Chloe
'Bid me not stay!
Hear reason, pray!
'Tis striking six! Sure never day
Was short as this is!'
The Annotated Edition
Chloe by James Russell Lowell
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A speaker begs someone to let them go, glancing at the clock as it strikes six, a sign that the day has passed in a blur.
- Core theme
- Beauty
Study actions
§01Quick summary
What this poem is about
A speaker begs someone to let them go, glancing at the clock as it strikes six, a sign that the day has passed in a blur. It's a lighthearted moment — someone struggling to break free from a person or place they clearly want to stay with. The humor lies in the fact that time seems to fly only because they've been so joyfully engaged.
§02Themes
Recurring themes
§03Line by line
Stanza by stanza, with notes
'Bid me not stay! / Hear reason, pray!
Editor's note
The speaker jumps in mid-conversation, clearly resisting someone who wants them to stay longer. The exclamations add a sense of urgency and humor—this is someone who realizes they *should* leave but secretly wishes they wouldn't have to. By using "pray" (short for "I pray thee") to address the listener, they politely yet firmly urge: *come on, be reasonable, let me go*.
§04Tone & mood
How this poem feels
Light, teasing, and affectionate. Lowell keeps everything breezy — there's no real distress here, just the playful urgency of someone who's lingered too long in a delightful place and is now pretending they need to leave. The poem's brevity reflects its subject: time that slips away before you even realize it.
§05Symbols & metaphors
Symbols & metaphors
- The clock striking six
- The chiming clock stands out as the only concrete detail in the poem — a clear marker of time that the speaker uses as a reason to leave. Yet, it subtly indicates just how engaged they've been: the arrival of six o'clock caught them off guard, which reflects how enjoyable the company was.
- The short day
- The speaker's remark that no day was ever so short serves as a backhanded compliment to Chloe. Days seem short only when we're happy. This idea is reflected in the poem's brevity—it wraps up almost before it even starts.
- Chloe (the addressee)
- Chloe is a classic pastoral name that has appeared in English poetry since the Renaissance, often representing a delightful, idealized companion. By choosing this name, Lowell connects the brief scene to a rich tradition of light-hearted love poetry, suggesting that the poem has a playful tone rather than a serious one.
§06Historical context
Historical context
James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) was a leading American poet in the nineteenth century, part of the New England literary circle that included figures like Longfellow, Holmes, and Whittier. He was also a critic, editor for *The Atlantic Monthly*, and later served as a diplomat. His poetry often reflects a serious engagement with political issues—he wrote passionately against slavery—but he also excelled in light, witty occasional verse. "Chloe" falls into that lighter category. The name Chloe is steeped in pastoral history: it appears in ancient Greek poetry, in works by Sidney and Marvell, and in numerous Restoration and eighteenth-century lyrics. By using this name, Lowell indicates that he's participating in a familiar tradition of charming yet trivial love poetry rather than aiming to make a significant statement.
§07FAQ
Questions readers ask
What is the poem actually about?
A speaker is attempting to leave—likely after meeting someone named Chloe—and is citing the clock striking six as their excuse to go. The humor lies in their exaggerated protests, making it obvious that they actually don't want to leave at all.
Who is Chloe?
We don't meet her face-to-face in the poem; she's the one being spoken to. "Chloe" has been a traditional pastoral name in English love poetry for centuries, suggesting that Lowell intends this to be a light and playful piece, not a serious one.
Why is the poem so short?
The brevity is essential to the humor. The poem captures a day that seemed to fly by, and it disappears just as swiftly. This formal device underscores the theme effectively.
What does 'Bid me not stay' mean?
"Bid" here means ask or command. The speaker is saying: "Don't ask me to stay" — but the fact that they're explaining themselves shows they might actually want to be convinced.
What does 'pray' mean in this context?
It's a short version of "I pray thee," which is an old-fashioned way to say please or I beg you. It sounds polite but has a hint of drama, adding to the playful tone.
What is the rhyme scheme?
The four lines follow an AAAB rhyme scheme — "stay," "pray," and "day" all rhyme, making "this is" the odd one out. That last off-rhyme creates a breathless, tumbling finish, as if the speaker is rushing out the door mid-sentence.
Is this a love poem?
In a loose sense, yes. It conveys the feeling of not wanting to part ways with someone, which shows affection. However, it's so brief and humorous that labeling it a love poem seems a bit too serious—it's more like a playful flirtation.
What literary tradition does this poem belong to?
It fits within the tradition of light occasional verse and pastoral love poetry. The name Chloe, along with the playful tone and small scale, ties it to a rich history of clever, lighthearted poems celebrating delightful company and the passing of time.
Citation
Cite this poem
MLA
Lowell, James Russell. "Chloe." Storgy, https://storgy.com/poems/chloe-james-russell-lowell/.
APA
Lowell, J. R. (n.d.). Chloe. Storgy. https://storgy.com/poems/chloe-james-russell-lowell/
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