4 Poems by Edmund Waller

Edmund Waller, a pivotal figure in English poetry during the tumultuous 17th century, was born in 1606 to a wealthy family in Coleshill, Buckinghamshire. His life and work spanned a period of immense political and cultural upheaval, including the English Civil War, the Interregnum, and the Restoration, all of which profoundly influenced his poetry and career.

Waller's privileged background afforded him an excellent education at Eton and King's College, Cambridge, though he left university without taking a degree. His early entry into political life came at the young age of 16 when he was elected to Parliament for Amersham in 1621. This precocious start in politics foreshadowed a lifelong engagement with the corridors of power, which would both elevate and imperil him throughout his career.

As a poet, Waller made his mark early with "Go, Lovely Rose," a lyric that exemplifies the elegant simplicity and polish that would become his hallmark. His verse, characterized by its smoothness, clarity, and wit, marked a significant departure from the metaphysical complexities of poets like John Donne. Waller's style, with its emphasis on balance and harmony, anticipated the Augustan age and influenced later poets such as John Dryden and Alexander Pope.

Waller's romantic pursuits became the stuff of literary legend, particularly his unrequited love for Lady Dorothy Sidney, whom he immortalized in his poetry under the name "Sacharissa." His courtship of Sidney, though unsuccessful, produced some of his most memorable verses, blending personal emotion with the formal conventions of courtly love poetry.

The poet's political life was as eventful as his literary one. Initially a supporter of Parliament, Waller became entangled in a Royalist plot known as "Waller's Plot" in 1643, which aimed to seize London for King Charles I. The conspiracy was discovered, and Waller narrowly escaped execution through a combination of his oratorical skills, family connections, and a substantial bribe. He was instead fined and exiled to France, where he remained for nearly a decade.

During his exile, Waller continued to write and refine his poetic style. He also maintained connections with other exiled Royalists, including future King Charles II. This period of reflection and literary production away from the turmoil of English politics allowed Waller to develop his craft further and to absorb continental influences.

Upon his return to England in 1651, during the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, Waller demonstrated his political adaptability by writing "A Panegyric to My Lord Protector," praising Cromwell. This ability to navigate changing political tides would serve him well after the Restoration in 1660, when he penned "To the King, Upon His Majesty's Happy Return," celebrating the monarchy's reinstatement.

Waller's talent for political survival was matched by his poetic innovation. He is credited with perfecting the closed heroic couplet, a form that would dominate English poetry for generations. His mastery of this form, with its balanced structure and rhyming pairs, exemplified the neoclassical ideals of order and reason that were gaining prominence in English literature.

The latter part of Waller's life saw him regain his seat in Parliament and continue his literary output. His poem "Instructions to a Painter," written in the wake of a naval victory over the Dutch in 1665, showcases his ability to blend patriotic sentiment with poetic skill. The work also demonstrates Waller's ongoing engagement with contemporary events, a hallmark of his poetry throughout his career.

Waller's influence extended beyond his own time. His emphasis on polished diction and metrical regularity helped pave the way for the Augustan age of English literature. Poets like Dryden acknowledged their debt to Waller, praising him for "the sweetness of his numbers" and his role in refining English verse.

In his personal life, Waller was twice married and fathered numerous children. His first marriage to Anne Banks ended with her death in 1634, and he later married Mary Bracey in 1644. These relationships, along with his unrequited love for Dorothy Sidney, provided rich material for his love poetry, which ranges from the playfully witty to the deeply emotional.

As Waller aged, his poetry took on a more reflective tone. Works like "Of the Last Verses in the Book" and "Old Age and Death" reveal a poet grappling with mortality and the passage of time. These later poems, while maintaining Waller's characteristic smoothness, add a depth of feeling and philosophical contemplation to his oeuvre.

Edmund Waller died in 1687, leaving behind a body of work that, while sometimes overshadowed by contemporaries like John Milton, played a crucial role in shaping the course of English poetry. His life, spanning most of the 17th century, serves as a fascinating lens through which to view the literary, political, and social changes of his era. Waller's ability to adapt his poetry and politics to the shifting tides of his time, while maintaining a consistent commitment to poetic craft, ensures his place as a significant figure in the annals of English literature.