“Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

“Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller first appeared in the 1645 collection Poems, which showcased Waller’s mastery of lyrical and metaphysical poetry. The poem is a delicately crafted carpe diem piece, urging a young woman to embrace her beauty and the admiration it garners before it fades with time. The rose, a symbol of fleeting beauty, serves as a messenger to convey the poet’s appeal, emphasizing themes of transience, self-awareness, and the societal valuation of outward charm. The poem’s enduring popularity lies in its elegant simplicity, emotional resonance, and its universal meditation on the ephemeral nature of youth and beauty, resonating with readers across generations.

Text: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

Annotations: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

Line	Annotation
Go, lovely rose!	The speaker addresses the rose, personifying it as a messenger to carry his sentiments. The rose symbolizes beauty, delicacy, and fleeting life.
Tell her that wastes her time and me,	The speaker accuses the woman of wasting both her beauty (by hiding it) and his affection, emphasizing the urgency of living and love.
That now she knows,	This line shifts responsibility to the woman, suggesting she should realize the poet’s comparison of her to the rose.
When I resemble her to thee,	The speaker likens the woman’s beauty to that of the rose, implying she is as exquisite and ephemeral as the flower.
How sweet and fair she seems to be.	The poet acknowledges the woman’s sweetness and fairness, linking her qualities to the rose’s allure.
Tell her that’s young,	The poet addresses the rose to highlight the woman’s youth, which is central to her beauty and the fleeting nature of time.
And shuns to have her graces spied,	The woman is depicted as shy or reluctant to reveal her beauty to the world, an act the poet finds wasteful.
That hadst thou sprung	The poet suggests that if the rose had grown in isolation, away from human admiration, its beauty would have gone unnoticed.
In deserts, where no men abide,	By likening the hidden beauty of the rose to the woman’s self-concealment, the poet underscores the value of being seen and appreciated.
Thou must have uncommended died.	Beauty, according to the poet, gains worth through recognition and admiration, implying that hidden beauty has no legacy.
Small is the worth	The poet dismisses beauty that is hidden or inaccessible, reinforcing the carpe diem theme.
Of beauty from the light retired;	Beauty must be exposed to light (both literal and metaphorical) to achieve its purpose of being admired.
Bid her come forth,	The poet urges the woman to reveal herself and embrace the admiration she inspires.
Suffer herself to be desired,	The phrase suggests that the woman should allow herself to be loved and appreciated, casting shyness as a barrier to joy.
And not blush so to be admired.	The poet encourages the woman to overcome her modesty and accept admiration as a natural response to her beauty.
Then die! that she	The poet transitions to the rose’s fate, implying it must wither and die to deliver its final message about the transience of beauty.
The common fate of all things rare	The inevitability of death is presented as a universal truth for all rare and beautiful things, including the rose and the woman’s beauty.
May read in thee;	The rose serves as a metaphor for mortality, reminding the woman of the brief nature of her youth and beauty.
How small a part of time they share	The fleeting nature of beauty and life is lamented, emphasizing the urgency of embracing the present.
That are so wondrous sweet and fair!	The poem ends by celebrating the beauty of the rose and the woman while reinforcing its ephemeral quality.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

Literary Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“Suffer herself to be desired”	The repetition of the initial “s” sound adds a melodic quality to the line.
Allusion	“The common fate of all things rare”	An allusion to the inevitability of death and the transient nature of beauty, reflecting broader existential themes.
Anaphora	“Tell her… Tell her”	The repetition of “Tell her” at the beginning of successive clauses emphasizes the poet’s plea.
Apostrophe	“Go, lovely rose!”	The speaker directly addresses the rose, personifying it as a messenger.
Assonance	“How sweet and fair she seems to be”	Repetition of the “ee” vowel sound creates a harmonious effect.
Carpe Diem Theme	“Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired”	The poem encourages the woman to seize the day and embrace her beauty before it fades.
Conceit	Comparing the rose to the woman’s beauty	A central extended metaphor likens the woman’s fleeting beauty to that of the rose.
Contrast	“In deserts, where no men abide”	Contrasts the idea of beauty admired versus beauty hidden and unappreciated.
Diction	“Sweet and fair”	The poet’s choice of words conveys admiration and a sense of delicacy.
Ephemeral Imagery	“Then die! that she… May read in thee”	Imagery emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and beauty.
Enjambment	“And not blush so to be admired. / Then die!”	The continuation of a sentence across lines maintains the poem’s flow and urgency.
Hyperbole	“How small a part of time they share”	Exaggerates the brevity of beauty and life to underscore its transience.
Imagery	“Tell her that wastes her time and me”	Vivid imagery captures the poet’s frustration with the woman’s reluctance to embrace admiration.
Irony	“Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired”	Suggests that beauty has no value if hidden, which contrasts with societal norms of modesty.
Metaphor	“Go, lovely rose!”	The rose is a metaphor for the woman’s beauty and the fleeting nature of youth.
Personification	“Tell her… That now she knows”	The rose is personified as a sentient being capable of delivering messages.
Rhyme Scheme	ABAB in each stanza	A consistent rhyme scheme creates rhythm and musicality.
Symbolism	The rose	The rose symbolizes transient beauty and the brevity of life.
Tone	Admiring yet urgent	The tone conveys both reverence for beauty and a pressing reminder of mortality.
Volta	“Then die! that she”	A shift in tone and focus from admiration to the inevitability of decay and the transient nature of beauty.

