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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PEARL, by GEORGE HERBERT Poem Explanation Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I know the ways of learning; both the head Last Line: To climb to thee. Variant Title(s): The Pearl. Matth. 13. 45 Subject(s): Bible; Religion; Theology | |||
I KNOW the wayes of Learning; both the head And pipes that feed the presse, and make it runne; What reason hath from nature borrowed, Or of itself, like a good huswife, spunne In laws and policie; what the starres conspire, What willing nature speaks, what forc'd by fire; Both th' old discoveries, and the new-found seas, The stock and surplus, cause and historie: All these stand open, or I have the keyes: Yet I love thee. I know the wayes of Honour, what maintains The quick returns of courtesie and wit: In vies of favours whether partie gains, When glorie swells the heart, and moldeth it To all expressions both of hand and eye, Which on the world a true-love-knot may tie, And bear the bundle, wheresoe're it goes: How many drammes of spirit there must be To sell my life unto my friends or foes: Yet I love thee. I know the wayes of Pleasure, the sweet strains, The lullings and the relishes of it; The propositions of hot bloud and brains; What mirth and musick mean; what love and wit Have done these twentie hundred years, and more: I know the projects of unbridled store: My stuffe is flesh, not brasse; my senses live, And grumble oft, that they have more in me Than he that curbs them, being but one to five: Yet I love thee. I know all these, and have them in my hand: Therefore not sealed, but with open eyes I flie to thee, and fully understand Both the main sale, and the commodities; And at what rate and price I have thy love; With all the circumstances that may move. Yet through the labyrinths, not my groveling wit, But thy silk twist, let down from heav'n to me, Did both conduct and teach me how by it To climb to thee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY A DIALOGUE ANTHEM by GEORGE HERBERT |
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