Impromptu on Mrs Riddell's Birthday
written in 1793
Impromptu on Mrs Riddell's Birthday - meaning Summary
Birthday as Seasonal Cure
This light, playful poem imagines Old Winter appealing to Jove for relief from his gloom by being granted the joy of Mrs Riddell’s birthday. The speaker treats the birthday as a singular, season-transforming gift that can outshine spring, summer, and autumn. The mood shifts from self-pitying winter to triumphant delight when Jove grants the request. Overall the poem celebrates one person’s natal day as a transformative, life-affirming event and uses allegory to flatter and elevate the addressee’s importance in a humorous, upbeat way.
Read Complete AnalysesOld Winter, with his frosty beard, Thus once to Jove his prayer preferred. What have I done of all the year, To bear this hated doom severe? My cheerless suns no pleasure know; Night's horrid car drags, dreary, slow; My dismal months no joys are crowning, But spleeny English, hanging, drowning. Now, Jove, for once be mighty civil; To counter balance all this evil; Give me, and I've no more to say, Give me Maria's natal day! That brilliant gift will so enrich me, Spring, Summer, Autumn, cannot match me. 'Tis done!!! says Jove: so ends my story, And Winter once rejoiced in glory.
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