Themes: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

• The Transience of Beauty
• A central theme of “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” is the fleeting nature of beauty and life. Edmund Waller uses the rose as a metaphor to underscore how quickly physical charm fades over time. This idea is captured in the lines, “How small a part of time they share / That are so wondrous sweet and fair.” The rose, symbolic of the young woman’s beauty, serves as a vivid reminder that all forms of beauty are ephemeral. Just as the rose will wither and die, so too will youth and physical allure fade, making the theme a poignant reflection on the inevitability of change and the passage of time.
• Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)
• The poem conveys a strong carpe diem message, urging the young woman to embrace her beauty and allow herself to be admired before it is too late. This theme is evident in the line, “Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired,” which emphasizes that hidden beauty serves no purpose. Waller implores the woman to “come forth” and “suffer herself to be desired,” advocating for a life lived openly and without hesitation. Through these appeals, the poet reflects the urgency of living in the present and making the most of fleeting moments of youth and attractiveness.
• The Value of Recognition
• Another prominent theme in “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” is the importance of recognition and appreciation. Waller argues that beauty and worth achieve their fullest potential when they are seen and admired. He writes, “That hadst thou sprung / In deserts, where no men abide, / Thou must have uncommended died,” suggesting that beauty existing in isolation is effectively meaningless. The poet’s metaphor of the rose highlights that admiration and acknowledgment give beauty its true value, reinforcing the idea that what is unappreciated may as well not exist.
• The Inevitability of Mortality
• The poem also meditates on the universal truth of mortality, stressing that all beautiful and rare things must eventually perish. The lines, “Then die! that she / The common fate of all things rare / May read in thee,” tie the life cycle of the rose to human existence. The rose’s eventual withering symbolizes the unavoidable decline of youth and beauty, reminding the young woman of the fleeting nature of life itself. This theme not only underscores the importance of cherishing what is temporary but also aligns with the broader existential contemplation of life and death.

Literary Theories and “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

Literary Theory	Explanation	References from the Poem
Feminist Theory	This theory examines the representation of women and gender roles in literature.	The poem presents the woman as a passive object of beauty, urged to “suffer herself to be desired” and “not blush so to be admired,” reflecting societal expectations of women’s roles.
Carpe Diem Philosophy	Rooted in the classical theme of seizing the day, this theory explores the urgency to live life fully.	The poet’s plea, “Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired,” urges the woman to embrace her beauty and youth, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of both.
Structuralism	This theory focuses on patterns, structures, and binary oppositions in texts.	The poem contrasts hidden versus revealed beauty (“In deserts, where no men abide”), and life versus death (“Then die! that she… May read in thee”), creating a structured exploration of fleeting beauty.

Critical Questions about “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

• How does Waller use the rose as a metaphor for beauty and life?
• Waller employs the rose as a central metaphor for the transience of beauty and life, highlighting its fleeting nature. The rose symbolizes the young woman’s physical charm, which, like the flower, is delicate and temporary. In the lines, “Then die! that she / The common fate of all things rare / May read in thee,” the poet explicitly draws a parallel between the rose’s inevitable decay and the impermanence of beauty. By using the rose as a messenger, Waller illustrates that beauty gains significance through appreciation and recognition, but it ultimately succumbs to the passage of time, reinforcing the theme of ephemerality.
• What role does societal expectation play in the poem’s treatment of beauty?
• The poem reflects societal expectations of women to make their beauty visible and subject to admiration. The lines, “Suffer herself to be desired, / And not blush so to be admired,” suggest that the woman’s reluctance to embrace public recognition of her beauty is a failing in the poet’s eyes. This reveals an implicit cultural norm that values beauty not only for its existence but also for its public display. The poet’s plea for the woman to “come forth” underscores how society often places pressure on women to conform to idealized notions of attractiveness and visibility.
• How does Waller address the theme of mortality in relation to beauty?
• Mortality is a key theme in the poem, with beauty portrayed as inherently finite. Waller explicitly ties the fate of the rose to the fate of all rare and beautiful things, emphasizing in the lines, “How small a part of time they share / That are so wondrous sweet and fair.” The poet’s meditation on death is not limited to the rose but serves as a broader commentary on human existence. By linking beauty to the inevitability of decay, Waller reminds the reader that mortality is universal and underscores the importance of cherishing fleeting moments.
• What is the significance of the poem’s carpe diem message?
• The carpe diem message in “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” is central to its purpose, urging the young woman to embrace her beauty and youth before they fade. The line, “Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired,” encapsulates the poet’s belief that beauty must be appreciated and shared while it lasts. Waller’s exhortation to seize the moment reflects a broader Renaissance tradition of emphasizing the enjoyment of life and love in the face of life’s brevity. This message serves not only as advice to the young woman but also as a universal reminder of the transience of time and the need to live fully.

