Sunday
Jan012012
The year has two faces
January 1, 2012
January is named for Janus, Rome's two-faced god of gates. The Renaissance poets loved this idea, and often used Janus, who looked backward and forward at once, as an emblem of their own vocations. Here's Edmund Spenser, from his 'Amoretti' sonnet sequence (1595), describing the emergence of a new year from the gate of the old.
New year forth looking out of Janus' gate,
Doth seem to promise hope of new delight:
And bidding th' old Adieu, his passed date
Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish sprite.
And calling forth out of sad Winter's night,
Fresh love, that long hath slept in cheerless bower:
Wills him awake, and soon about him dight
His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.
For lusty spring now in his timely hour,
Is ready to come forth him to receive;
And warns the Earth with diverse colored flower,
To deck herself, and her fair mantle weave.
Then you fair flower, in whom fresh youth doth rain,
Prepare yourself new love to entertain.
4 Comments , Filed under Life and literature
Reader Comments (4)
Modern day limmericists also like this idea, but for different reasons.
There once was a god named Janus...
Hehe, good one Rich. Happy New Year, Francie xx
Ahem...I think you two are lowering the tone of this blog.
But thanks!
You two!
What did I even do? It was Beth who was using your blog for irrelevant chit chat. My comment was on task. Come on!