If after rude and boisterous seas
My wearied pinnace here finds ease;
If so it be I've gain'd the shore,
With safety of a faithful oar;
If having run my barque on ground,
Ye see the aged vessel crown'd;
What's to be done? but on the sands
Ye dance and sing, and now clap hands.
—The first act's doubtful, but (we say)
It is the last commends the Play.
I am busy working to bring Robert Herrick's "The Plaudite, or End of Life" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Robert Herrick's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "The Plaudite, or End of Life" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.