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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
GIDDINESSE, by GEORGE HERBERT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, what a thing is man! How farre from power
Last Line: Our own salvation.
Variant Title(s): Giddiness
First Line: Oh, what a thing is man! How farre from power
Last Line: Our own salvation.
Variant Title(s): Giddiness
OH, what a thing is man! how farre from power,
From settled peace and rest!
He is some twentie sev'rall men at least
Each sev'rall houre.
One while he counts of heaven, as of his treasure;
But then a thought creeps in,
And calls him coward, who for fear of sinne
Will lose a pleasure.
Now he will fight it out, and to the warres;
Now eat his bread in peace,
And snudge in quiet: now he scorns increase;
Now all day spares.
He builds a house, which quickly down must go,
As if a whirlwinde blew
And crusht the building: and it's partly true,
His minde is so.
O what a sight were man, if his attires
Did alter with his minde!
And, like a dolphins skinne, his clothes combin'd
With his desires!
Surely, if each one saw anothers heart,
There would be no commerce,
No sale or bargain passe: all would disperse,
And live apart.
Lord, mend or rather make us; one creation
Will not suffice our turn:
Except thou make us dayly, we shall spurn
Our own salvation.
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