MICHAEL DRAYTON'S LOVE'S FAREWELL

MICHAEL DRAYTON'S

 "Love's Farewell"

Since there's no help, come let us kiss and part,-

Nay I have done, you get no more of me;

And I am glad, yea, glad with all my heart,

That thus so cleanly I myself can free;

Shake hands for ever, cancel all our vows,

And when we meet at any time again, 

Be it not seen in either of our brows

That we one jot of former love retain.

Now at the last gasp of loves latest breath,

When his pulse failing, passion speeches lies, 

When faith is kneeling by his bed of death,

And innocence is closing up his eyes,

- Now if thou would'st, when all have given him over, 

From death to life thou might'st him yet recover!

Michael Drayton, is born on 1563 at Hartshill, England. He died on 1631 in London. He is an English poet who first write odes in English in the manner of Horace. in his old age he wrote some of his most delightful  poetry, espicially the fairy poem Nymphidia in 1627, with its mock-heroic undertones, and the The Muses Elizium in 1630. One of his best works is the example above the Love's Farewell.  This information is just few about Drayton, but nonetheless, the poem above  is worthy to remember. 

urbis19unom@gmail.com

English Poetry: William Collins

In this article I will give some example of English Poetry. Check out the following. 

WILLIAM COLLINS 

1721-1759

William Collins is regarded as one of the most skilled 18th century lyric poets. Marking a transitional period in English Literature, Collin's style is formally Neoclassical but presages the themes of the Romantic  period. His treatment of individual experience and descriptions of emotion influenced his peers as well as the next generations of writers.Collins was born in Chichester,England where his father served as mayor. He enrolled in Winchester College at age 11 and began publishing poems later earning a BA in art under scholarship at Magdalen College, Oxford. His 1742 Publication, Persian Eclogues, was warmly recieved by both readers and critics, and he followed his success with Verses Humbly Address'd to Sir Thomas Hanmer in 1743. Another masterpiece of Collins is the Fidele. 

William Collins

"Fidele"

To fair Fidele's grassy tomb

Soft maids and village hinds shall bring

Each opening sweet of earliest bloom,

And rifle all the breathing Spring. 

No wailing ghost shall dare appear 

To vex with shrieks this quite grove;

But shepherd lads assemble here,

And melting virgins own their love.

No wither'd witch shall here be seen,

No goblins lead their nightly crew;

The female fays shall haunt the green,

And dress thy grave with pearly dew.

The redbreast oft at evening hours 

Shall kindly lend his little aid,

With hoary moss, and gather'd flowers, 

To deck the ground where thou art laid.

When howling winds, and beating rain,

In tempest shake thy sylvan cell;

Or 'midst the chase, on every plain,

The tender thought on thee shall dwell; 

Each lonely scene shall thee restore,

For thee the tear be duly shed;

Beloved, till life can charm no more;

And mourn'd, till Pity's self be dead.  

Collins moved to London to write, forfeiting his scholarship, but was forced to leave the city after his extravagant lifestyle created an important debt.


urbis19unom@gmail.com

Ancient Egyptian Literature

Ancient Egyptian Literature

Ancient Egyptian literature is characterized by a wide diversity of types and subject matter; it dates from the Old Kingdom (c. 2755-2255 BC) into the Greco-Roman period (after 332 BC). Such literary devices as simile, metaphor, alliteration , and punning are found.

                              Range of Literary Forms

The religious literature of ancient Egypt includes hymns to the gods, mythological and magical texts, and an extensive collection of mortuary texts. The range of secular literature includes stories; instructive literature, known as wisdom texts, poems, biographical and historical texts; and scientific treatises, including mathematical and medical texts. Notable also are the many legal, administrative, and economic texts and private documents such as letters, although not actually literature. The individual authors of several compositions dating from the Old Kingdom and the Middle Kingdom (2134- 1668 BC) were revered in later periods. They came from the educated class of upper-level government officials, and their audience was largely educated people like themselves. Indeed, many literary compositions of the Middle Kingdom were composed as political propaganda, to teach students who learned to read and write by copying them (on tablets and ostraca) to be loyal to the ruling dynasty. Many of these same wisdom texts were still copied by New Kingdom (1570-1070 BC) schoolchildren more than 500 years later, along with more contemporary texts designed to undermine the glamor of the new military profession. Some of the stories include elements of mythology and may owe much to an oral storytelling tradition.

