Welcome, aspiring poets and curious minds, to a journey into the heart of one of English literature’s most cherished lyrical poems. Today, we unravel the timeless beauty and profound emotion woven into Ben Jonson’s “Song: To Celia.” Prepare to discover the layers of meaning, the masterful use of language, and the enduring power of a love expressed through verse.
Song: To Celia
by Ben Jonson
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.
“Song: To Celia” at a Glance: Summary and Central Idea
“Song: To Celia” is a masterful lyrical poem by Ben Jonson, first published in 1616. It captures the essence of profound, albeit seemingly unrequited, love through the voice of a speaker deeply enamored with a woman named Celia. The poem unfolds as a heartfelt plea and a declaration of devotion, where the speaker expresses a desire for connection that transcends physical presence or grand gestures.
The central idea of “Song: To Celia” revolves around the speaker’s intense spiritual and emotional longing for Celia, valuing her essence and even the smallest sign of her acknowledgement above all else. He yearns for a connection so deep that a mere glance from her eyes is more intoxicating than wine, and a breath from her lips can imbue an ordinary object with eternal beauty and fragrance. This poem beautifully illustrates how love can elevate the beloved to an almost divine status, transforming the mundane into the miraculous through the lover’s perception.
A noteworthy aspect of this poem for common readers is its enduring popularity as a song. Its smooth rhythm and evocative imagery made it easily adaptable to music, contributing to its lasting presence in popular culture and making it one of Jonson’s most widely recognized works.
Unpacking the Artistry: Literary and Poetic Devices in “Song: To Celia”
Ben Jonson’s “Song: To Celia” is a testament to the power of poetic craft, employing a rich tapestry of literary and poetic devices to convey its themes of love, longing, and idealization. An in-depth analysis reveals how each element contributes to the poem’s emotional resonance and timeless appeal.
Figurative Language: Beyond the Literal
Jonson masterfully uses figurative language to elevate the speaker’s emotions and create vivid, imaginative comparisons.
- Metaphor: A central metaphor compares Celia’s affection to a divine drink, suggesting its intoxicating and life-sustaining power. The lines,
“Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.”establish this comparison immediately. Celia’s gaze or a symbolic kiss left in a cup is presented as far more satisfying than actual wine, highlighting the spiritual nature of the speaker’s thirst.
- Hyperbole: Exaggeration for effect is evident in the speaker’s claim that even Jove’s nectar, the drink of the gods, would be inferior to Celia’s touch.
“But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.”This hyperbole underscores the immense value the speaker places on Celia’s affection, elevating it to a status beyond even divine pleasure.
- Paradox: The poem presents a striking paradox in the lines:
“The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;”Here, a spiritual thirst is described as needing a “divine drink,” which is then implicitly identified with Celia’s presence or affection. This contradiction emphasizes that the speaker’s longing is not for physical sustenance but for a profound, spiritual connection that only Celia can provide.
- Personification: In the second stanza, the rosy wreath is imbued with human-like qualities. The speaker sends it with “a hope, that there
It could not withered be.” This gives the wreath a desire for immortality. More strikingly, after Celia breathes upon it, the wreath “grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.” The wreath is personified as having absorbed Celia’s essence, suggesting it now possesses her spirit and fragrance, rather than its own natural properties.
Imagery and Sensory Details: Painting with Words
Jonson employs vivid imagery to engage the reader’s senses and create a rich, immersive experience.
- Visual Imagery: The “rosy wreath” in the second stanza provides a strong visual image of beauty and natural elegance. The speaker’s desire for Celia to “Drink to me only with thine eyes” also evokes a powerful visual of intimate, non-verbal communication.
- Olfactory Imagery: The most potent sensory detail comes in the final lines, where the wreath, returned by Celia, “smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.” This appeals directly to the sense of smell, creating a powerful image of Celia’s pervasive and enchanting essence. The fragrance becomes a tangible manifestation of her presence.
