Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CONTENT, by GEORGE HERBERT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Peace mutt'ring thoughts, and do not grudge to keep Last Line: Hath ever found a happie fortune. | ||||||||
PEACE, mutt'ring thoughts, and do not grudge to keep Within the walls of your own breast. Who cannot on his own bed sweetly sleep, Can on anothers hardly rest. Gad not abroad at ev'ry quest and call Of an untrained hope or passion. To court each place or fortune that doth fall, Is wantonnesse in contemplation. Mark how the fire in flints doth quiet lie, Content and warm t' it self alone; But when it would appeare to others eye, Without a knock it never shone. Give me the pliant mind, whose gentle measure Complies and suits with all estates; Which can let loose to a crown, and yet with pleasure Take up within a cloisters gates. This soul doth span the world, and hang content From either pole unto the centre: Where in each room of the well-furnisht tent He lies warm, and without adventure. The brags of life are but a nine dayes wonder; And, after death, the fumes that spring From private bodies make as big a thunder As those which rise from a huge king. Onely thy chronicle is lost: and yet Better by worms be all once spent, Than to have hellish moths still gnaw and fret Thy name in books, which may not rent. When all thy deeds, whose brunt thou feel'st alone, Are chaw'd by others pens and tongue, And as their wit is, their digestion, Thy nourisht fame is weak or strong. Then cease discoursing soul; till thine own ground; Do not thyself or friends importune. He that by seeking hath himself once found, Hath ever found a happie fortune. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A TRUE HYMN [HYMNE] by GEORGE HERBERT CHURCH MONUMENTS by GEORGE HERBERT CHURCH-MUSICK [CHURCH MUSIC] by GEORGE HERBERT |
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