Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE IDEA, by EDWARD HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE IDEA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All beauties vulgar eyes on earth do see
Last Line: Much more th' idea where you first began.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cherbury, 1st Baron Herbert Of; Herbert Of Cherbury, Edward Herbert, 1st Baron; Herbert Of Cherbury, Lord


MADE OF ALNWICK, IN HIS EXPEDITION TO SCOTLAND WITH THE ARMY, 1639

ALL beauties vulgar eyes on earth do see,
At best but some imperfect copies be
Of those the Heavens did at first decree.

For though th' ideas of each sev'ral kind,
Conceiv'd above by the Eternal Mind,
Are such as none can error in them find

(Since from his thoughts and presence he doth bear
And shut out all deformity so far
That the least beauty near him is a star);

As Nature yet from far th' ideas views,
And doth besides but vile materials choose,
We in her works observe no small abuse:

Some of her figures therefore, foil'd and blurr'd,
Show as if Heaven had no way concurr'd
In shapes so disproportion'd and absurd;

Which, being again vex'd with some hate and spite
That doth in them vengeance and rage excite,
Seem to be tortur'd and deformed quite.

While so being fix'd, they yet in them contain
Another sort of ugliness and stain,
B'ing with old wrinkles interlin'd again.

Lastly, as if Nature ev'n did not know
What colour every sev'ral part should owe,
They look as if their galls did overflow.

Fair is the mark of Good, and foul of Ill,
Although not so infallibly, but still
The proof depends most on the mind and will:

As Good yet rarely in the foul is met,
So 'twould as little by its union get
As a rich jewel that were poorly set;

For since Good first did at the fair begin,
Foul being but a punishment for sin,
Fair 's the true outside to the Good within.

In these the Supreme Pow'r then so doth guide
Nature's weak hand, as he doth add beside
All by which creatures can be dignifi'd;

While you in them see so exact a line,
That through each sev'ral part a glimpse doth shine
Of their original and form divine.

Therefore the characters of fair and good
Are so set forth and printed in their blood,
As each in other may be understood.

That beauty so accompani'd with grace,
And equally conspicuous in the face,
In a fair woman's outside takes the place.

Thus while in her all rare perfection meets,
Each as with joy its fellow beauty greets,
And varies so into a thousand sweets.

Or if some tempting thought do so assault
As doubtful she 'twixt two opinions halt,
A gentle blush corrects and mends the fault,

That so she still fairer and better grows,
Without that thus she more to passion owes
Than what fresh colour on her cheeks bestows.

To which again her lips such helps can add
As both will chase all grievous thoughts and sad,
And give what else can make her good or glad.

As statuaries yet, having fram'd in clay
An hollow image, afterwards convey
The molten metal through each several way;

But when it once unto its place hath pass'd,
And th' inward statua perfectly is cast,
Do throw away the outward clay at last:

So, when that form the Heav'ns at first decreed
Is finished within, souls do not need
Their bodies more, but would from them be freed.

For who still cover'd with their earth would lie?
Who would not shake their fetters off and fly,
And be, at least, next to a deity?

However then you be most lovely here,
Yet when you from all elements are clear,
You far more pure and glorious shall appear.

Thus from above I doubt not to behold
Your second self renew'd in your own mould,
And rising thence fairer than can be told.

From whence ascending to the elect and blest,
In your true joys you will not find it least
That I in heav'n shall know and love you best.

For while I do your coming there attend,
I shall much time on your idea spend,
And note how far all others you transcend.

And thus, though you more than an angel be,
Since being here to sin and mischief free,
You will have rais'd yourself to their degree,

That so victorious over Death and Fate,
And happy in your everlasting state,
You shall triumphant enter heaven gate.

Hasten not thither yet, for as you are
A beauty upon earth without compare,
You will show best still where you are most rare.

Live all out lives then: if the picture can
Here entertain a loving absent man,
Much more th' idea where you first began.





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