Sound Devices: The Music of Language
The poem’s musicality is enhanced through the careful use of sound devices, contributing to its lyrical quality.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates a subtle rhythm and emphasis. For example, in “Doth ask a drink divine,” the recurring ‘d’ sound gently underscores the speaker’s deep yearning. Similarly, “rosy wreath” (line 9) offers a soft, pleasing repetition.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words adds to the poem’s melodic flow. In “But might I of Jove’s nectar sup” (line 7), the repeated ‘i’ and ‘u’ sounds create a harmonious effect, drawing attention to the speaker’s contemplation of divine pleasure.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words contributes to the poem’s texture. The ‘n’ sound in “Not so much honouring thee” (line 9) provides a subtle, lingering emphasis, reinforcing the speaker’s true intention behind the gift.
Structure and Rhythm: The Poem’s Framework
The formal structure and rhythmic patterns of “Song: To Celia” contribute significantly to its elegance and memorability.
- Stanza: The poem is composed of two quatrains, meaning two stanzas of four lines each. This concise structure allows Jonson to develop two distinct but related ideas: the speaker’s spiritual thirst for Celia’s gaze and the transformative power of her breath on the wreath.
- Rhyme Scheme: A consistent ABAB end rhyme scheme is employed throughout both stanzas. For instance, in the first stanza, “eyes” (A) rhymes with “rise” (A), and “mine” (B) rhymes with “wine” (B). This predictable and pleasing pattern creates a sense of musicality, balance, and cohesion, making the poem feel complete and harmonious.
- Meter: “Song: To Celia” is primarily written in iambic tetrameter. Each line generally consists of four iambs, where an iamb is a metrical foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable (da-DUM). This regular rhythm, as heard in “Drink to me ON-ly WITH thine EYES,” contributes to the poem’s graceful flow and song-like quality, making it easy to read and recite.
- Enjambment: While the poem largely uses end-stopped lines, there are instances of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues onto the next line without punctuation. Observe how lines 11 and 12 flow seamlessly together:
“As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be.”This technique creates a sense of momentum and natural speech, preventing the poem from feeling too rigid and allowing the thought to unfold organically.
Diction and Tone: The Voice of Devotion
Jonson’s careful selection of words and the resulting emotional atmosphere are crucial to the poem’s impact.
- Diction: The poem employs an elevated and refined diction, characterized by words like “thine,” “doth,” “sup,” and “wreath.” This formal language creates a sense of reverence and dignity, perfectly suiting the speaker’s profound and idealized feelings for Celia. The word choices contribute to the poem’s timeless quality and its classical elegance.
- Tone: The prevailing tone of “Song: To Celia” is one of passionate admiration, tender longing, and profound devotion. The speaker’s voice is reverent and earnest, even in the face of what appears to be unrequited love. There is no bitterness, only an unwavering idealization of Celia, conveyed through the gentle yet fervent language.
Symbolism: Layers of Meaning
Elements within the poem carry symbolic weight, enriching its thematic depth.
- Eyes: The eyes symbolize deep connection, intimacy, and unspoken understanding. The speaker’s desire to “Drink to me only with thine eyes” suggests that true communion lies in a shared glance, a spiritual bond that transcends words.
- Cup: The cup signifies offering, sharing, and a vessel for affection. A “kiss but in the cup” becomes a symbolic gesture of love, more potent than any physical drink.
- Wine/Jove’s Nectar: These symbolize earthly pleasures and even divine indulgence. By rejecting them in favor of Celia’s affection, the speaker elevates his love for her above all other forms of gratification, emphasizing its unique and supreme value.
- Rosy Wreath: The wreath symbolizes beauty, fleetingness, and the enduring power of love. Initially, it represents mortal beauty that will wither. However, through Celia’s breath, it transforms into a symbol of immortal beauty and the lasting essence of the beloved, infused with her spirit.
Conclusion: The Enduring Charm of “Song: To Celia”
“Song: To Celia” stands as a brilliant example of Ben Jonson’s poetic genius. Through its elegant structure, musical language, and profound emotional depth, the poem transcends a simple declaration of love. It explores the transformative power of idealization, where the beloved’s smallest gesture can imbue the world with divine significance. By mastering literary and poetic devices, Jonson crafts a timeless piece that continues to resonate, inviting readers to appreciate the beauty of devotion and the artistry of language.
This poem remains a cornerstone of English literature, celebrated for its lyrical grace and its poignant portrayal of a love that finds its deepest satisfaction not in possession, but in admiration and the cherished essence of the beloved. It is a true gem for anyone seeking to understand the enduring power of verse.