Embedded Files
The other two, slight ayre, and purging fire,
Are both with thee, where-ever I abide,
The first my thought, the other my desire,
These present absent with swift motion slide.
For when these quicker Elements are gone
In tender Embassie of love to thee,
My life being made of foure, with two alone,
Sinkes downe to death, opprest with melancholie.
Untill lifes composition be recured,
By those swift messengers return'd from thee,
Who even but now come back againe assured,
Of thy faire health, recounting it to me.
This told, I joy, but then no longer glad,
I send them back againe and straight grow sad.
Commentary
Commentary
Address to his absent beloved
Address to his absent beloved
Changes to the original text: line 9, 'lives' changed to 'lifes'; line 12, 'their' changed to 'thy'
The first quatrain carries on from Sonnet 44, in which the first two elements of the four thought to make up the world, earth and water, are mentioned. Now the poet reports that the other two elements, air and fire, representing thought and desire, are both presently absent with his friend.
In the second quatrain, the poet observes that, lacking the two quick elements, he is subject to melancholy.
In the third quatrain, the poet remarks that, when his two lacking elements return to him bringing news of his friend, he is overjoyed.
In the final couplet, the poet tells his friend that when he sends these elements back, he immediately becomes sad again.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse