Through pleasant descriptions of the landscape, Lanyer describes how just the presence of the Countess has a profound effect upon the land itself, “How often did you visit this fair tree, / Which seeming joyful in receiving thee” (Cookham 79-60)), Lanyer personifies nature in order to establish the otherworldly characteristics of the Countess, in turn elevating her far above herself as a poet. In reference to the Countess and her influence, Elaine V. Beilin suggests that, “The Countess’s presence blesses the landscape, her daughter, and the poet, who is enabled to write her poem in praise of divine virtue” (Beilin 202), which is reflected throughout the poem, as Lanyer mirrors her praises through direct mention of herself, and through the animals, and landscape’s personified
Through pleasant descriptions of the landscape, Lanyer describes how just the presence of the Countess has a profound effect upon the land itself, “How often did you visit this fair tree, / Which seeming joyful in receiving thee” (Cookham 79-60)), Lanyer personifies nature in order to establish the otherworldly characteristics of the Countess, in turn elevating her far above herself as a poet. In reference to the Countess and her influence, Elaine V. Beilin suggests that, “The Countess’s presence blesses the landscape, her daughter, and the poet, who is enabled to write her poem in praise of divine virtue” (Beilin 202), which is reflected throughout the poem, as Lanyer mirrors her praises through direct mention of herself, and through the animals, and landscape’s personified