Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VANITY [OR, VANITIE] (1), by GEORGE HERBERT


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VANITY [OR, VANITIE] (1), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The fleet astronomer can bore
Last Line: To find our death, but missest life at hand.


The fleet astronomer can bore
And thread the spheres with his quick-piercing mind:
He views their stations, walks from door to door,
Surveys, as if he had designed
To make a purchase there; he sees their dances,
And knoweth long before
Both their full-eyed aspects, and secret glances.

The nimble diver with his side,
Cuts through the working waves, that he may fetch
His dearly-earned pearl, which God did hide
On purpose from the ventruous wretch;
That he might save his life, and also hers
Who with excessive pride
Her own destruction and his danger wears.

The subtle chemic can divest
And strip the creature naked, till he find
The callow principles within their nest:
There he imparts to them his mind,
Admitted to their bed-chamber, before
They appear trim and dressed
To ordinary suitors at the door.

What hath not man sought out and found,
But his dear God? who yet his glorious law
Embosoms in us, mellowing the ground
With showers and frosts, with love and awe,
So that we need not say, "Where's this command?"
Poor man, thou searchest round
To find our death, but missest life at hand.




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