly harmony, / This universal frame began: / When Nature underneath a heap / Of jarring atoms lay, / And could not heave her head, / The tuneful voice was heard from high, / 'Arise, ye more than dead!'"

These lines describe the creation of the universe and the role that music played in it. According to Dryden, music was the force that brought order to the chaos of the universe. It was the voice that called forth life from the void and gave meaning to existence. This idea is a powerful one, and it speaks to the deep human need for meaning and purpose.

The second part of the poem is a celebration of the beauty of music. Dryden writes, "Music's the art of heaven; / And in itself is all we know / Of heaven, or heaven-like things below." These lines suggest that music is a glimpse into the divine, a way to experience the transcendent in our everyday lives. It is a reminder that there is more to life than the mundane, and that beauty and wonder can be found in unexpected places.

The third part of the poem is a call to action. Dryden writes, "Let old Timotheus yield the prize, / Or both divide the crown: / He raised a mortal to the skies; / She drew an angel down." These lines are a challenge to musicians to strive for greatness, to create music that can move the soul and inspire the spirit. It is a reminder that music is not just entertainment, but a powerful force for change and transformation.

The poem is also notable for its use of imagery and metaphor. Dryden compares music to a "heavenly harmony" and a "tuneful voice," suggesting that it is a divine force that speaks to us in ways that words cannot. He also uses the metaphor of a "crown" to represent the highest achievement in music, and compares the achievements of two great musicians to the raising of a mortal to the skies and the drawing of an angel down.

The poem is also notable for its use of language. Dryden's writing is rich and evocative, and he uses words and phrases that are both beautiful and meaningful. For example, he describes music as "the art of heaven" and "heaven-like things below," suggesting that it is a way to experience the divine in our everyday lives. He also uses words like "harmony," "tuneful," and "melodious" to describe the beauty of music, and "jarring atoms" to describe the chaos of the universe before music brought order to it.

In addition to its literary qualities, the poem is also a musical masterpiece. It was written to be set to music, and Dryden collaborated with the composer Jeremiah Clarke to create a piece that would do justice to the beauty and power of the words. The resulting composition is a stunning example of baroque music, with soaring melodies and intricate harmonies that perfectly capture the spirit of the poem.

Overall, John Dryden's Poetry Song For Saint Cecilia's Day, 1687 is a masterpiece of art and music that celebrates the power of music to move the soul and inspire the spirit. It is a reminder that there is more to life than the mundane, and that beauty and wonder can be found in unexpected places. It is a call to action for musicians to strive for greatness and create music that can change the world. And it is a testament to the enduring power of art and music to uplift and transform the human spirit.

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