Complete Poetical Works of George Herbert Read online

  [Barnabas Oley’s biographical notice of Herbert prefixed to the 1652 edition of the Country Parson is valuable as the testimony of a personal friend. The very sympathetic memoir written by Izaak Walton, who was not personally acquainted with Herbert, was first published in 1670, with some letters written by Herbert to his mother while he was at Cambridge, and extracts from Donne’s correspondence with Lady Herbert. Walton’s Life was republished in 1674 with his collected lives of Donne, Hooker. &c., and with the 1674 and later editions of Herbert’s poems. See also Nicholas Ferrar, two lives edited by Professor J. E. B. Mayor (Cambridge, 1855, 8vo); Powysland Club collections, vii. 132 sq.; and Dr. Grosart’s valuable introduction to his collected edition of all Herbert’s known writings, with his notes on Walton’s memoir.]

  S. L. L.

  An early etching of the devotional poet

  Herbert’s first biographer, Izaak Walton, wrote that the poet composed “such hymns and anthems as he and the angels now sing in heaven”.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE POETRY

  CONTENTS

  English Poems

  THE TEMPLE

  POEMS FROM IZAAK WALTON’S THE LIFE OF MR GEORGE HERBERT

  SONNETS.

  TO MY SUCCESSOR.

  MISCELLANEOUS ENGLISH POEMS

  THE HOLY COMMUNION.

  LOVE.

  TRINITY SUNDAY.

  EVEN-SONG.

  THE KNELL.

  PERSEVERANCE.

  TO THE RIGHT HON. THE L. CHANCELLOR BACON.

  A PARADOX. THAT THE SICK ARE IN BETTER STATE THAN THE WHOLE.

  TO THE LADY ELIZABETH QUEEN OF BOHEMIA.

  L’ENVOY.

  The Latin and Greek Poems

  GEORGII HERBERTI ANGLI

  ILLUSTRISS. CELSISSIMÓQUE CAROLO, WALLIAE, & IUUENTUTIS PRINCIPI.

  REUERENDISSIMO IN CHRISTO PATRI AC DOMINO, EPISCOPO VINTONIENSI, &C.

  PRO DISCIPLINA ECCLESIAE NOSTRAE EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA.

