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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE DAWNING by GEORGE HERBERT

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: AWAKE SAD HEART, WHOM SORROW EVER DROWNS
Last Line: DRAWS TEARS OR BLOUD, NOT WANT AN HANDKERCHIEF.

AWAKE, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns:
Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth,
Unfold thy forehead gather'd into frowns;
Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth:
Awake, awake;
And with a thankfull heart his comforts take.
But thou dost still lament, and pine, and crie;
And feel his death, but not his victorie.

Arise, sad heart; if thou dost not withstand,
Christs resurrection thine may be:
Do not, by hanging down, break from the hand,
Which, as it riseth, raiseth thee:
Arise, arise;
And with his buriall-linen drie thine eyes.
Christ left his grave-clothes, that we might, when grief
Draws tears or bloud, not want an handkerchief.



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