The cõforte of louers / The Comfort of Lovers

Name: The cõforte of louers / The Comfort of Lovers
Author: Stephen Hawes

By Stephen Hawes

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About This Book

A first-person narrator, troubled by unrequited love, composes a long allegorical poem that blends dream vision and moral counsel. The speaker invokes sacred and classical examples, reflects on nature and social roles, and describes a visit to a fragrant garden where an older, wise woman offers consolation and practical advice about patience, prudence, and honor. The poem shifts between lyrical description, personal lament, and didactic digression, exploring courtly behavior, the trials of love, and the duties of gentility, and closes with exhortations to temper desire with wisdom and hope.

About the Author

Stephen Hawes

Stephen Hawes was a 15th-century English poet known for his allegorical works that reflect the moral and social concerns of his time. His notable poem, "The Pastime of Pleasure," explores themes of love and virtue through a rich tapestry of allegory and moral instruction. Hawes also contributed to the literary landscape with works such as "A Joyful Meditation of the Coronation of King Henry the Eighth" and "The Conversion of Swearers," which showcase his engagement with contemporary events and societal issues. His poetry is characterized by its intricate language and a blend of entertainment and didacticism, making him a significant figure in early English literature.