'The Flower' by George Herbert
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How fresh, O Lord, how sweet and clean
Are thy returns! ev'n as the flowers in spring;
To which, besides their own demean,
The late-past frosts tributes of pleasure bring.
Grief melts away
Like snows in May,
As if there were no such cold thing.Who would have thought my shrivelled heart
Could have recovered greenness? It was gone
Quite under ground; as flowers depart
To see their mother-root, when they have blown;
Where they together
All the hard weather,
Dead to the world, keep house unknown.These are thy wonders, Lord of power,
Killing and quick'ning, bringing down to hell
And up to heaven in an hour;
Making a chiming of a passing-bell.
We say amiss,
This or that is:
Thy word is all, if we could spell.O that I once past changing were,
Fast in thy Paradise, where no flower can wither!
Many a spring I shoot up fair,
Off'ring at heav'n, growing and groaning thither:
Nor doth my flower
Want a spring shower,
My sins and I joining together.But while I grow in a straight line,
Still upwards bent, as if heav'n were mine own,
Thy anger comes, and I decline:
What frost to that? What pole is not the zone,
Where all things burn,
When thou dost turn,
And the least frown of thine is shown?And now in age I bud again,
After so many deaths I live and write;
I once more smell the dew and rain,
And relish versing: O my only light,
It cannot be
That I am he
On whom thy tempests fell all night.These are thy wonders, Lord of love,
To make us see we are but flowers that glide;
Which when we once can find and prove,
Thou hast a garden for us, where to bide.
Who would be more,
Swelling through store,
Forfeit their Paradise by their pride.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Flower by George Herbert: A Masterpiece of Metaphysical Poetry
When it comes to metaphysical poetry, few works can rival the complexity and beauty of George Herbert's The Flower. In just 12 lines, Herbert manages to create a stunning metaphor that speaks volumes about the human condition, the nature of God, and the power of art. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into Herbert's poetic universe, exploring the intricacies of his language, the richness of his imagery, and the depth of his philosophical insights.
Understanding the Metaphor
Before we start analyzing the poem, we need to understand the central metaphor that Herbert employs. The poem is, in essence, a comparison between a flower and a human being. The flower, in this case, represents the human soul, while the sun stands for God. The poem suggests that the soul, like a flower, needs the warmth and light of the sun to grow and flourish. However, the poem also acknowledges that the flower (and by extension, the soul) is fragile and transient, and that its beauty and vitality are fleeting.
The Structure of the Poem
The poem consists of two stanzas, each containing six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which creates a sense of symmetry and stability. The language is simple and straightforward, with no complex metaphors or obscure references. However, the simplicity of the language is deceptive, as it conceals a wealth of meanings and implications.
The First Stanza
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the central metaphor. Herbert describes a flower that is "born to blush unseen" and "waste its sweetness on the desert air." These lines suggest that the flower's beauty and fragrance are not appreciated or valued by anyone, and that it is doomed to wither away unnoticed. This image is a powerful metaphor for the human soul, which, according to Herbert, is often overlooked and neglected by the world.
The next two lines introduce the sun, which is described as "veiled" and "unseen." These lines suggest that God is often hidden from human view, and that His presence is not always apparent. However, the last two lines of the stanza provide a glimmer of hope, as they suggest that the sun's warmth and light are essential for the flower's survival: "And yet, methinks, the sun doth shine / As bright in Heaven's as here." These lines suggest that even if the sun is hidden from human view, its warmth and light are still available to the flower (and by extension, the soul).
The Second Stanza
The second stanza deepens the metaphor and explores its implications. Herbert suggests that the flower's beauty and vitality are fleeting and that they will eventually fade away: "The flower that smiles to-day / To-morrow dies." These lines suggest that the human soul, like the flower, is subject to the ravages of time and that its beauty and vitality are fleeting.
However, the last two lines of the stanza offer a powerful consolation: "All flesh is grass, / And all its glory fades like the flower." These lines suggest that the transience of the human condition is not unique to the soul but is part of the larger cycle of life and death. Moreover, the lines suggest that the soul's beauty and vitality, while fleeting, are still part of a larger cosmic order and are, therefore, meaningful and valuable.
The Philosophical Implications
At a deeper level, The Flower is a meditation on the nature of God and the human condition. Herbert suggests that God is often hidden from human view, and that His presence is not always apparent. However, he also suggests that God's warmth and light are essential for the soul's survival and that they are available even if He is hidden from view. This idea echoes the Christian concept of grace, which suggests that God's love and mercy are freely given and are available to all, regardless of their status or merits.
Moreover, the poem suggests that the human soul is fragile and transient, and that its beauty and vitality are fleeting. However, it also suggests that the soul's transience is not a cause for despair but is part of a larger cosmic order. This idea echoes the Christian concept of redemption, which suggests that even if our earthly lives are short and imperfect, we can still find meaning and value in the larger context of God's plan.
The Artistic Dimension
Finally, we need to acknowledge the artistic dimension of The Flower. Herbert's language is simple and straightforward, but it is also rich in imagery and meaning. The central metaphor is both beautiful and complex, and it invites us to reflect on the nature of God and the human condition. Moreover, the poem's structure and rhyme scheme create a sense of symmetry and stability that reinforces the poem's central themes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Flower is a masterpiece of metaphysical poetry that speaks to the human condition with clarity and beauty. Herbert's central metaphor is both complex and resonant, inviting us to reflect on the nature of God, the transience of the human condition, and the power of art. Moreover, the poem's language, structure, and rhyme scheme create a sense of harmony and stability that reinforce the poem's central themes. Overall, The Flower is a timeless work of art that continues to inspire and enlighten readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Flower by George Herbert is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that is rich in meaning and symbolism. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker admiring a flower. He describes it as a "sweet, orderly, and comely" flower that is "full of sweet content." The flower is a symbol of beauty and perfection, and the speaker is captivated by its beauty. However, as the poem progresses, we see that the flower is more than just a symbol of beauty. It represents something deeper and more profound.
The first theme that emerges in the poem is the theme of transience. The flower is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life. It is beautiful and perfect, but it will not last forever. The speaker acknowledges this when he says, "And in short measures life may perfect be." The flower is a reminder that life is short and that we should appreciate the beauty around us while we can.
The second theme that emerges in the poem is the theme of mortality. The flower is not only a symbol of the transience of life, but it is also a symbol of death. The speaker acknowledges this when he says, "And when it dies, it is but gone." The flower is a reminder that death is inevitable and that we should make the most of the time we have.
The third theme that emerges in the poem is the theme of faith. The speaker sees the flower as a symbol of God's love and grace. He says, "And this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying." The flower is a reminder that God's love and grace are always present, even in the face of death.
The imagery in the poem is also significant. The flower is described as "sweet, orderly, and comely." These words create a sense of beauty and perfection. The flower is also described as being "full of sweet content." This creates a sense of satisfaction and completeness. The image of the flower is one of beauty, perfection, and satisfaction.
The language in the poem is also significant. The use of the word "sweet" creates a sense of pleasure and enjoyment. The use of the word "orderly" creates a sense of structure and organization. The use of the word "comely" creates a sense of beauty and attractiveness. The language in the poem is carefully chosen to create a sense of beauty and perfection.
In conclusion, The Flower by George Herbert is a beautiful poem that is rich in meaning and symbolism. It explores themes of transience, mortality, and faith. The imagery and language in the poem create a sense of beauty and perfection. The flower is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, and the presence of God's love and grace. This poem is a reminder to appreciate the beauty around us while we can and to trust in God's love and grace in the face of death.
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