The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd Group

Question:

janna1990
janna1990
Student
High School - 12th Grade

In "The Nymphs Reply to the Shepherd", why did the poet choose to write "rage" instead "rush"?

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Posted by janna1990 on Wednesday October 29, 2008 at 9:32 PM and tagged with connotations, the nymph's reply to the shepherd, word choice.

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  1. ms-mcgregor Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The Nymph is concerned with growing old in its reply to the shepherd. The rivers rush in the spring because the snow from winter is melting. Spring implies rebirth. However, rivers rage because of storms and storm run-off during the fall and winter. Fall and winter imply growing older and dying. As the nymph points out:



    " But could youth last and love still breed,

    Had joys no date, nor age no need

    then these delights my mind might move

    To live with thee and be thy love."



    In other words, if she could say young, she might agree to the shepherd's request. but the storms of life will eventually age her and she will no longer be as interested in or interesting to the shepherd.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/nymphs-reply
    http://www.enotes.com/nymphs-reply/text-poem

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    Posted by ms-mcgregor on Thursday October 30, 2008 at 9:04 AM