Corinna's Going a Maying, Robert Herrick: Summary, Analysis & Themes

Robert Herrick's poem "Corinna's Going a Maying" is a lively and joyful celebration of May Day, urging the speaker's beloved Corinna to rise early and participate in the traditional festivities. The poem captures the spirit of the season with vivid descriptions of nature, communal activities, and the fleeting nature of youth and life.

"Corinna's Going a Maying" Poem Text by Robert Herrick

Get up, get up for shame, the Blooming Morne
Upon her wings presents the god unshorne.
See how Aurora throwes her faire
Fresh-quilted colours through the aire:
Get up, sweet-Slug-a-bed, and see
The Dew-bespangling Herbe and Tree.
Each Flower has wept, and bow'd toward the East,
Above an houre since; yet you not drest,
Nay! not so much as out of bed?
When all the Birds have Mattens seyd,
And sung their thankful Hymnes: 'tis sin,
Nay, profanation to keep in,
When as a thousand Virgins on this day,
Spring, sooner than the Lark, to fetch in May.

Rise; and put on your Foliage, and be seene
To come forth, like the Spring-time, fresh and greene;
And sweet as Flora. Take no care
For Jewels for your Gowne, or Haire:
Feare not; the leaves will strew
Gemms in abundance upon you:
Besides, the childhood of the Day has kept,
Against you come, some Orient Pearls unwept:
Come, and receive them while the light
Hangs on the Dew-locks of the night:
And Titan on the Eastern hill
Retires himselfe, or else stands still
Till you come forth. Wash, dresse, be briefe in praying:
Few Beads are best, when once we goe a Maying.

Come, my Corinna, come; and comming, marke
How each field turns a street; each street a Parke
Made green, and trimm'd with trees: see how
Devotion gives each House a Bough,
Or Branch: Each Porch, each doore, ere this,
An Arke a Tabernacle is
Made up of white-thorn neatly enterwove;
As if here were those cooler shades of love.
Can such delights be in the street,
And open fields, and we not see't?
Come, we'll abroad; and let's obay
The Proclamation made for May:
And sin no more, as we have done, by staying;
But my Corinna, come, let's goe a Maying.

There's not a budding Boy, or Girle, this day,
But is got up, and gone to bring in May.
A deale of Youth, ere this, is come
Back, and with White-thorn laden home.
Some have dispatcht their Cakes and Creame,
Before that we have left to dreame:
And some have wept, and woo'd, and plighted Troth,
And chose their Priest, ere we can cast off sloth:
Many a green-gown has been given;
Many a kisse, both odde and even:
Many a glance too has been sent
From out the eye, Loves Firmament:
Many a jest told of the Keyes betraying
This night, and Locks pickt, yet w'are not a Maying.

Come, let us goe, while we are in our prime;
And take the harmlesse follie of the time.
We shall grow old apace, and die
Before we know our liberty.
Our life is short; and our dayes run
As fast away as do's the Sunne:
And as a vapour, or a drop of raine
Once lost, can ne'r be found againe:
So when or you or I are made
A fable, song, or fleeting shade;
All love, all liking, all delight
Lies drown'd with us in endlesse night.
Then while time serves, and we are but decaying;
Come, my Corinna, come, let's goe a Maying.

Quick Facts

Summary of "Corinna's Going a Maying" by Robert Herrick

"Corinna's Going a Maying" is a joyous invitation for the speaker's beloved Corinna to join him in celebrating the May Day festivities. The poem begins with a call to wake up and enjoy the beauty of the morning, as the flowers, birds, and people all embrace the arrival of spring. The speaker emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and urges Corinna to make the most of their youth by participating in the joyous tradition of "going a Maying."

The poem is rich with imagery of nature and communal celebration, depicting a world transformed by the arrival of spring. The speaker's urgency reflects the carpe diem theme, reminding Corinna that life is short, and they should seize the moment while they can. The poem ends with a poignant reminder that all earthly pleasures are temporary, and they should be enjoyed before they fade away.

Critical Analysis of "Corinna's Going a Maying" by Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick's "Corinna's Going a Maying" is a quintessential example of the carpe diem theme, encouraging the reader to embrace the joys of life while they are still young. The poem's vivid descriptions of nature and the festive atmosphere of May Day create a sense of urgency and excitement, urging Corinna to leave her bed and join in the celebration.

Herrick's use of pastoral imagery and the personification of nature add to the poem's charm, while the playful tone reflects the lightheartedness of the occasion. The poem's structure, with its rhythmic lines and repetition of the call to action, reinforces the sense of immediacy and the importance of living in the moment.

Overall, "Corinna's Going a Maying" is a celebration of life, love, and the beauty of the natural world. It is a reminder that time is fleeting, and we should take advantage of every opportunity to experience the pleasures of life.

Themes in "Corinna's Going a Maying" by Robert Herrick

• Festivity: The poem is a celebration of May Day, a time of communal joy and connection with nature.
• Nature: The poem highlights the beauty of the natural world, particularly in spring, and the connection between nature and human life.
• Carpe Diem: The poem emphasizes the importance of seizing the day and enjoying life while we can, as time is fleeting and life is short.

Literary Devices in "Corinna's Going a Maying" by Robert Herrick

• Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, the festivities of May Day, and the urgency of seizing the moment.
• Personification: Nature is personified in the poem, with the morning, flowers, and birds depicted as active participants in the celebration.
• Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds adds to the musical quality of the poem and emphasizes key ideas and emotions.

Stylistic Analysis of "Corinna's Going a Maying" by Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick's style in "Corinna's Going a Maying" is marked by its lively tone and rich imagery. The poem's rhythmic structure and use of repetition create a sense of urgency, reflecting the speaker's desire to seize the day and enjoy the fleeting pleasures of life.