Author: Eugene Field
What perfumed, posie-dizened sirrah, With smiles for diet, Clasps you, O fair but faithless Pyrrha, On the quiet? For whom do you bind up your tresses, As spun-gold yellow,-- Meshes that go, with your caresses, To snare a fellow? How will he rail at fate capricious, And curse you duly! Yet now he deems your wiles delicious, You perfect, truly! Pyrrha, your love's a treacherous ocean; He'll soon fall in there! Then shall I gloat on his commotion, For I have been there!
Type of Poem: Lyric Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This poem is a haunting exploration of unrequited love, desire, and the inevitable disillusionment that follows. The speaker employs vivid imagery and rich metaphor to depict the enchanting yet deceitful character, Pyrrha, who is portrayed as a seductive and deceptive figure.
The poem's tone is one of warning and slight bitterness, underlined by the speaker's own experiences of Pyrrha's unfaithfulness. The poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions and declarations, creating an engaging dialogue between the speaker and the unnamed "sirrah"—a term for a man considered inferior—who is currently entangled in Pyrrha's allure.
The poem's primary theme is the deceptive nature of appearances and the pain of love's disillusionment. This is encapsulated in the metaphor of Pyrrha's love as a "treacherous ocean", implying danger and unpredictability beneath a seemingly serene surface. This metaphor also hints at the poem's broader exploration of the intoxicating yet perilous nature of passion, insinuating that love, like the sea, can lure one in only to ultimately cause harm.
The speaker's language is richly ornate, with phrases like "perfumed, posie-dizened sirrah" and "spun-gold yellow", contributing to the poem's overall sense of lavishness and excess, mirroring the intoxicating power of Pyrrha's charm. This lavishness is offset by the harsh realities of Pyrrha's nature, exposed in the final lines, adding a layer of dramatic irony to the poem.
Thus, this poem serves as a potent cautionary tale about the dangers of unrequited love and the deceptive allure of beauty, framed within a vividly painted narrative of seduction and betrayal.
Lyric poetry is a powerful and intimate form of expression, characterized by its focus on the personal emotions and thoughts of the poet. Often musical in nature, lyric poems resonate with readers through their vivid language and rhythmic flow, capturing moments of intense feeling.
Here are some key characteristics that define lyric poetry:
From ancient odes to contemporary free verse, lyric poetry remains a beloved and enduring form, celebrated for its ability to articulate the nuances of human emotion in a way that resonates deeply with readers.