The Argument of His Book

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1648

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Summary

Background

Poem Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Form and Meter

Herrick’s poem is comprised of a single stanza of 14 lines of rhyming couplets, which is a sonnet structure. Except for the first, third and fourth lines, which are slightly longer, all of the lines are relatively the same length. Although the line lengths may slightly vary, they are all written (except for the last line) in iambic pentameter, meaning that they each contain five units, or poetic feet, of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This pattern is easily illustrated and evident in the first two lines: “I sing of brooks, of blossoms, birds and bowers, / Of April, May, of June and July flowers” (Lines 1-2). The repeated pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables carries through the first 13 lines. This sing-song, “bouncy” rhythm creates an upbeat energy as readers progress through the lines and subjects with positive, bright, rich, and mythical connotations. As “The Argument of His Book” is placed at the beginning of Hesperides and is intended to prepare the reader for what they will encounter in the text, the hope would be for this energy to encourage the reader to continue reading and pervade through the rest of the reading experience.

The only line in the sonnet which seems to fall out of this pattern of iambic pentameter is the final, 14th line: “Of Heaven, and hope to have it after all.” After the initial iamb (or unit of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable), there is an anapest, or a unit of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable (-en, and hope). Following this anapest are two iambs. The alteration in metrical pattern that occurs in the final line helps to bring readers’ attention to the conclusion or to refocus readers on the speaker’s hope of Heaven.

Rhyme scheme is also part of the form and structure of a poem. Herrick’s text features rhyming couplets, meaning that each pair of lines rhymes with one another. For example, Lines 3 and 4 rhyme “wakes” with “cakes.” Lines 9 and 10 rhyme “write” with “white.” These rhyming pairs help propel the poem forward, and likewise aid in energy and momentum for the reader as they make their way through the lines.

Anaphora

According to Poetry Foundation, anaphora is “the repetition of a word or words at the beginning of successive phrases, clauses, or lines to create a sonic effect” (“Anaphora.” Poetry Foundation). “The Argument of His Book” features the repetition of “I sing” and “I write” throughout its lines. “I sing” more often occurs in the first half of the poem, while “I write” only enters in Line 9. This repetition puts emphasis on the speaker and their actions—on their productivity and creativity. By placing “I sing” and “I write” before each subject list or item, the speaker draws attention to their industriousness and places themself as the primary focus of the text.

Enjambment

Enjambment occurs when a line does not end with a full stop, meaning it does not end with any form of end punctuation and continues into a subsequent line or lines. For example, the first line ends with a comma, while the second line ends with a period; these are both considered to be hard or full stops. However, some of the lines do not end with any form of punctuation, but rather simply blend from one line into the next. Lines 5-6 offer one such example: “I write of youth, of love, and have access / By these to sing of cleanly wantonness.” Enjambment occurs again between Lines 7 and 8, Lines 9 and 10, Lines 11 and 12, and Lines 13 and 14, while the first four lines are absent of enjambment. Enjambment assists with the momentum of the poem. The reader is urged forward from line to line to the poem’s conclusion.