  I. AD REGEM INSTITUTI EPIGRAMMATICI RATIO.

  II. AD MELVINUM.

  III. AD EUNDEM. IN MONSTRUM VOCABULI ANTI-TAMI-CAMI-CATEGORIA.

  IV. PARTITIO ANTI-TAMI-CAMI-CATEGORIA.

  V. IN METRI GENUS.

  VI. DE LARUAT GORGONE.

  VII. DE PRAESULUM FASTU.

  VIII. DE GEMIN ACADEMI.

  IX. DE S. BAPTISMI RITU

  X. DE SIGNACULO CRUCIS.

  XI. DE IURAMENTO ECCLESIAE.

  XII. DE PURIFICATIONE POST PUERPERIUM.

  XIII. DE ANTICHRISTI DECORE PONTIFICALI.

  XIV. DE SUPERPELLICEO.

  XV. DE PILEO QUADRATO.

  XVI. IN CATHARUM.

  XVII. DE EPISCOPIS.

  XVIII. AD MELVINUM: DE IJSDEM.

  XIX. DE TEXTORE CATHARO.

  XX. DE MAGICIS ROTATIBUS.

  XXI. AD FRATRES.

  XXII. DE LABE MACULÍSQUE.

  XXIII. DE MUSIC SACR.

  XXIV. DE EDEM.

  XXV. DE RITUUM VSU.

  XXVI. DE ANNULO CONIUGALI.

  XXVII. DE MUNDIS & MUNDANIS.

  XXVIII. DE ORATIONE DOMINIC.

  XXIX. IN CATHARUM QUENDAM.

  XXX. DE LUP LUSTRI VATICANI.

  XXXI. DE IMPOSITIONE MANUUM.

  XXXII. SUPPLICUM MINISTRORUM RAPTUS.

  XXXIII. DE AUTORUM ENUMERATIONE.

  XXXIV. DE AURI SACR FAME.

  XXXV. AD SCOTIAM. PROTREPTICON AD PACEM.

  XXXVI. AD SEDUCTOS INNOCENTES.

  XXXVII. AD MELVINUM.

  XXXVIII. AD EUNDEM.

  XXXIX. AD SEREN. REGEM.

  XL. AD DEUM.

  LUCUS

  I. HOMO, STATUA.

  II. PATRIA.

  III. IN STEPHANUM LAPIDATUM.

  IV. IN SIMONEM MAGUM.

  V. IN S. SCRIPTURAS.

  VI. IN PACEM BRITANNICAM.

  VII. AUARITIA.

  VIII. IN LOTIONEM PEDUM APOSTOLORUM.

  IX. IN D. LUCAM.

  X. PAPAE TITULUS NEC DEUS NEC HOMO.

  XI. TRIBUTI SOLUTIO.

  XII. TEMPESTAS CHRISTO DORMIENTE.

  XIII. BONUS CIUIS.

  XIV. IN VMBRAM PETRI.

  XV. MARTHA: MARIA.

  XVI. AMOR.

  XVII. IN SUPERBUM.

  XVIII. IN EUNDEM.

  XIX. AFFLICTIO.

  XX. IN ‘KENODOZIAN’

  XXI. IN GULOSUM.

  XXII. IN IMPROBUM DISERTUM.

  XXIII. CONSOLATIO.

  XXIV. IN ANGELOS.

  XXV. ROMA.

  XXVI. VRBANI VIII PONT. RESPONS.

  XXVII. RESPONS. AD VRB. VIII.

  XXVIII. AD VRBANUM VIII PONT.

  XXX. IN THOMAM DIDYMUM.

  XXXI. IN SOLARIUM.

  XXXII. TRIUMPHUS MORTIS.

  XXXIII. TRIUMPHUS CHRISTIANI. IN MORTEM.

  XXXIV. IN IOHANNEM ‘EPISTETHION’

  XXXV. AD DOMINUM.

  PASSIO DISCERPTA

  I. AD DOMINUM MORIENTEM.

  II. IN SUDOREM SANGUINEUM.

  III. IN EUNDEM.

  IV. IN LATUS PERFOSSUM.

  V. IN SPUTUM & CONUICIA.

  VI. IN CORONAM SPINEAM.

  VII. IN ARUND. SPIN. GENUFLEX. PURPUR.

  VIII. IN ALAPAS.

  IX. IN FLAGELLUM.

  X. IN VESTES DIUISAS.

  XI. IN PIUM LATRONEM.

  XII. IN CHRISTUM CRUCEM ASCENSURUM.

  XIII. CHRISTUS IN CRUCE.

  XIV. IN CLAUOS.

  XV. INCLINATO CAPITE. JOH. 19.

  XVI. AD SOLEM DEFICIENTEM.

  XVII. MONUMENTA APERTA.

  XVIII. TERRAE-MOTUS.

  XIX. VELUM SCISSUM.

  XX. PETRAE SCISSAE.

  XXI. IN MUNDI SYMPATHIAM CUM CHRISTO.

  MEMORIAE MATRIS SACRUM

  IN OBITUM HENRICI PRINCIPIS WALLIAE.

  INNUPTA PALLAS, NATA DIESPITRE.

  IN NATALES ET PASCHA CONCURRENTES.

  IN OBITUM SERENISSIMAE REGINAE ANNAE.

  AD AUTOREM INSTAURATIONIS MAGNAE.

  COMPARATIO INTER MUNUS SUMMI CANCELLARIATUS ET LIBRUM.

  IN HONOREM ILLUSTR. D. D. VERULAMIJ, STI ALBANI, MAG. SIGILLI CUSTODIS POST EDITAM AB EO INSTAURATIONEM MAGNAM.

