"Song to Celia Analysis"

In “Song to Celia”, Johnson demonstrates his skill of using his words to create emotion that exemplifies his love for a lady. His use of words were mesmerizing, especially lines three and four, “Or leave a kiss but in the cup, and I’ll not look for wine.” His wording brought the meaning to a next level; John Addington Symonds called his poem a “purely lyric composition”.

"Song to Celia"

Drink to me, only with thine eyes

And I will pledge with mine; (Their intimacy can be shown through expression)

Or leave a kiss but in the cup,

And I'll not look for wine. (Her love is stronger than any drink)

The thirst that from the soul doth rise

Doth ask a drink divine: (His soul only desires her love)

But might I of Jove's nectar sup

I would not change for thine. (He would not exchange his love for Jove’s nectar, which is a heavenly nectar drank by the gods.)

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,

Not so much honouring thee (He sent her a rose for a stronger purpose rather just for her beauty)

As giving it a hope that there

It could not withered be

But thou thereon didst only breath

And sent'st it back to me: (She rejected the rose, and sent it back to him.)

Since, when it grows and smells, I swear,

Not of itself but thee. (However, he kept it because of her scent that she placed on it.)

In the context of literature, there are numerous devices seen throughout the poem such as the tone, mood, allusion, and alliteration. A rhyme scheme is also used, which is abcbabcb. All through the poem, the reader would feel that sense of affection and the act of receiving it back. Towards the end of the poem, the man ends up sending his lady flowers, but she returns it back. However, the man doesn’t get rid of it; he holds onto it because it smells more like her than a flower, which sets the mood of true love. Also there is an example of alliteration as well, which is “Doth ask a drink divine”. This short poem brought much meaning and sentiment as a whole.

Personally, I can apply this to my life by always being thankful for the people that love me. There is no greater love from God as well. In Romans 5:8, it says. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Out of everything, from the good to bad, all Christians should be grateful to have a God like Him.

Horton, Ronald A. British Literature. Greenville, SC: BJU Press, 2003.

Perkins, Wendy. "Song: To Celia." Novelguide: Free Study Guides, Free Book Summaries, Free Book Notes, & More. Web. 02 Nov. 2010. .