Any fans of George Herbert?

Discussion in 'Arts, Literature, and Games' started by Scottish Knight, Aug 21, 2011.

  1. Scottish Knight

    Scottish Knight Well-Known Member

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    Any fans of Herbert's poetry here? He's one of my favourite poets.

    A couple of my favourites:

    Aaron
    Holiness on the head,
    Light and perfection on the breast,
    Harmonious bells below, raising the dead
    To lead them unto life and rest.
    Thus are true Aarons dressed.

    Profaneness in my head,
    Defects and darkness in my breast,
    A noise of passions ringing me for dead
    Unto a place where is no rest.
    Poor priest thus am I dressed.

    Only another head
    I have, another heart and breast,
    another music, making live not dead,
    without whom I could have no rest:
    In him I am well dressed.

    Christ is my only head,
    My alone only heart and breast,
    My only music, striking me even dead;
    That to the old man I may rest,
    And be in him new dressed.

    So holy in my head,
    Perfect and light in my dear breast,
    My doctrine tuned by Christ, (who is not dead,
    But lives in me while I do rest)
    Come people; Aaron's dressed.

    Gratefulness

    You that have giv'n so much to me,

    Give one thing more, a grateful heart.

    See how your beggar works on thee

    By art.



    He makes your gifts occasion more,

    And says, If he in this be crossed,

    All you have giv'n him heretofore

    Is lost.



    But you did reckon, when at first

    Your word our hearts and hands did crave,

    What it would come to at the worst

    To save.



    Perpetual knockings at your door,

    Tears sullying your transparent rooms,

    Gift upon gift, much would have more,

    And comes.



    This notwithstanding, you still went on,

    And did allow us all our noise:

    Nay, you have made a sigh and groan

    Your joys.



    Not that you have not still above

    Much better tunes, than groans can make;

    But that these country-airs your love

    Did take.



    Wherefore I cry, and cry again;

    And in no quiet can you be,

    Till I a thankful heart obtain

    Of thee:


    Not thankful, when it pleases me;

    As if your blessings had spare days:

    But such a heart, whose pulse may be

    Your praise.
     
    Incense likes this.
  2. anglican74

    anglican74 Well-Known Member Anglican

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    I most certainly am.