"His Coy Mistress to Mr Marvell" by A.D. Hope (poetry reading)

This is a reply to Andrew Marvell's "To His Coy Mistress". It won't mean much unless you know that poem.

A.D. Hope is about 90 in the photograph.
The painting is "Shepherd Scene" by Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640), who was 44 years older than Andrew Marvell. It isn't connected with the poem and is just provided for atmosphere.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Coy
• Mistress
• Andrew
• Marvell
• Time's
• Winged
• Chariot
• A..D.
• Hope
• comic
• poem

[janaltus]

Many thanks. I thoroughly enjoyed this and listened several times. There are some minor discrepancies between the audio version and the words that appear on the screen; which is the definitive version?

[SpokenVerse]

It's more likely to be my reading that's imprecise. I expect you can find a more reliable version on the web. If you read the comments on my channel page and those attached to "Autumn Song" by W H Auden, recently posted, I delve into reasons why.

[doctorpsycho1960]

I had no idea this existed. I am utterly delighted.

First, because it is good poetry.

Second, because while it starts by scolding Marvell for his rudeness and arrogance, it also criticizes women who do in fact descend to "coyness", which is really what Marvell was on about: the ones who say neither yes nor no, but dance around the point wasting both parties' time.

I also like the way she answers his "quaint" wordplay with her own "snatch" of verse. :-)

[SpokenVerse]

However, to be fair to Andy, some of the words he used might have changed their meaning with time. "Coyness" might have been a desirable attribute in those days and associated with honour and virginity - or what Milton called, "Sweet. reluctant amorous delay"

[Keylimeepiee]

IM his great great (couple more) Grandaughter.

[SpokenVerse]

Then you must mean Andrew Marvell rather than A.D. Hope. I hope you have inherited some of his talent.

[thetanzi]

I've listened to this again and again! I enjoy your reading so much. I especially love how you've infused a note of humour into the phrase "how quickly she is growing old!" It's delicately done and adds so much depth to the line.

Thanks so much.

[SuperNongrata]

great thing, i really enjoyed. thanks so much for posting

[king7wood]

Very very well done!

[amorymorton]

absolutely brilliant!

Makes me which Marvell was around to enjoy it.

Thanks for posting.