Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
- Joined: Dec 12th, 2009
- Posts: 95
I looked up the dictionary but have no ideas. I still can't understand why they use "lay" here and what the exact meaning.
-------I also worked with a group of lay Buddhists.
-------And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay.
Help!
wefrucar
Re: Why they use "lay" and what does it mean?
The first one is "lay" in the sense of laity or laymen.
Lay buddhists are people who support buddhist monks and temples and generally study/practice buddhism, but are not actually ordained monks.
The second one I'm not entirely sure; I believe it's old english meaning a tune or song from a bird.
Sometimes I feel it is maybe unbearable always be traditional Chinese girl.
Jane Eyre
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Thanks a lot...
The second sentence is in a poem...It makes me feel uncomfortable and I hope I can ask the poet someday. ^^
zhenlai
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Can you tell me the name of the poem and the writer? If you can I might be able to help you understand.
美国鬼子
Jane Eyre
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
OK of course I would like to.
It is by Thomas Nashe, the name is Spring.
wefrucar
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Spring, the Sweet Spring by Thomas Nashe.
You may have a tough time asking him since he died 400 years ago....
That's a pretty obscure choice of poetry to be reading....
Sometimes I feel it is maybe unbearable always be traditional Chinese girl.
Jane Eyre
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
...Hello Mr.wefrucar, I just need help. In fact that 'lay' gave me a tough time. I read it accidentally and I can't forget it.
zhenlai
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Since this is a poem I suspect that he is using either an intransitive verb. A verb that does not point to any certain object, or since it is a poem the verb lay is short for the noun layout. A plan or design of something that is laid out. He had to have something that would rhyme with gay and way would not suffice. What I read from below is a description of something.
The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay—
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!
Until I find a better discussion of the poem that is the best I can do. However, your question is a very good one.
美国鬼子
wave
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Could I suggest the remote possibility that the 'merry lay' is referring to the mood of the tune as played on a flute or bagpipes.
The players of these instruments 'lay' their fingers on the instrument.
It's also mentioned in The Tears of Scotland.
http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetry/blpoems_tears.htm
Sometimes the same is different, but mostly, it's the same.
wave
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
In Nashe's poem, it's the birds making the tune like that of the 'merry' tune of a flute or bagpipes.
Sometimes the same is different, but mostly, it's the same.
Jane Eyre
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
I never thought my questions would be resolved patiently and prudently like what you did.
What you told me really helped.
wefrucar,zhenlai,wave,thanks a lot!
COOLBOY
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
Lay means raw. A lay man. It also means to go down as when you lay down and spreed your pussy. Jah Bless. Thank you.
4you
nomadwa
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
The word "lay" means a song or tune in the Nashe poem.
Here's the entry from the American Heritage Dictionary:
Lay3: A narrative poem, such as one sung by medieval minstrels; a ballad.
It comes from the French word "lai". If you are interested in poetry composed in languages other than English, you may want to check out Marie de France, the medieval poetess, who is famous for her lais féeriques and lais réalistes.
The Lizard King
Re: Why do they use "lay" and what does it mean?
as if a woman could really write something...
puhlease!
we talking poetry here! you know, not dinner...
oh yeah? well, let me ask you this: shut up!