The Garden
By Andrew Marvell
How vainly men themselves amaze
To win the palm, the oak, or bay,
And their unceasing labors see
Crowned from some single herb or tree,
Whose short and narrow shade
Prudently upbraids their toils;
While all flowers and all trees do close
To weave the garlands of repose.Fair Quiet, have I found thee here,
And Innocence, thy sister dear!
Mistakenly long, I sought you then
In busy companies of men;
Your sacred plants, if here below,
Only among the plants do they grow.
Society is all but rude,
To this delicious solitude.No white nor red was ever seen,
So amorous as this lovely green.
Fond lovers, cruel as their flame,
Cut in these trees their mistress’ name;
Little, alas, they know or heed,
How far these beauties exceed their own!
Fair trees! wherever your bark I wound,
No name shall but your own be found.When we have run our passion’s heat,
Love hither makes his best retreat.
The gods, that mortal beauty chase,
Still in a tree ended their race:
Apollo hunted Daphne so that she might become a laurel tree;
And Pan, after Syrinx, sped,
Not as a nymph, but for a reed.
In their quest, nature’s grace.What wondrous life in this I lead!
Ripe apples drop about my head;
The luscious clusters of the vine
upon my mouth crush their wine;
The nectarine and curious peach
reach into my hands themselves;
Stumbling on melons as I pass,
ensnared with flowers, I fall onto grass.Meanwhile the mind, from pleasureless,
withdraws into its happiness;
The mind, that ocean where each kind
straight finds its own resemblance;
Yet it creates, transcending these,
far other worlds, and other seas;
Annihilating all that’s made to a green thought
in a green shade.Here at the fountain’s sliding foot,
Or at some fruit tree’s mossy root,
Casting the body’s vest aside,
My soul into the boughs does glide;
There, like a bird, it sits and sings,
then waits, and combs its silver wings;
And, till prepared for longer flight,
waves in its plumes the various light.Such was that happy garden-state,
while man there walked without a mate;
after a place so pure and sweet,
what other help could yet be met!
But it was beyond a mortal’s share
to wander solitary there;
Two paradises ’twere in one,
to live in paradise alone.How well the skillful gardener drew
of flowers and herbs this design new,
where from above the milder sun
through a fragrant zodiac run;
And as it works, the industrious bee
computes its time as well as we;
How could such sweet and wholesome hours
be reckoned but with herbs and flowers!
Summary
Andrew Marvell’s “The Garden” is a masterful metaphysical poem that explores the contrast between human striving and the peaceful abundance of nature. The poem begins by questioning the value of worldly ambition—the pursuit of “palm, oak, or bay”—and suggests that true contentment is found not in achievement but in appreciating the simple, enduring beauty of the natural world. The speaker discovers that “Quiet” and “Innocence” are not to be found in the bustling world of society, but within the secluded sanctuary of his garden. The garden becomes a symbol of inner peace and a space for contemplation. The speaker marvels at the garden’s abundance—falling apples, ripe grapes, and fragrant flowers—and describes a profound connection between the natural world and the human mind. Ultimately, the poem suggests that the truest paradise lies in a harmonious connection with nature, a place where the soul can wander freely and the mind can achieve a state of serene contemplation. It’s a celebration of solitude, simplicity, and the restorative power of the natural world.
Major Themes
The Power of Nature
The garden is not merely a pleasant landscape, but a refuge from the anxieties and superficialities of human life.
The Contrast Between Artifice and Simplicity
All flowers and all trees do close
To weave the garlands of repose.
The Search for Inner Peace
The entire garden can be read as an extended metaphor, revealing the speaker’s yearning for peace.
The Idealized Past
The idealized past of the garden, rooted in a prelapsarian state, reminds us that the present may be a lost paradise.
Analysis of Literary Devices
Metaphor
The entire garden can be read as an extended metaphor, revealing the speaker’s yearning for peace and a profound sense of unity.
Simile
There like a bird it sits and sings, echoing the grace of nature.
Personification
While all flowers and all trees do close
To weave the garlands of repose.
Allusion
The allusions to Greek mythology—Apollo and Pan—ground the poem in a broader mythic context. These stories also underscore the idea that nature is a source of both inspiration and solace.
Structure and Form
“The Garden” is composed of nine stanzas, each consisting of eight lines written in iambic tetrameter. This regular meter contributes to the poem’s harmonious rhythm.
Rhyme Scheme
Each stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, creating a musical quality that complements the natural imagery.
Enjambment
Lines flow seamlessly into one another, reinforcing the continuous nature of the garden’s experience.
Diction and Tone
The diction is vivid and evocative, capturing the senses. The tone is contemplative and reverent, reflecting the speaker’s awe.
Quote
Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers!