The Spring
By Thomas Carew
Now that the winter’s gone, the earth hath lost
Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost
Candies the grass, or casts an icy cream
Upon the silver lake or crystal stream;
But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth,
And makes it tender; gives a sacred birth
To the dead swallow; wakes in hollow tree
The drowsy cuckoo, and the humble-bee.
Now do a choir of chirping minstrels bring
In triumph to the world the youthful Spring.
The valleys, hills, and woods in rich array
Welcome the coming of the long’d-for May.
Now all things smile; only my love doth lour;
Nor hath the scalding noonday sun the power
To melt that marble ice, which still doth hold
Her heart congeal’d, and makes her pity cold.
The ox, which lately did for shelter fly
Into the stall, doth now securely lie
In open fields; and love no more is made
By the fireside, but in the cooler shade
Amyntas now doth with his Chloris sleep
Under a sycamore, and all things keep
Time with the season; only she doth carry
June in her eyes, in her heart January.
Summary of The Spring
- Popularity of “The Spring”: Thomas Carew’s “The Spring” is a celebrated poem written in the elegant form of the heroic couplet. It’s a masterful blend of joyful descriptions of nature awakening with the poignant ache of unrequited love. First published in 1640 in London, the poem continues to resonate with readers due to its skillful depiction of contrasting themes and vivid imagery.
- “The Spring” As a Representative of Nature and Love: The poem opens with a beautiful portrayal of the transition from winter to spring. Carew meticulously describes the melting of ice, the gentle thawing of the earth, and the return of life – symbolized by the swallow and the cuckoo. This blossoming world sets a backdrop against which the speaker’s unrequited love is highlighted. While nature celebrates renewal and joy, his beloved remains emotionally frozen, untouched by the warmth of the season. The contrast is striking – the world embracing life and love, while she holds onto winter within her heart. He observes other couples, like Amyntas and Chloris, enjoying the spring’s warmth, further emphasizing his own loneliness.
- Major Themes in “The Spring”: The poem revolves around three core themes: the arrival of spring, the experience of unrequited love, and the cyclical nature of the seasons. The poet revels in the beauty and renewal that spring brings, showcasing the vibrant return of life. However, this joy is shadowed by his longing for a love that remains unattainable. The recurring motif of the seasons – the warmth of June contrasted with the cold of January – effectively symbolizes the emotional distance between the speaker and his beloved. The poem beautifully illustrates how external beauty can exist alongside internal sorrow.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in The Spring
Literary devices are the tools writers use to craft compelling and meaningful works. Examining these devices helps us appreciate the artistry of a poem and deepen our understanding of its message. Here’s an in-depth look at the devices employed in “The Spring.”
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words. This creates a musical effect and can emphasize certain ideas. In “The Spring,” we see examples like the repetition of the /o/ sound in “Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost,” creating a flowing, lyrical quality. The /aw/ sound in “But the warm sun thaws the benumbed earth” adds to the poem’s melodic nature.
- Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in close succession. While less prominent than assonance, it appears in phrases like “now no,” subtly linking the words and enhancing the rhythm.
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within words, regardless of their position. The repetition of the /r/ sound in “Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost” and the /l/ sound in “Now all things smile; only my love doth lour” adds texture and musicality to the lines.
- Enjambment: Enjambment occurs when a phrase or sentence continues from one line to the next without punctuation. This creates a sense of flow and momentum. Consider these lines:
- Imagery: Imagery uses vivid language to appeal to the reader’s five senses. “The Spring” is rich with imagery: “The valleys, hills, and woods in rich array” paints a beautiful picture of a vibrant landscape. “To melt that marble ice, which still doth hold” creates a strong visual image of the beloved’s coldness, and “By the fireside, but in the cooler shade” appeals to our sense of touch and temperature.
- Metaphor: A metaphor is an implied comparison between two unlike things. In this poem, the earth is implicitly compared to a person awakening from a winter slumber. The sun is presented as a life-giving force, and the valleys, hills, and woods are given human qualities.
- Personification: Personification gives human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract ideas. The poet personifies the earth, the sun, the hills, the valleys, and the woods, attributing emotions and actions to them as if they were living beings.
- Symbolism: Symbolism uses objects or ideas to represent something else. The seasons themselves are symbolic. Spring represents renewal, joy, and love. Winter symbolizes coldness, isolation, and unrequited affection. The contrast between June and January in the beloved’s heart reinforces this symbolism.
Amyntas now doth with his Chloris sleep
Under a sycamore, and all things keep
Time with the season; only she doth carry
June in her eyes, in her heart January.
The thought continues seamlessly across the lines, mimicking the continuous cycle of nature.
Rhyme and Structure
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem adheres to a consistent AABB rhyme scheme throughout its 24 verses. This creates a sense of order and predictability, contributing to the poem’s musical flow.
- Heroic Couplet: The poem is written in heroic couplets – pairs of rhyming lines – a common form in 17th‑century poetry. This structure gives the poem a formal and elegant quality.
- End Rhyme: The poem relies heavily on end rhyme, where the final words of each line rhyme with each other. Examples include “lost/frost,” “cream/stream,” and “carry/January.” This contributes to the poem’s overall musicality and memorability.
Quotes to be Used
These lines from “The Spring” are particularly effective when teaching about conservation, seasonal changes, or climate change.
Now that the winter’s gone, the earth hath lost
Her snow-white robes, and now no more the frost
Candies the grass, or casts an icy cream
Upon the silver lake or crystal stream
These lines beautifully capture the visual transformation that occurs with the arrival of spring, highlighting the delicate balance of nature and the importance of preserving these natural cycles.