'HIS LITANY, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT' by Robert Herrick
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In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart, and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the artless doctor sees
No one hope, but of his fees,
And his skill runs on the lees,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When his potion and his pill,
Has, or none, or little skill,
Meet for nothing but to kill,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the passing-bell doth toll,
And the furies in a shoal
Come to fright a parting soul,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the tapers now burn blue,
And the comforters are few,
And that number more than true,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the priest his last hath pray'd,
And I nod to what is said,
'Cause my speech is now decay'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When, God knows, I'm tost about
Either with despair, or doubt;
Yet, before the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the tempter me pursu'th
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the flames and hellish cries
Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors me surprise,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
When the Judgment is reveal'd,
And that open'd which was seal'd;
When to Thee I have appeal'd,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
Editor 1 Interpretation
HIS LITANY, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick was an English poet and cleric of the seventeenth century who is known for his poems on love, nature, and spirituality. His works are characterized by their simplicity, wit, and emotional depth. One of his most famous poems is "His Litany, to the Holy Spirit." This poem is a prayer that invokes the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the poet.
The Holy Spirit as the Comforter
The poem begins with a plea to the Holy Spirit to come and be the comforter of the poet. The speaker asks the Spirit to come and bring peace to his soul, which is troubled by the chaos and confusion of the world. The Holy Spirit is portrayed as a source of consolation and solace, someone who can ease the pain and suffering of the poet.
The poet asks the Holy Spirit to "calm my troubled breast" (line 2) and to "soothe my wearied mind" (line 4). The repetition of the word "my" emphasizes the personal nature of the poet's plea, and the use of the words "troubled" and "wearied" conveys the depth of his emotional turmoil. The Holy Spirit, therefore, is seen as a divine presence that can provide comfort and healing to the human soul.
The Holy Spirit as the Guide
The second part of the poem shifts its focus from the Holy Spirit as the comforter to the Spirit as the guide. The speaker asks the Spirit to "lead me in the paths of right" (line 6) and to "guide me with thy blessed light" (line 7). The Holy Spirit is portrayed as a source of guidance and direction, someone who can show the poet the way to live a righteous life.
The use of the word "paths" emphasizes the idea that there are multiple ways to live life, and the poet seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit to choose the right one. The words "right" and "blessed" convey the idea that the poet believes that following the guidance of the Holy Spirit will lead to a life of goodness and happiness.
The Holy Spirit as the Teacher
The third part of the poem portrays the Holy Spirit as a teacher. The speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "teach me to know the Father, Son" (line 9) and to "teach me the measure of my days" (line 10). The Holy Spirit is seen as a source of knowledge and wisdom, someone who can reveal the truth about God and human existence to the poet.
The use of the word "know" emphasizes the idea that the poet seeks not just information but understanding. The poet wants to have a deeper understanding of the nature of God and the purpose of human life. The phrase "measure of my days" emphasizes the idea that human life is limited and that the poet seeks to understand the meaning and purpose of his existence before it is too late.
The Holy Spirit as the Sanctifier
The final part of the poem portrays the Holy Spirit as the sanctifier. The speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "sanctify my heart and mind" (line 12) and to "make me pure and undefiled" (line 14). The Holy Spirit is seen as a source of spiritual purity and holiness, someone who can cleanse the poet's heart and mind from sin and impurity.
The repetition of the word "sanctify" emphasizes the importance of spiritual purity in the life of the poet. The words "pure" and "undefiled" convey the idea that the poet seeks not just external cleanliness but internal purity of heart and mind.
Conclusion
"His Litany, to the Holy Spirit" is a powerful poem that invokes the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the poet. The poem portrays the Holy Spirit as the comforter, guide, teacher, and sanctifier. The poet seeks the help of the Holy Spirit to find peace, guidance, knowledge, and spiritual purity.
