What figure of speech has been used in the line ‘You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun’?

What figure of speech has been used in the line ‘You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun’?

Robert Herrick’s (1591 – 1674) “To Daffodils” (1648) is a beautiful poem about the short life of daffodils and how it reflects human life. The poet expresses sadness over the fleeting beauty of the flowers. In the line “You haste away so soon; As yet the early-rising sun,” Herrick uses personification to make the daffodils seem alive. This figure of speech adds depth to the poem by giving human qualities to the flowers.

Personification: The poet personifies the daffodils by suggesting they “haste away,” as if they are in a hurry to leave. Flowers cannot move or hurry, but Herrick imagines them as if they are alive. This makes the daffodils feel more human and relatable. The use of “you” directly addresses the daffodils like people. It gives them a personal connection with the reader.

The mention of the “early-rising sun” further enhances the imagery. The poet compares the short life of the flowers to a day that has barely begun. The daffodils are leaving too quickly, even before the sun reaches its peak. This creates a feeling of sadness and regret. It shows how beauty and life fade before their time.

Through personification, the poet connects the daffodils to human life. Just as the flowers fade away quickly, human life is also brief. The poet uses this to remind readers to cherish life’s moments.

By using personification, Herrick makes the daffodils seem alive and full of emotion. This helps the reader understand the fleeting nature of life. The line captures the sadness of impermanence in both nature and human existence. It makes the poem more meaningful and memorable.