Andrew Marvell: Poems
What is the dramatic situation, the scene unfolding in the poem?
About the story of Nymph Complaining for the death of her Fawn
About the story of Nymph Complaining for the death of her Fawn
The speaker of the poem is a nymph lamenting the death of her fawn. The poem begins with the nymph crying out that a band of “wanton troopers” have shot her fawn “and it will die.” She notes that the fawn never did these men any harm, nor did the nymph ever wish the men any ill. The nymph invokes Heaven and asks that her “simple prayers” might implore Heaven to forgive the murder. She goes on to claim, however, that Heaven always keeps an account of men’s actions, and “Ev’n beasts must be with justice slain,” otherwise they shall become victims of divine retribution.