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The agonie
Christian Century, Nov 16, 2004 by George Herbert
The agonie
Philosophers have measur'd mountains,
Fathom'd the depths of seas, of states, and kings,
Walk'd with a staffe to heav'n, and traced fountains:
But there are two vast, spacious things,
The which to measure it doth more behove:
Yet few there are that sound them; Sinne and Love.
Who would know Sinne, let him repair
Unto Mount Olivet; there shall he see
A man so wrung with pains, that all his hair,
His skinne, his garments bloudie be.
Sinne is that presse and vice, which forceth pain
To hunt his cruell food through ev'ry? vein.
Who knows not Love, let him assay
And taste that juice, which on the crosse a pike
Did set again abroach; when let him say
If ever he did taste the like.
Love in that liquour sweet and most divine,
Which my God feels as bloud; but I, as wine.
From The English Poems of George Herbert, edited by C. A. Patrides (J. M. Dent, 1974).
WHEN GEORGE HERBERT (1593-1633) was near death, he asked that the manuscript later published as The Temple be passed on to his friend Nicholas Ferrar. According to Izaak Walton, Herbert then added these words: "Tell him, he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual Conflicts that have past betwixt God and my Soul, before I could subject mine to the woof of Jesus my Master: in whose service I have now found perfect freedom; desire him to read it; and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor Soul, let it be made publick: if not let him burn it: for I and it, are less than the least of God's mercies." Perhaps for the only time in Western Christian history, the evident quality of a poet's sanctity paralleled the acknowledged quality of his art. This poem, one of the most direct from The Temple, was a revelation when I first read it. Especially at celebrations of the Lord's Supper it indicates for me the path to perfect freedom.
--Mark A. Noll, who in addition to wilting poetry teaches history and Christian thought at Wheaton College in Illinois.
COPYRIGHT 2004 The Christian Century Foundation
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning
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