  AETHIOPISSA AMBIT CESTUM DIUERSI COLORIS VIRUM.

  DUM PETIT INFANTEM.

  IN OBITUM INCOMPARABILIS FRANCISCI VICECOMITIS SANCTI ALBANI, BARONIS VERULAMIJ.

  IN SACRAM ANCHORAM PISCATORIS, G. HERBERT.

  Latin and Greek Poems Translated

  PARENTALIA.

  I. AH Mater, quo te deplorem fonte? Dolores

  II. Corneliae sanctae, graves Semproniae

  III. Cur splendes, o Phoebe? ecquid demittere matrem

  IV. Quid nugor calamo favens

  V. Horti, deliciae Dominae, marcescite tandem

  VI. Galene, frustra es, cur miserum premens

  VII.Pallida materni Genii atque exsanguis imago

  VIII. Parvam piamqne dum lubetner semitam

  IX. Hoc, Genitrix, scriptum proles tibi sedula mittit.

  X. Hempe hujusque notos tenebricosos

  XI. Dum librata suis hacret radicibus ilex

  XII. Facesse Stoica plebs, obambulans cautes.

  XIII. Epitaphium.

  XIV.Greek Poem

  XV. Greek Poem

  XVI. Greek Poem

  XVII. Greek Poem

  XVIII. Greek Poem

  XIX. Excussos manibus calamos falcemque resumptam

  ANTI-TAMI-CAMI-CATEGORIA

  PARASYNAGMA PERTHENSE

  A DEFENCE IN BEHALF OF THE PETITION OF THE EVANGELICAL MINISTERS IN ENGLAND

  EPIGRAMS IN DEFENCE OF THE DISCIPLINE OF OUR CHURCH.

  I. Augustissimo Potentissimoque Monarchae Jacobo, D. G. Magnae

  II. Illustris celsissimoque Carolo, Walliae et Juventutis Principi.

  III. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri ac Domino Episcopo Vintoniensi, &c.

  IV. Ad Regem Epigrammata duo.

  V. Ad Melvinum.

  VI. In Mon
strum vocabuli Anti-Tami-Cami-Categoria.

  VII. Partitio Anti-Tami-Cami-Categoriae.

  VIII. In Metri Genus.

  IX. De Larvata Gorgone.

  X. De Praesulum Fastu.

  XI. De Gemina Academia.

  XII. De S. Baptismi Ritu.

  XIII. De Signaculo Crucis.

  XIV. De Juramento Ecclesiae.

  XV. De Purificatione post Puerperium.

  XVI. De Antichristi decore Pontificali.

  XVII. De Superpelliceo.

  XVIII. De Pileo Quadrato.

  XIX. In Catharum.

  XX. De Episcopis.

  XXI. De iisdem: ad Melvinum.

  XXII. De Textore Catharo.

  XXIII. De Magicis Rotatibus.

  XXIV. Ad Fratres.

  XXV. De labe maculisque.

  XXVI. De Musica Sacra.

  XXVII. De eadem.

  XXVIII. De Rituum Usu.

  XXIX. De Annulo Conjugali.

  XXX. De Mundis et Mundanis.

  XXXI. De Oratione Dominica.

  XXXII. In Catharum quendam.

  XXXIII. De Lupa lustri Vaticani.

  XXXIV. De Impositione Manuum.

  XXXV. Supplicum Ministroram Raptus κωμωδούμα,ος.

  XXXVI. De Auctorum Enumeratione.

  XXXVII. De Anri sacra Fame.

  XXXVIII. Ad Scotiam Protrepticon ad Pacem.

  XXXIX. Ad seductos Innocentes.

  XL. Ad Melvinum.

  XLI. Ad eundem.

  XLII. Ad seven. Regem.

  XLIII. Ad Deum.

  OTHER LATIN POEMS.

