Sonnet 143: Lo, as a Careful Huswife Runs to Catch
Sonnet 143: Lo, as a Careful Huswife Runs to Catch - meaning Summary
Neglected Child, Chasing Desire
The speaker likens the beloved to a busy mother who chases a runaway bird, leaving her infant neglected. That neglected child is the speaker, who pleads for attention while the beloved pursues an elusive desire. The poem asks that if the beloved attains what she seeks, she should return and care for the speaker — kiss, be kind, and answer the speaker’s cries. It frames love as pursuit, neglect, and a conditional plea for reciprocity.
Read Complete AnalysesLo, as a careful huswife runs to catch One of her feathered creatures broke away, Sets down her babe and makes all swift dispatch In pursuit of the thing she would have stay, Whilst her neglected child holds her in chase, Cries to catch her whose busy care is bent To follow that which flies before her face, Not prizing her poor infant’s discontent: So runn’st thou after that which flies from thee, Whilst I, thy babe, chase thee afar behind; But if thou catch thy hope turn back to me, And play the mother’s part: kiss me, be kind. So will I pray that thou mayst have thy Will, If thou turn back and my loud crying still.
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