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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JORDAN (2), by GEORGE HERBERT Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: When first my lines of heavenly joys made mention
Last Line: Copie out onely that, and save expense.
Subject(s): Jordan River
First Line: When first my lines of heavenly joys made mention
Last Line: Copie out onely that, and save expense.
Subject(s): Jordan River
WHEN first my lines of heav'nly joyes made mention,
Such was their lustre, they did so excell,
That I sought out quaint words, and trim invention;
My thoughts began to burnish, sprout, and swell,
Curling with metaphors a plain intention,
Decking the sense, as if it were to sell.
Thousands of notions in my brain did runne,
Off'ring their service, if I were not sped:
I often blotted what I had begunne;
This was not quick enough, and that was dead.
Nothing could seem too rich to clothe the sunne,
Much lesse those joyes which trample on his head.
As flames do work and winde when they ascend,
So did I weave myself into the sense.
But, while I bustled, I might hear a friend
Whisper, How wide is all this long pretence!
There is in love a sweetnesse ready penn'd:
Copie out onely that, and save expense.
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