Go, Lovely Rose, Edmund Waller: Summary, Analysis & Themes

"Go, Lovely Rose" by Edmund Waller is a classic example of 17th-century lyric poetry, blending themes of love, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life. In this poem, Waller uses the rose as an emblematic symbol to convey his message to a young, reserved woman. His poetic appeal emphasizes the transience of beauty and the importance of cherishing it while it lasts. Known for his eloquent style and refined expression, Waller’s poetry often reflects the elegance and wit of the Cavalier tradition, making this poem one of his most celebrated works.

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Go, Lovely Rose

Go, lovely rose!
Tell her that wastes her time and me,
That now she knows,
When I resemble her to thee,
How sweet and fair she seems to be.

Tell her that’s young,
And shuns to have her graces spied,
That hadst thou sprung
In deserts, where no men abide,
Thou must have uncommended died.

Small is the worth
Of beauty from the light retired;
Bid her come forth,
Suffer herself to be desired,
And not blush so to be admired.

Then die! that she
The common fate of all things rare
May read in thee;
How small a part of time they share
That are so wondrous sweet and fair!

Audio Poem Song

ericwhitacre · Go, Lovely Rose (Three Flower Songs)

Summary of “Go, Lovely Rose”

In "Go, Lovely Rose," the speaker sends a rose as a messenger to a young woman, urging her to embrace her beauty and allow it to be admired. The speaker compares the woman’s beauty to the rose’s delicate charm, emphasizing her sweetness and fairness. He laments her modesty and seclusion, suggesting that beauty hidden from the world is of little value. Using the rose as a metaphor, he encourages the woman to step into the light and be appreciated before time diminishes her charm. The poem concludes with the rose’s symbolic death, serving as a reminder of life’s brevity and the fleeting nature of beauty.

1. Sending the rose: The speaker personifies the rose, sending it as a messenger to convey his admiration and appeal.
2. Comparison to beauty: The rose is used to symbolize the woman’s sweetness and fairness, which the speaker wishes her to recognize.
3. Call to embrace admiration: The speaker urges the woman to allow herself to be desired and admired, rejecting her modesty.
4. Reflection on transience: The poem concludes with the rose’s death, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of beauty and life.

Analysis of “Go, Lovely Rose”

Waller’s "Go, Lovely Rose" is a masterful exploration of beauty’s ephemerality and the need to cherish it while it lasts. The rose serves as an extended metaphor, symbolizing both the woman’s beauty and the fleeting nature of life. The speaker’s tone is persuasive yet tinged with urgency, as he implores the woman to overcome her modesty and embrace admiration. Waller’s use of vivid imagery and personification enriches the poem, making the rose a poignant intermediary between the speaker and the woman. The structure of the poem, with its short stanzas and concise lines, mirrors the transience it seeks to highlight.

The interplay between light and seclusion in the poem underscores its central message: beauty hidden from view is ultimately wasted. The speaker critiques the woman’s retreat from admiration, arguing that her beauty, like the rose’s, is meant to be appreciated. The final stanza, where the rose is instructed to die, shifts the tone to one of inevitability and reflection. The rose’s death becomes a metaphor for the brevity of life and the transient nature of all that is rare and beautiful, reinforcing the speaker’s call to action.

1. Extended metaphor: The rose symbolizes the woman’s beauty and the fleeting nature of life.
2. Critique of modesty: The speaker challenges the woman’s reluctance to embrace admiration, framing it as a waste of her charm.
3. Reflection on mortality: The rose’s death serves as a reminder of life’s brevity and the impermanence of beauty.

Themes in “Go, Lovely Rose”

The poem explores themes such as the fleeting nature of beauty, the importance of embracing life, and the critique of modesty. Waller highlights the impermanence of beauty through the rose’s symbolic journey and eventual demise. The theme of living fully is emphasized through the speaker’s plea for the woman to allow herself to be admired. Modesty, while often seen as virtuous, is portrayed here as a hindrance to appreciating and celebrating one’s gifts. These themes are interwoven with the poem’s lyrical beauty and philosophical undertones, offering a timeless meditation on life and love.

1. The transience of beauty: The rose symbolizes the fleeting nature of physical charm and the need to appreciate it before it fades.
2. The call to embrace life: The speaker urges the woman to step into the light and allow herself to be admired.
3. Critique of modesty: The poem questions the value of modesty when it prevents the celebration of one’s unique beauty.

Structure of “Go, Lovely Rose”

The poem is composed of four quatrains, each contributing to the overarching message of fleeting beauty and the importance of embracing life. The rhyme scheme follows an ABAB pattern, creating a harmonious and lyrical flow that mirrors the delicate subject of beauty. The use of iambic tetrameter gives the poem a measured rhythm, balancing the urgency of the speaker’s plea with the gracefulness of the rose’s symbolic journey. Each stanza builds upon the previous one, leading to the final reflective conclusion about the impermanence of all rare things.

1. Quatrain structure: The poem consists of four quatrains, each with a clear ABAB rhyme scheme.
2. Meter: The consistent use of iambic tetrameter creates a rhythmic and flowing quality.
3. Symbolic progression: Each stanza builds on the metaphor of the rose, culminating in its symbolic demise.