Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Short Wooing" is a poem by Henry King, an English poet who lived in the 17th century. The poem tells the story of a brief courtship between a man and a woman, culminating in their marriage. The poem reflects on the transience of love and the importance of making the most of the time we have.

The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a regular iambic pentameter meter. This gives the poem a sense of formal structure and symmetry. The language is simple and direct, with a focus on clarity and precision.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his lover, urging her to accept his proposal of marriage. He describes his love for her as true and genuine, and declares that he is ready to devote his life to her. The lover responds positively, accepting the proposal and expressing her own love for the speaker.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the nature of love and the passage of time. The speaker acknowledges that love is fleeting and that life is short. He urges his lover to make the most of their time together and to enjoy the pleasures of love while they can.

In the final stanza, the poem returns to the theme of marriage, with the speaker declaring that he and his lover are now one. He expresses his hope that their love will last beyond their years on earth, and that they will be reunited in heaven.

Overall, "The Short Wooing" is a simple but beautiful poem that reflects on the nature of love and the importance of cherishing the time we have with those we love. Its message is timeless and universal, and it continues to resonate with readers today.