  I. Ad Auctorem Instaurationis Magnae [Franciscum Bacon].

  II. In honorem illustrissimi Domini Francisci de Verulamio, Vice Comitis Sti Albani.

  III. Comparatio inter Munus Summi Cancellariatus et Librum.

  IV. Aethiopissa ambit Cestum diversi coloris Virum.

  V. In Obitum incomparabilis Vice-Comitis Sancti Albani, Baronis Verulamii.

  VI. In Natales et Pascha concurrentes.

  VII. Ad Johannem Donne, D.D.

  VII. On the Anchor-Seal.

  VIII. Cum petit Infantem Princeps, Grantamque Jacobus

  IX. Vero verius ergo quid sit audi

  X. In Obitum serenissimae Reginae Annae.

  XI. In Obitum Henrici Principis Walliae.

  XII. Innupta Pallas, nata Diespatre

  VIII. PASSIO DISCERPTA. LUCUS.

  PASSIO DISCERPTA.

  I. Ad Dominum morientem.

  II. In Sudorem sanguineum.

  III. In eundem.

  IV. In Latus perfossum.

  V. In Sputum et Convicia.

  VI. In Coronam spineam.

  VII. In Arund., Spin., Genufl., Purpur.

  VII. In Alapas.

  IX. In Flagellum.

  X. In Vestes divisas.

  XI. In pium Latronem.

  XII. In Christum Crucem ascensurum.

  XIII. Christus in Cruce.

  XIV. In Clavos.

  XV. Inclinato capite. John xix. 30.

  XVI. Ad Solem deficientem.

  XVII. Monumenta aperta.

  XVIII. Terrae-motus.

  XIX. Velum scissum.

  XX. Petrae scissae.

  XXI. In Mundi Sympathiam cum Christo.

  LUCUS.

  I. Homo Statua.

  II. Patria.

  III. In Stephanum lapidatum.

  IV. In Simonem Magum.

  V. In S. Scripturas.

  VI. In Pacem Britannicam.

  VII. Avaritia.

  VIII. In Lotionem Pedum Apostolorum.

  IX. In D. Lucam.

  X. Papae Titulus nec Deus nec Homo.

  XI. Tributi Solutio.

  XII. Tempestas, Christo dormiente.

  XIII. Bonus Civis.

  XIV. In Umbram Petri.

  XV. Martha: Maria.

  XVI. Amor.

  XVII. In Superbum.

  XVIII. In eundem.

  XIX. Afflictio.

  XX. In κενοδοξίαν.

  XXI. In Gulosum.

  XXII. In Improbum disertum.

  XXIII. Consolatio.

  XXIV. In Angelos.

  XXV. Roma: Anagr[ Oram. Ramo. Mora. Amor

  XXVI. Urbani VIII. Pont. Restons.

  XXVII. Respons ad Urb. VIII.

  XXVIII. Ad Urbanum VIII. Pont.

  XXIX. Greek Poem.

  XXX. In Thomam Didymum.

  XXXI. In Solarium.

  XXXII. Triumphus Mortis.

  XXXIII. Triumphus Christiani in Mortem.

  XXXIV. In Johannem ί’πιστήθίοΐ’.

  XXXV. Ad Dominum.

  The first edition of ‘The Temple’

  The original title page of Herbert’s masterpiece

  A demonstration of one of Herbert’s ‘pattern’ or ‘shape’ poems: ‘Easter Wings’, where the poem is not only meant to be read, but its shape is meant to be appreciated. In this case, the poem was printed (original image here shown) on two facing pages of a book, sideways, so that the lines suggest two birds flying upward, with wings spread out.

  English Poems

  THE TEMPLE

  CONTENTS

  THE DEDICATION.

  THE CHURCH-PORCH.

  PERIRRHANTERIUM

  SUPERLIMINARE

  THE CHURCH

  THE ALTAR.

  THE SACRIFICE.

  THE THANKSGIVING.

  THE REPRISAL.

  THE AGONY.

  THE SINNER.

  GOOD FRIDAY.

  REDEMPTION.

  SEPULCHRE.

  EASTER.

  EASTER-WINGS.

