|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AFFLICTION, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Peace, peace; it is not so. Thou dost miscall
Last Line: Making the whole most musical.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
First Line: Peace, peace; it is not so. Thou dost miscall
Last Line: Making the whole most musical.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
Peace, peace; it is not so. Thou dost miscall
Thy physic; pills that change
Thy sick accessions into settled health,
This is the great Elixir that turns gall
To wine and sweetness; poverty to wealth,
And brings man home, when he doth range.
Did not he, who ordained the day,
Ordain night too?
And in the greater world display
What in the lesser he would do?
All flesh is clay, thou know'st; and but that God
Doth use his rod,
And by a fruitful change of frosts and showers
Cherish and bind thy pow'rs,
Thou wouldst to weeds and thistles quite disperse,
And be more wild than is thy verse;
Sickness is wholesome, and crosses are but curbs
To check the mule, unruly man,
They are heaven's husbandry, the famous fan
Purging the floor which chaff disturbs.
Were all the year one constant sunshine, we
Should have no flowers,
All would be drought and leanness; not a tree
Would make us bowers;
Beauty consists in colours; and that's best
Which is not fixed, but flies and flows;
The settled red is dull, and whites that rest
Something of sickness would disclose.
Vicissitude plays all the game,
Nothing that stirs,
Or hath a name,
But waits upon this wheel,
Kingdoms too have their physic, and for steel,
Exchange their peace and furs.
Thus doth God key disordered man
(Which none else can)
Tuning his breast to rise or fall;
And by a sacred, needful art,
Like strings, stretch ev'ry part
Making the whole most musical.