Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE DESIGN, by THOMAS TRAHERNE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE DESIGN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When first eternity stoop'd down to nought
Last Line: Even in that way that is the best.
Variant Title(s): The Choice
Subject(s): Time; Truth


1

When first Eternity stoop'd down to nought,
And in the earth its likeness sought,
When first it out of nothing fram'd the skies,
And form'd the moon and sun
That we might see what it had done,
It was so wise,
That it did prize
Things truly greatest, brightest, fairest, best.
All which it made, and left the rest.

2

Then did it take such care about the Truth,
Its daughter, that even in her youth,
Her face might shine upon us, and be known,
That by a better fate,
It other toys might antedate,
As soon as shown;
And be our own,
While we were hers; and that a virgin love
Her best inheritance might prove.

3

Thoughts undefiled, simple, naked, pure;
Thoughts worthy ever to endure,
Our first and disengaged thoughts it loves,
And therefore made the Truth,
In infancy and tender youth,
So obvious to
Our easy view
That it doth prepossess our soul, and proves
The cause of what it all ways moves.

4

By merit and desire it doth allure;
For Truth is so divine and pure,
So rich and acceptable, being seen
(Not parted, but in whole),
That it doth draw and force the soul,
As the great queen
Of bliss, between
Whom and the soul, no one pretender ought
Thrust in, to captivate a thought.

5

Hence did Eternity contrive to make
The Truth so fair for all our sake
That being Truth, and fair and easy too,
While it on all doth shine,
We might by it become divine
Being led to woo
The thing we view,
And as chaste virgins early with it join,
That with it we might likewise shine.

6

Eternity doth give the richest things
To every man, and makes all kings.
The best and richest things it doth convey
To all, and everyone.
It raised me unto a throne!
Which I enjoy,
In such a way,
That Truth her daughter is my only bride,
Her daughter Truth's my chiefest pride.

7

All mine! And seen so easily! How great, how blest!
How soon am I of all possess'd!
My infancy no sooner opes its eyes,
But straight the spacious earth
Abounds with joy, peace, glory, mirth,
And being wise,
The very skies,
And stars do mine become; being all possess'd
Even in that way that is the best.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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