Edmund Waller was a seventeenth-century English poet, known for his smooth, elegant verse and his political career. He was born in 1606, the son of Robert Waller, a wealthy merchant, and his wife Anne. Waller was educated at Eton and Cambridge, and was admitted to the Inner Temple in 1623, where he studied law. However, he was more interested in literature and poetry, and quickly gained a reputation as a talented writer.
Waller's early poetry was marked by its polished, artificial style, which was in keeping with the fashion of the time. He wrote a number of poems in the "Pindaric" style, which was characterized by its elaborate, ornate structure and its focus on praise and celebration. In these poems, Waller celebrated the virtues of his patron, the Earl of Pembroke, and praised the accomplishments of the English monarchy.
One of Waller's most famous poems is "Of the Last Verses in the Book," which reflects on the fleeting nature of fame and the importance of making the most of one's time. The poem begins with the lines:
"I am not yet so old, but that I still Can sing, and write, and love, and keep my hill; And though my wing be fledged, and though my nest Be empty, I can flutter, and be blest In hope, and keep my feathers trim and fair For a new flight."
These lines capture Waller's belief in the enduring power of literature and the importance of striving for excellence. The poem goes on to reflect on the fleeting nature of fame, and encourages the reader to make the most of their time and to focus on the things that truly matter.
In addition to his poetry, Waller was also a politician, serving as a member of Parliament for a number of years. He was known for his support of the monarchy and his opposition to the Puritans, and he played a key role in the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. Despite his political success, Waller remained primarily known as a poet, and his works continue to be read and admired to this day.
In conclusion, Edmund Waller was a seventeenth-century English poet known for his polished, artificial verse and his political career. His poems, which celebrated the virtues of his patron and praised the English monarchy, remain popular and enduring works of literature.
