George Herbert

1593 - 1633 *

English poet who was born in Wales whose work was largely religion orientated.

Born into an aristocratic family after a solid education Hebert went on to become a Fellow at Cambridge and assumed the role of Public Orator. After satisfying his worldly ambitions and achieving prestige he became disillusioned andbecame an Anglican priest settling into a new role of Recotor.
Conflicts of a personal nature emerged subsequently and his rage and resistance to the religious life was tempered with submission and devotion. These feelings reflect in his poetry where he uses anthem forms with a precision of language and use of imagery. H3 conveys his message by invoking arguements and draws on rhetoric. His use of verbless clauses convey a form of comprehension beyond thought and language. G. Herbert's work is constrated with John Donne and he was befriended by Francis Bacon. He wrote a guide for rural priests " A priest in the Temple" otherwise known as the "Country Parson".
George Herbert's poetry sounds a note of contrition and humility. He died of concumption in 1633.

          Source: Classics Network Editorial Team

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To write a verse or two is all the praise
That I can raise. -- Praise.

George Herbert

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky. -- Virtue.

George Herbert

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie. -- Virtue.

George Herbert

Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like seasoned timber, never gives. -- Virtue.

George Herbert

Like summer friends,
Flies of estate and sunneshine. -- The Answer.

George Herbert

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws
Makes that and th' action fine. -- The Elixir.

George Herbert

A verse may find him who a sermon flies,
And turn delight into a sacrifice. -- The Church Porch.

George Herbert

Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie;
A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby. -- The Church Porch.

George Herbert

Chase brave employment with a naked sword
Throughout the world. -- The Church Porch.

George Herbert

Sundays observe; think when the bells do chime,
'T is angels' music. -- The Church Porch.

George Herbert

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Additional searches

Herbert at Encarta Encyclopedia

Herbert at Britannica Encyclopedia

Herbert at Xrefer.com