Among with the oldest book in Egypt is the Book of the Dead. It is best known from texts and citations placed in mummy cases as advice or protection to the spirit of the man and women who was awaiting judgement. One of the most famous examples is the Egyptian Final Judgement of Ani, a scribe who was just died.

References:

http://www.mysteries-in-stone.co.uk/ancient.htm

The outline of knowledge as edited by James A. Richards

Published by J.A Richards, Inc. New York

ubis19unom@gmail.com

VEDIC LITERATURE IN INDIA

 VEDIC LITERATURE

Among the books of the distant ages past was the Vedic literature of India, which ranges from about 2000 BC to 700 BC It has been transmitted to the western world but recently and, indeed, is by no means yet thoroughly understood. The importance of these books and of the other literary treasures of the ancient oriental nations can scarcely be overestimated. 

The Vedas

The  Rg-Veda ,  Samveda  and  Yajurveda  are collectively known as  Vedatrayi.   Atharva Veda is considered a later addition. Bharatamuni's  Natyasastra  is considered to be the  Panchama Veda  (fifth Veda). The  Rg-Veda  is the oldest among all the Vedas. It must have been compiled over several centuries. Some of the earliest hymns are said to have been composed around 1500 BC. These were passed on from teacher to disciple, orally. The different parts (mandalas) are ascribed to different families of seers' eg Gautama and Kanva etc. It is the foundation of all the Vedic literature.

The  Rg-Veda  is neither a historical nor a heroic poem but is mainly a collection of hymns by a number of priestly families. The hymns addressed to various Gods such as Agni, Indra etc are recited at the time of sacrificial rites and other rituals. The  Rg-Veda  contains 1,028 hymns (Sukta) which are divided into ten mandalas and sometimes into astakas. Mandalas 2 to 7 are considered to be the earliest of all compositions.

The tenth mandala is said to have been added later as its language differs slightly from the other nine mandalas. It contains the famous Purushasukta that explains that the four varnas (Castes)  (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra)  were born from the mouth, arms, belly and the legs of the Creator. The universally famous  Gayatri mantra (Savitri)  is in  Rg-Veda . There are five divisions of Rg Veda, namely,  Sakala, Baskala,  Asvalayana, Sankhayana and Mandukya . The total in Rg-Veda mantras are 10,600.

The  Samaveda  derived from the root  saman  ie 'melody', is a 'collection of melodies.   Samaveda  consists of 1603 (excepting 75) verses that have been borrowed for the  Rg-Veda.   These were meant to be sung at the time of Soma  sacrifice . The Jha  Samaveda  is important in tracing the history of Indian music.

The  Yajurveda  is the book of the  Adhvaryu  priests. The  Yajurveda  prescribes the procedures to be adopted at the time of performing the same sacrifices. There are two main texts of the  Yajurveda: Shukla Yajurveda or Vajasaneyi (Madhyandin and Kanva)  and  Krishna-Yajurveda (Taittiriya, Kathaka, Maitrayani and Kapisthal)  . It is a short collection of magic spells used by a certain class of priests at the time of sacrifices. Patanjali, the grammarian, refers to 101 schools of  the Yajurveda.

The  Atharaveda  is entirely different from the other three Vedas is content and style. It is the latest of the four. However, it is equally important and interesting as it describes the popular beliefs and superstitions of the humble folk. For a very long time it was not included into the category of the Veda. It is divided into 20 711 kandas and has a collection of hymns and mantras 5987 - most of these hymns are used to ward off the evil spirits. The Atharvaveda has two different divisions -  Paippalada and Saunakiya . Vedas Each has its own  Samhita  and commentary.

