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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE STORM by GEORGE HERBERT

Poet Analysis

First Line: IF AS THE WINDES AND WATERS HERE BELOW
Last Line: THEY PURGE THE AIRE WITHOUT, WITHIN THE BREAST.
Subject(s): REPENTANCE; STORMS; PENITENCE;

IF, as the windes and waters here below
Do flie and flow,
My sighs and tears as busy were above,
Sure they would move
And much affect thee, as tempestuous times
Amaze poore mortals, and object their crimes.

Starres have their storms, ev'n in a high degree,
As well as we.
A throbbing conscience, spurred by remorse,
Hath a strange force:
It quits the earth, and, mounting more and more,
Dares to assault thee, and besiege thy doore.

There it stands knocking, to thy musicks wrong,
And drowns the song.
Glorie and honour are set by, till it
An answer get.
Poets have wrong'd poore storms: such dayes are best;
They purge the aire without, within the breast.



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