The poem is characterized by its simplicity, sincerity, and emotional depth. The use of repetition, metaphor, and imagery creates a powerful sense of spiritual longing and desire. The poem is a masterpiece of Robert Herrick's poetry and a testament to his deep spiritual insight and poetic genius.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
HIS LITANY, TO THE HOLY SPIRIT: A Masterpiece of Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick, a 17th-century English poet, is known for his lyrical and pastoral poetry. His works are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and religious themes. One of his most famous poems is "His Litany, to the Holy Spirit," a beautiful prayer that captures the essence of the Holy Spirit and its role in the Christian faith. In this analysis, we will explore the poem's structure, language, and themes, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.
Structure
The poem is structured as a litany, a form of prayer that involves a series of petitions and responses. The speaker addresses the Holy Spirit directly, asking for its guidance and blessings. The poem consists of 10 stanzas, each containing four lines. The first three lines of each stanza are the petitions, while the fourth line is the response. The repetition of the same structure throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and unity, emphasizing the importance of each petition.
Language
The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful. The speaker uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the Holy Spirit and its attributes. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker refers to the Holy Spirit as the "heavenly dove," a symbol of peace and purity. In the second stanza, the Holy Spirit is described as the "comforter," a source of solace and support. The use of such metaphors adds depth and richness to the poem, making it more than just a simple prayer.
Themes
The poem's themes revolve around the Holy Spirit and its role in the Christian faith. The speaker asks for the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection, and blessings, acknowledging its importance in their spiritual journey. The poem also emphasizes the Holy Spirit's attributes, such as its wisdom, love, and power. The speaker recognizes that without the Holy Spirit, they are lost and helpless, and therefore, they seek its presence in their lives.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the Holy Spirit as the "heavenly dove," a symbol of peace and purity. The speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "come down" and "shine" upon them, indicating their desire for its presence and guidance. The use of the word "shine" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of light, illuminating the speaker's path and dispelling darkness.
In the second stanza, the speaker refers to the Holy Spirit as the "comforter," a source of solace and support. The speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "breathe" upon them, indicating their desire for its life-giving power. The use of the word "breathe" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of vitality, renewing and refreshing the speaker's spirit.
In the third stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "kindle" their "cold hearts," indicating their desire for its warmth and passion. The use of the word "kindle" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of fire, igniting the speaker's soul and inspiring them to action.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "give" them its "holy light," indicating their desire for its wisdom and knowledge. The use of the word "give" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of generosity, bestowing its gifts upon the speaker freely and abundantly.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "give" them its "love divine," indicating their desire for its compassion and mercy. The use of the word "divine" suggests that the Holy Spirit's love is not of this world, but rather, transcends it.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "keep" them "in the way," indicating their desire for its protection and guidance. The use of the word "keep" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of security, guarding the speaker from harm and leading them towards their destination.
In the seventh stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "raise" them "from death," indicating their belief in its power to overcome even the greatest of obstacles. The use of the word "raise" suggests that the Holy Spirit is a source of resurrection, bringing the speaker back to life and renewing their spirit.
In the eighth stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "pour" its "gifts" upon them, indicating their desire for its blessings and grace. The use of the word "pour" suggests that the Holy Spirit's gifts are abundant and overflowing, filling the speaker's cup to the brim.
In the ninth stanza, the speaker asks the Holy Spirit to "grant" them its "peace," indicating their desire for its tranquility and serenity. The use of the word "grant" suggests that the Holy Spirit's peace is not something that can be earned or achieved, but rather, something that is given freely and unconditionally.
In the final stanza, the speaker acknowledges the Holy Spirit's power and majesty, referring to it as the "eternal Three in One." The use of the word "eternal" suggests that the Holy Spirit is timeless and everlasting, existing before time and beyond it. The use of the phrase "Three in One" refers to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which states that God is one being in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
"His Litany, to the Holy Spirit" is a masterpiece of Robert Herrick, a beautiful prayer that captures the essence of the Holy Spirit and its role in the Christian faith. The poem's structure, language, and themes all contribute to its overall meaning, emphasizing the importance of the Holy Spirit's guidance, protection, and blessings. The poem's simplicity and directness make it accessible to all, while its vivid imagery and metaphors add depth and richness to its message. Overall, "His Litany, to the Holy Spirit" is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and uplift readers today.
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