Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHURCH WINDOWS, by GEORGE HERBERT


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CHURCH WINDOWS, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?
Last Line: And in the ear, not conscience, ring.
Variant Title(s): The Windows
Subject(s): Churches; Worship; Cathedrals


Lord, how can man preach thy eternal word?
He is a brittle crazy glass;
Yet in thy temple thou dost him afford
This glorious and transcendent place,
To be a window, through thy grace.

But when thou dost anneal in glass thy story,
Making thy life to shine within
The holy preachers, then the light and glory
Most reverend grows, and more doth win;
Which else shows waterish, bleak and thin.

Doctrine and life, colors and light, in one
When they combine and mingle, bring
A strong regard and awe; but speech alone
Doth vanish like a flaring thing,
And in the ear, not conscience, ring.




Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net