Katherine Philips calls her friend Ardelia to a shady bower, a place where their souls can blend quietly, far from public life. The speaker feels a deep weariness with ambition, political scheming, and the constant anxiety of the court — all those “serious follys” she can now smile at. Here there’s no struggle for power, no fear of the mighty, just two hearts living inside each other’s trust. The mood is one of intimate serenity and gentle defiance. She watches the sun force flocks into the shade and compares her age to a scorching heat that makes retreat a necessity. Certain of one another’s minds, she and Ardelia turn from the boistrous world and enjoy what princes only wish for — a quiet, unconfined happiness. The poem turns friendship into a quiet fortress, charmed and untouchable.
A Retir'd Friendship — Summary
Come, my Ardelia, to this bowre, Where kindly mingling Souls a while, Let's innocently spend an houre, And at all serious follys smile
Here is no quarrelling for Crowns, Nor fear of changes in our fate; No trembling at the Great ones frowns Nor any slavery of state.
Here's no disguise, nor treachery Nor any deep conceal'd design; From blood and plots this place is free, And calm as are those looks of thine.
Here let us sit and bless our Starres Who did such happy quiet give, As that remov'd from noise of warres. In one another's hearts we live.
We should we entertain a feare? Love cares not how the world is turn'd. If crouds of dangers should appeare, Yet friendship can be unconcern'd.
We weare about us such a charme, No horrour can be our offence; For misheif's self can doe no harme To friendship and to innocence.
Let's mark how soone Apollo's beams Command the flocks to quit their meat, And not intreat the neighbour -- streams To quench their thirst, but coole their heat.
In such a scorching Age as this, Whoever would not seek a shade Deserve their happiness to misse, As having their own peace betray'd.
But we (of one another's mind Assur'd,) the boistrous world disdain; With quiet souls, and unconfin'd, Enjoy what princes wish in vain.