Literary Works Similar to “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

1. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick
   Similar in its carpe diem theme, this poem also urges young women to make the most of their youth and beauty before they fade.
2. “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?” by William Shakespeare
   Like Waller’s poem, this sonnet reflects on the transient nature of beauty and the poet’s attempt to immortalize it through verse.
3. “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” by Christopher Marlowe
   This poem shares a focus on the fleeting joys of youth and beauty, urging the beloved to embrace love in the present.
4. “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats
   Similar to Waller’s poem, Keats meditates on the ephemerality of life and beauty, contrasting fleeting earthly pleasures with the timeless.
5. “To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marvell
   This poem parallels Waller’s in its appeal to a woman to embrace the pleasures of life and love before time diminishes their ability to enjoy them.

Representative Quotations of “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“Go, lovely rose!”	The opening line addresses the rose, personifying it as a messenger to convey the poet’s feelings.	Structuralism: Highlights the rose as a symbol central to the poem’s structure and themes of beauty and transience.
“Tell her that wastes her time and me”	The poet accuses the woman of wasting both her youth and his affection.	Feminist Theory: Reflects patriarchal expectations that a woman’s beauty and time must serve societal or relational purposes.
“When I resemble her to thee, / How sweet and fair she seems to be.”	Compares the woman’s beauty to the rose, emphasizing her allure.	Aesthetic Theory: Examines the interplay between natural beauty (the rose) and human beauty (the woman), exploring their symbolic connection.
“Tell her that’s young, / And shuns to have her graces spied.”	The poet critiques the woman’s modesty and reluctance to be admired.	Cultural Criticism: Highlights societal expectations of women to publicly display and celebrate their beauty.
“In deserts, where no men abide, / Thou must have uncommended died.”	Suggests that hidden beauty is meaningless if not admired.	Existentialism: Explores the idea that beauty gains meaning only through interaction and recognition.
“Small is the worth of beauty from the light retired.”	Asserts that concealed beauty holds little value.	Carpe Diem Philosophy: Encourages seizing the moment and bringing beauty into the public eye before it fades.
“Bid her come forth, / Suffer herself to be desired.”	Urges the woman to overcome her modesty and embrace admiration.	Feminist Theory: Reflects the tension between societal admiration of beauty and a woman’s autonomy over her self-presentation.
“Then die! that she / The common fate of all things rare / May read in thee.”	Links the rose’s death to the inevitability of mortality for all beautiful things.	Mortality and Time Theory: Examines the transient nature of beauty and life as universal truths.
“How small a part of time they share / That are so wondrous sweet and fair.”	Reflects on the brief existence of beauty in both nature and human life.	Romanticism: Emphasizes the fleeting beauty of nature and humanity, connecting to themes of temporality and the sublime.
“Tell her that wastes her time and me, / That now she knows.”	Imparts urgency for the woman to recognize and embrace her beauty.	Psychological Criticism: Explores the speaker’s frustration and projection of societal values onto the woman.

Suggested Readings: “Song: Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller

1. REICHARDT, DOSIA. “‘Only Your Picture in My Mind’: The Image, the Heart, and the Mirror in Some Seventeenth-Century Poems.” Renaissance and Reformation / Renaissance et Réforme, vol. 30, no. 2, 2006, pp. 67–82. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43445948. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
2. Pritchard, Will. “The Invention of Edmund Waller.” Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700, vol. 22, no. 1, 1998, pp. 1–17. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43293954. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
3. Hillyer, Richard. “Edmund Waller’s Sacred Poems.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 39, no. 1, 1999, pp. 155–69. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/1556310. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
4. De Gooyer, Alan. “Edmund Waller on St. James’s Park.” Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700, vol. 31, no. 1, 2007, pp. 47–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43293790. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
5. Jordan, Joseph P. “The aesthetics of surprise in Waller’s ‘Song'(‘Go, lovely Rose’).” Cahiers Élisabéthains 100.1 (2019): 44-50.