  HOLY BAPTISM I.

  HOLY BAPTISM II.

  NATURE.

  SIN I.

  AFFLICTION I.

  REPENTANCE.

  FAITH.

  PRAYER I.

  THE HOLY COMMUNION.

  ANTIPHON I.

  LOVE I.

  LOVE II.

  THE TEMPER I.

  THE TEMPER II.

  JORDAN I.

  EMPLOYMENT I.

  THE HOLY SCRIPTURES I.

  THE HOLY SCRIPTURES II.

  WHITSUNDAY.

  GRACE.

  PRAISE I.

  AFFLICTION II.

  MATINS.

  SIN II.

  EVENSONG.

  CHURCH-MONUMENTS.

  CHURCH-MUSIC.

  CHURCH-LOCK AND KEY.

  THE CHURCH-FLOOR.

  THE WINDOWS.

  TRINITY SUNDAY.

  CONTENT.

  THE QUIDDITY.

  HUMILITY.

  FRAILTY.

  CONSTANCY.

  AFFLICTION III.

  THE STAR.

  SUNDAY.

  AVARICE.

  TO ALL ANGELS AND SAINTS.

  EMPLOYMENT II.

  DENIAL.

  CHRISTMAS.

  UNGRATEFULNESS.

  SIGHS AND GROANS.

  THE WORLD.

  COLOSS. 3:3

  VANITY I.

  LENT.

  VIRTUE.

  THE PEARL

  AFFLICTION IV.

  MAN.

  ANTIPHON II.

  UNKINDNESS.

  LIFE.

  SUBMISSION.

  JUSTICE I.

  CHARMS AND KNOTS.

  AFFLICTION (5).

  MORTIFICATION.

  DECAY.

  MISERY.

  JORDAN II.

  PRAYER II.

  OBEDIENCE.

  CONSCIENCE.

  SION.

  HOME.

  THE BRITISH CHURCH.

  THE QUIP.

  VANITY II.

  THE DAWNING.

  IESU.

  BUSINESS.

  DIALOGUE.

  DULLNESS.

  LOVE-JOY.

  PROVIDENCE.

  HOPE.

  SIN’S ROUND.

  TIME.

  GRATEFULNESS.

  PEACE.

  CONFESSION.


  GIDDINESS.

  THE BUNCH OF GRAPES.

  LOVE UNKNOWN.

  MAN’S MEDLEY.

  THE STORM.

  PARADISE.

  THE METHOD.

  DIVINITY.

  EPHES. 4:30. GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT, & C.

  THE FAMILY.

  THE SIZE.

  ARTILLERY.

  CHURCH-RENTS AND SCHISMS.

  JUSTICE II.

  THE PILGRIMAGE.

  THE HOLDFAST.

  COMPLAINING.

  THE DISCHARGE.

  PRAISE II.

  AN OFFERING.

  LONGING.

  THE BAG.

  THE JEWS.

  THE COLLAR.

  THE GLIMPSE.

  ASSURANCE.

  THE CALL.

  CLASPING OF HANDS.

  PRAISE III.

  JOSEPH’S COAT.

  THE PULLEY.

  THE PRIESTHOOD.

  THE SEARCH.

  GRIEF.

  THE CROSS.

  THE FLOWER.

  DOTAGE.

  THE SON.

  A TRUE HYMN.

  THE ANSWER.

  A DIALOGUE-ANTHEM.

  THE WATER-COURSE.

  SELF-CONDEMNATION.

  BITTER-SWEET.

  THE GLANCE.

  THE 23D PSALM.

  MARY MAGDALENE.

  AARON.

  THE ODOUR. 2 COR. 2:15

  THE FOIL.

  THE FORERUNNERS.

  THE ROSE.

  DISCIPLINE.

  THE INVITATION.

  THE BANQUET.

  THE POSY.

  A PARODY.

  THE ELIXIR.

  A WREATH.

  DEATH.

  DOOMSDAY.

  JUDGEMENT.

  HEAVEN.