'Apology To Delia: For Desiring A Lock Of Her Hair' by William Cowper
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Delia, the unkindest girl on earth,
When I besought the fair,
That favour of intrinsic worth
A ringlet of her hair,Refused that instant to comply
With my absurd request,
For reasons she could specify,
Some twenty score at least.Trust me, my dear, however odd
It may appear to say,
I sought it merely to defraud
Thy spoiler of his prey.Yes! when its sister locks shall fade,
As quickly fade they must,
When all their beauties are decayed,
Their gloss, their colour, lost-Ah then! if haply to my share
Some slender pittance fall,
If I but gain one single hair,
Nor age usurp them all;-When you behold it still as sleek,
As lovely to the view,
As when it left thy snowy neck,
That Eden where it grew,Then shall my Delia's self declare
That I professed the truth,
And have preserved my little share
In everlasting youth.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Apology To Delia: For Desiring A Lock Of Her Hair
Introduction
William Cowper's "Apology To Delia: For Desiring A Lock Of Her Hair" is a classic poem that expresses the speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair. The poem, which was written in the late 18th century, is a reflection of the romantic era's beliefs and values. Cowper, who was a prominent poet of his time, uses language and imagery to express his desires and emotions towards Delia.
Analysis
The poem is written in the traditional form of a sonnet, consisting of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The structure of the sonnet is significant as it highlights the poet's ability to express his feelings in a structured and orderly manner. The poem's structure also reflects the romantic era's fascination with order and symmetry.
The speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair is expressed in the first stanza, where he states, "Since now the hour is come at last, When you must quit your anxious lover; Since now our dream of bliss is past, One pang, my girl, and all is over." The speaker acknowledges that their dream of being together is over and that Delia must leave. He asks for one last thing, a lock of Delia's hair, as a memento of their love.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the beauty of Delia's hair, comparing it to "nimble sylphs" and "amorous zephyrs." The speaker's use of imagery and personification creates a vivid picture of Delia's hair, emphasizing its beauty and desirability. The speaker also compares Delia's hair to "threads of beaten gold," which is a common comparison used in romantic literature to describe a woman's hair.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the power of memory and how a lock of Delia's hair would serve as a constant reminder of their love. He states, "And I, if you the truth must know, Will hang it in my secret bow, And tell the trunk, when I'm a ghost, 'Twas that which kept our passion most." The speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair is not just about possessing something physical but also about the emotional and sentimental value it holds.
In the fourth and final stanza, the speaker apologizes for his desire for a lock of Delia's hair, acknowledging that it may seem selfish and vain. He states, "Then let the lock of golden hue Which round your snowy forehead grew, And which so oft has caught the view, Be now the deathless pledge we've given." The speaker's apology and acknowledgement of his desire is a sign of his respect for Delia and their relationship.
Interpretation
The poem is a reflection of the romantic era's beliefs and values, particularly the idea of sentimentalism. Sentimentalism is the belief that emotions and feelings are of utmost importance and should be expressed and celebrated. The speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair is a reflection of this belief, as he values the emotional and sentimental value it holds.
The poem also reflects the romantic era's fascination with nature and beauty. The speaker's comparison of Delia's hair to "nimble sylphs" and "amorous zephyrs" highlights this fascination with the beauty and wonder of nature. The use of personification and imagery in the poem creates a vivid picture of Delia's hair, emphasizing its beauty and desirability.
The poem also reflects the romantic era's fascination with memory and the past. The speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair is not just about possessing something physical but also about the emotional and sentimental value it holds. The speaker acknowledges the power of memory and how a lock of Delia's hair would serve as a constant reminder of their love.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Cowper's "Apology To Delia: For Desiring A Lock Of Her Hair" is a classic poem that expresses the speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair. The poem is a reflection of the romantic era's beliefs and values, particularly the idea of sentimentalism, nature, beauty, and memory. The speaker's desire for a lock of Delia's hair is not just about possessing something physical but also about the emotional and sentimental value it holds. The poem's use of imagery and structure creates a vivid picture of Delia's hair, emphasizing its beauty and desirability. Cowper's poem is a classic example of the romantic era's fascination with emotion, nature, and memory.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
William Cowper's "Apology to Delia: For Desiring a Lock of Her Hair" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and regret. The poem is written in the form of an apology to Delia, a woman whom the speaker desires. The speaker expresses his regret for asking for a lock of her hair, which he sees as a violation of her privacy and a betrayal of her trust. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing Delia directly, expressing his remorse for his actions. He acknowledges that his request for a lock of her hair was inappropriate and that he has caused her pain. He describes his desire for her as a "fond excess," suggesting that his feelings for her are intense and overwhelming. However, he also recognizes that his desire has caused him to act in a way that is disrespectful to her.
The theme of love and desire is central to the poem. The speaker's desire for Delia is portrayed as a powerful force that he cannot control. He describes it as a "flame" that burns within him, consuming him with its intensity. However, the poem also explores the darker side of desire, highlighting the ways in which it can lead to betrayal and regret. The speaker's request for a lock of Delia's hair is seen as a violation of her privacy and a betrayal of her trust. He recognizes that his actions have caused her pain and that he has damaged their relationship.
The poem also explores the theme of regret. The speaker expresses his remorse for his actions, acknowledging that he has made a mistake. He describes his desire for Delia as a "blindness" that has caused him to act without thinking. However, he also recognizes that his regret cannot undo the harm that he has caused. He acknowledges that Delia may never forgive him for his actions, and that he must live with the consequences of his mistake.
The poem is written in the form of an apology, with the speaker addressing Delia directly. This creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, as if we are eavesdropping on a private conversation. The use of the first person perspective also allows us to see the speaker's thoughts and emotions, giving us insight into his character.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow, giving the poem a musical quality. The use of rhyme also emphasizes the speaker's remorse, as if he is trying to make amends through the beauty of his words.
The poem was written in the 18th century, a time when courtly love was a popular literary theme. Courtly love was a medieval tradition that celebrated the love between a knight and a noblewoman. It was characterized by chivalry, devotion, and romantic gestures. The speaker's desire for Delia can be seen as a reflection of this tradition, as he is willing to go to great lengths to express his love for her.
However, the poem also reflects the changing attitudes towards love and desire that were emerging in the 18th century. The Enlightenment had brought about a new emphasis on reason and rationality, and many writers began to question the traditional ideals of courtly love. The speaker's regret for his actions can be seen as a reflection of this changing attitude, as he recognizes the harm that his desire has caused.
In conclusion, William Cowper's "Apology to Delia: For Desiring a Lock of Her Hair" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and regret. The poem is written in the form of an apology, with the speaker expressing his remorse for his actions. The use of rhyme and rhythm creates a musical quality, emphasizing the beauty of the speaker's words. The poem reflects the changing attitudes towards love and desire that were emerging in the 18th century, highlighting the ways in which desire can lead to betrayal and regret. Overall, the poem is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human emotion, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
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