Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

For Queen Mary's Birthday 1691, by Thomas Shadwell, is a poem that celebrates the birthday of Queen Mary II of England. The poem is written in a style typical of the period, in which the speaker praises the queen's beauty and virtue. The speaker also praises the country and its people, expressing his joy that they are able to celebrate such a day. He also expresses his hope that the queen will continue to reign in peace and prosperity. The poem ends with a prayer that God will bless the queen and her people.

The poem is written in an iambic tetrameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCD. The poem is full of imagery and metaphor, as the speaker paints vivid pictures of the queen and her people. The tone is one of admiration and respect, and the speaker is clearly proud to be celebrating such an important day.

The poem makes use of several poetic devices, including alliteration and repetition. The repetition of "welcome" in the first line creates a sense of excitement and anticipation, while the repeated use of "happy" and "bless" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's joy and well-wishes for the queen

The poem is a celebration of the queen and her people, and is a reminder of the importance of loyalty and devotion to the country. It is also a reminder of the importance of celebrating special days and occasions, and of the power of prayer. Through his poem, Shadwell is able to express his admiration of the queen and her people, while also conveying a message of hope and faith.

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