The Brahmanas

The  Brahmanas  explain the hymns of the Vedas. They are written in prose and they elaborately describe the various sacrifices and rituals, along with their mystic meanings. Each Veda has several  Brahmanas . The two Brahmanas  attached to the Rg-Veda are  Aitareya Brahmana  and  Kausitaki Brahmana . These were composed by  Hotri -priests or invoker (the priest who recites mantras of the Rg-Veda and the sacrifices). The  Shukla  Yajurveda  is appended with  Satapatha Brahmana  which recommends 'one hundred sacred paths'  (Satapatha).   It is the most exhaustive and important of all the Brahmanas. The  Gopatha Brahmana  is appended to the Atharvaveda. These Brahmanas, in fact, is the elaborate commentaries on the various hymns is  Samhitas.

The Aranyaka

The word Aranyaka means' forest 'and these are called "forest books' written mainly for the hermits and students living in the jungles. These are the concluding portions of the  Brahmanas  or their appendices. A strict code of secrecy was maintained over the  Aranyakas  as it was believed that the contents would spell danger if taught to the uninitiated. And hence they were to be studied in the forest. They deal with mysticism and symbolism. They form the natural transition of the  Upanishads.   They offer a bridge between  Karma Marga  (way of deeds) which was the sole concern of the  Brahmanas  and the  Jnana Marga  (way of knowledge) which the  Upanishads advocated.

The Upanishads

The word  Upanishad  has been derived from the root  Upani sad  that means 'to sit down near someone'. It denotes a student sitting under the feet of his guru to learn. Eventually the word began to be used for the secret knowledge imparted by the guru to his pupils selected. Today the word began to be used for the secret knowledge imparted by the guru to his pupils selected. Today the word is associated with philosophical knowledge and spiritual learning.   Upanishads  are also called  Vedanta  (the end of the Veda) firstly, because they denoted the last phase of the Vedic period and secondly, because they reveal the final aim of the Veda. Our nation's motto Satyameva Jayate  is taken from the  Mundakopanishad. 

Smritis

Smritis  treatises are auxiliaries of the Vedas and are the law books of Indian society. Literally  'Smrti'  means 'to remember' and these are regarded, as a part of the revelation, though not included in the Vedic literature proper.

Vedangas

There are six  Vedangas  (limbs of the Vedas). They are:  Siksha, Kalpa, vyakarana, niruktas, chhandas  and  jyotisa.   Siksha  deals with pronunciation,  Kalpa  with rituals,  Vyakarana  with grammar,  Nirukta  with etymology,  Chhanda with meter and  Jyotiṣa  with astrosciences.

Darshana

Similarly, there are six schools of Indian philosophy known as Shad-Darshana.  These are: Nyaya, Vaishesika, Sankhya, Yoga, Purva and Uttara Mimansas.  These are written in Sutra (aphorism) style, which are short, to the point and without doubts.  They all propagate the virtues of life.  The Nyaya Darshana was written by Gautama, Vaishesika Darshana by Kanada, Purvamimansa Darshana by Jaimini, Sankhya by Kapila, Yoga by Patanjali and the Uttaramimansa Darshana by Bhadarayana.

Upavedas

Both the Vedangas and the Darshanas claim to have derived inspiration from the Vedas the explain the Vedic Philosophy.  Still they are not included in the umbrella of core Vedic literature.  In the same manner, four Upavedasnamely Dhanurveda (deals with the art of warfare), the Gandharvaveda (deals with the music), Silpaveda (deals with are and architecture) and Ayurveda (deals with medicine) also do not form part of the Vedic literature though they enjoy great sanctity.

The Vedic texts have been nourished, simplified and continued from one generation to the next through the Sruti parampara by the great saint scholars and sages, to name a few Sri Sankaracarya, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Madhvacharya and Ramanuja.

This Vedic Literature is important because they are written in a connected prose being probably the first prose of the world, because they are an inexhaustible mine for the history of the priesthood and because they are a storehouse of the myths and stories India has cherished from the beginning of time.

References:

Kumar Sanjay Jha @ http://ignca.nic.in/sjha0002.htm

The outline of Knowledge as edited by James A. Richards printed by J.A Richards, Inc. New York

urbis19unom@gmail.com