'Ask Me No More' by Thomas Carew


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1630Ask me no more where Jove bestows,
When June is past, the fading rose;
For in your beauty's orient deep
These flowers, as in their causes, sleep.Ask me no more whither do stray
The golden atoms of the day;
For in pure love heaven did prepare
Those powders to enrich your hair.Ask me no more whither doth haste
The nightingale when May is past;
For in your sweet dividing throat
She winters and keeps warm her note.Ask me no more where those stars 'light
That downwards fall in dead of night;
For in your eyes they sit, and there
Fixed become as in their sphere.Ask me no more if east or west
The Phoenix builds her spicy nest;
For unto you at last she flies,
And in your fragrant bosom dies.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Ask Me No More by Thomas Carew: A Masterpiece of Poetic Elegance

Thomas Carew, a renowned poet of the 17th century, was known for his witty and charming verses. His poem "Ask Me No More" is a masterpiece of poetic elegance that captures the essence of love and longing in a beautiful and subtle manner.

The Theme of Love and Longing

At its core, "Ask Me No More" is a poem about love and longing. The speaker of the poem is deeply in love with someone, and he yearns for her affection and attention. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this theme:

Ask me no more where Jove bestows, When June is past, the fading rose; For in your beauty's orient deep These flowers, as in their causes, sleep.

These lines establish the idea that the speaker is madly in love with the woman in question, and he sees her as the embodiment of beauty and perfection. He is so smitten with her that he doesn't care about anything else in the world, not even the fading of the rose or the changing of the seasons.

This theme of love and longing is further developed throughout the poem, as the speaker continues to express his desire for the woman he loves. He tells her that he would do anything for her, even if it meant giving up his own life:

Ask me no more if east or west The phoenix builds her spicy nest; For unto you at last she flies, And in your fragrant bosom dies.

These lines are both beautiful and poignant, as they convey the depth of the speaker's love for his beloved. He sees her as the ultimate destination for all things beautiful and precious, including the mythical phoenix, which is said to rise from the ashes and be reborn. In this way, he implies that he would sacrifice everything for her, even his own life.

The Use of Imagery and Figurative Language

One of the things that sets "Ask Me No More" apart from other poems of the time is its use of vivid imagery and figurative language. Throughout the poem, Carew employs a variety of metaphors and similes to describe the woman he loves and his feelings for her.

For example, he compares her beauty to the rising sun:

Ask me no more whither do stray The golden atoms of the day; For, oh! you know not what you do When you ask that of me or why I should smile.

This comparison is both beautiful and appropriate, as the rising sun is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring sights in nature. By comparing the woman to the sun, the speaker is saying that she is the most beautiful and perfect thing in the world, and that he is in awe of her.

Similarly, Carew uses the metaphor of a rose to describe the woman's beauty:

Ask me no more if east or west The phoenix builds her spicy nest; For unto you at last she flies, And in your fragrant bosom dies.

Here, the rose is a symbol of beauty and elegance, and the woman is compared to it because of her own beauty and elegance. The idea of the rose dying in the woman's bosom is a powerful one, as it suggests that the woman is so perfect and beautiful that even nature itself would die to be near her.

The Use of Structure and Form

Another aspect of "Ask Me No More" that makes it a masterpiece of poetic elegance is its structure and form. The poem is written in rhyme royal, a form of poetry that was popular in the 14th and 15th centuries. This form consists of seven-line stanzas, with a rhyme scheme of ababbcc.

The use of rhyme royal gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, which is appropriate for a poem that is about love and longing. The poem is also divided into four stanzas, each of which develops the theme of love and longing in its own way.

In addition to its structure and form, "Ask Me No More" also uses repetition and parallelism to create a sense of unity and coherence. For example, the phrase "Ask me no more" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of momentum and urgency. Likewise, the parallel structure of the opening lines of each stanza ("Ask me no more...") creates a sense of symmetry and balance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Ask Me No More" is a masterpiece of poetic elegance that captures the essence of love and longing in a beautiful and subtle manner. Through its use of vivid imagery, figurative language, structure, and form, the poem creates a sense of symmetry and balance that is appropriate for a poem about love and longing.

Carew's use of rhyme royal and repetition gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence, while his metaphors and similes create a powerful and lasting impression. Overall, "Ask Me No More" is a timeless poem that continues to inspire and delight readers with its beauty and elegance.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Ask Me No More: A Classic Poem by Thomas Carew

Thomas Carew, a prominent English poet of the 17th century, is known for his elegant and refined poetry that often explores themes of love, beauty, and mortality. One of his most famous works is the poem "Ask Me No More," which has been admired for its lyrical beauty and emotional depth. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem "Ask Me No More" is a love poem that expresses the speaker's feelings for his beloved. The poem begins with the line "Ask me no more where Jove bestows," which refers to the Roman god Jupiter, who was known for his power and authority. The speaker is essentially saying that he does not care about the gods or their powers, as long as he has his beloved by his side. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is focused on the speaker's love for his beloved.

The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "Ask me no more if east or west," which again emphasizes the speaker's indifference to external factors. He does not care about the direction of the wind or the movement of the stars, as long as he has his beloved with him. The line "The tempting stars do not bewitch" suggests that the speaker is not swayed by the allure of fame or fortune, but is content with the simple pleasures of love.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most emotional, as it expresses the speaker's fear of losing his beloved. The line "Ask me no more if the man that's slain" refers to death, and the speaker is essentially saying that he does not want to think about the possibility of losing his beloved. The line "All deaths are too few, if love be one" suggests that the speaker would rather die himself than lose his beloved. This is a powerful expression of love and devotion, and it adds a sense of urgency and intensity to the poem.

The fourth stanza of the poem is more philosophical in nature, as it explores the nature of love and its relationship to time. The line "Ask me no more whither do stray" suggests that the speaker does not want to think about the future, but wants to live in the present moment with his beloved. The line "Love's not love when it is past" suggests that love is a fleeting emotion that cannot be captured or preserved, but must be experienced in the present moment. This is a common theme in Carew's poetry, as he often explores the transience of beauty and love.

The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's love for his beloved. The line "Ask me no more if east or west" is repeated, emphasizing the speaker's single-minded devotion to his beloved. The line "Love's an unbounded sea" suggests that love is infinite and boundless, and cannot be contained or measured. The final line of the poem, "Ask me no more," is a powerful statement of the speaker's desire to live in the present moment and enjoy the simple pleasures of love.

The structure of the poem is simple and elegant, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and helps to emphasize the emotional content. The language of the poem is also simple and direct, with few complex metaphors or allusions. This simplicity helps to convey the speaker's emotional sincerity and adds to the overall beauty of the poem.

In conclusion, "Ask Me No More" is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, beauty, and mortality. The poem is a beautiful expression of the speaker's love for his beloved, and it is characterized by its emotional depth, lyrical beauty, and philosophical insights. The poem is a testament to Carew's skill as a poet, and it continues to be admired and studied by readers and scholars alike.

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