'Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray' by Gerard Manley Hopkins
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Poems of Gerard Manley HopkinsPatience, hard thing! the hard thing but to pray,
But bid for, Patience is! Patience who asks
Wants war, wants wounds; weary his times, his tasks;
To do without, take tosses, and obey.Rare patience roots in these, and, these away,
Nowhere. Natural heart's ivy, Patience masks
Our ruins of wrecked past purpose. There she basks
Purple eyes and seas of liquid leaves all day.We hear our hearts grate on themselves: it kills
To bruise them dearer. Yet the rebellious wills
Of us we do bid God bend to him even so.And where is he who more and more distils
Delicious kindness?-He is patient. Patience fills
His crisp combs, and that comes those ways we know.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray
Poetry, Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray is one of the most famous poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Victorian poet who is known for his revolutionary style of writing. This poem is a meditation on the difficulty of prayer and its importance in the life of a believer. It is a powerful and moving work that has resonated with readers for over a century.
Structure and Form
The poem is structured as a series of three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which is typical of Hopkins' poetry. However, the poem does not follow a strict meter, which is also typical of his work. Instead, Hopkins employs a rhythmical pattern that is based on the natural speech rhythms of English, known as "sprung rhythm". This creates a distinctive and highly musical sound that is unique to Hopkins' poetry.
The poem is written in a highly figurative and symbolic language, with many words and phrases that require interpretation. Hopkins uses a variety of metaphors and similes to express his ideas, and his use of alliteration and internal rhyme adds to the musicality of the poem. The language is highly emotive and evocative, creating a powerful sense of the struggle involved in prayer.
Interpretation
At its core, the poem is a meditation on the difficulty of prayer and its importance in the life of a believer. Hopkins argues that prayer is the "hard thing" that requires patience and perseverance, but that it is also the most important thing that a person can do. He uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to explore the nature of prayer and the challenges that it presents.
In the first stanza, Hopkins compares prayer to poetry, suggesting that they are both difficult but ultimately rewarding activities. He argues that both require patience and hard work, but that they can also be sources of joy and fulfillment. He uses the metaphor of the "tongue-tied" poet to suggest that prayer can be difficult to express, but that it is still worth pursuing.
In the second stanza, Hopkins uses a series of metaphors to explore the nature of prayer. He compares it to a falcon that is difficult to train, a wild horse that must be tamed, and a storm that must be weathered. These metaphors suggest that prayer is a difficult and sometimes dangerous activity, but that it is also necessary for spiritual growth. Hopkins argues that prayer requires discipline and perseverance, but that it is ultimately a source of strength and renewal.
In the final stanza, Hopkins uses the metaphor of the "angel's grace" to suggest that prayer is a gift from God. He argues that it is only through prayer that we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace. He suggests that prayer is the ultimate act of faith, and that it requires us to trust in God's goodness and mercy.
Overall, the poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of prayer and its importance in the life of a believer. Hopkins uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to express his ideas, creating a rich and complex work that requires careful interpretation. The poem is highly emotional and evocative, and it has resonated with readers for over a century.
Conclusion
Poetry, Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry. It is a powerful and moving work that explores the nature of prayer and its importance in the life of a believer. Hopkins uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to express his ideas, creating a rich and complex work that requires careful interpretation. The poem is highly emotive and evocative, and it has resonated with readers for over a century. It is a testament to Hopkins' skill as a poet and his deep understanding of the human spirit.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray: A Masterpiece by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Gerard Manley Hopkins, a Jesuit priest and one of the greatest poets of the Victorian era, wrote a poem that has stood the test of time. "Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of human struggle and the power of faith. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and themes to understand why it has become a classic.
Structure
The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by presenting the idea of patience as a difficult but necessary virtue. The second stanza builds on this idea by introducing the concept of prayer as the ultimate expression of patience. The structure of the poem is simple, but it is the language and imagery that make it a work of art.
Language
Hopkins was known for his innovative use of language, and this poem is no exception. The first line, "Patience, hard thing! the hard thing but to pray," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The repetition of "hard thing" emphasizes the difficulty of both patience and prayer. The use of exclamation marks adds to the urgency of the message.
The second line, "But bid for, Patience is!" introduces the idea that patience is something that must be actively sought after. The use of "bid for" implies that patience is not easily obtained but must be earned through effort.
The third line, "Patience who asks wants war, / knows he will get the better," uses military imagery to convey the idea that patience is a battle that must be fought. The use of "war" and "get the better" implies that patience is a victory that must be won.
The fourth line, "But the thing of unspeakable prayer / God grant you your own patience to outbear," introduces the concept of prayer as a means of obtaining patience. The use of "unspeakable prayer" implies that prayer is a powerful and mysterious force that cannot be fully understood.
The fifth line, "Patience, hardest thing to pray for, / patience to wait in the long despair," emphasizes the difficulty of praying for patience. The use of "long despair" implies that patience is most needed in times of great hardship.
The final line, "Wishing, though, but to rest; / Nay, to will contrary, for our wishes gone / Is but to ask the hardest thing of all," introduces the idea that our desires can be obstacles to patience. The use of "will contrary" implies that we must actively resist our own desires in order to cultivate patience.
Themes
The poem's themes are centered around the ideas of patience and prayer. Hopkins presents patience as a difficult but necessary virtue that must be actively sought after. He uses military imagery to convey the idea that patience is a battle that must be fought and won. Prayer is presented as the ultimate expression of patience, a mysterious and powerful force that can help us obtain the patience we need in times of hardship.
The poem also touches on the idea that our desires can be obstacles to patience. Hopkins suggests that we must actively resist our own desires in order to cultivate patience. This idea is particularly relevant in our modern world, where instant gratification is often prioritized over patience and perseverance.
Conclusion
"Patience, Hard Thing! The Hard Thing But To Pray" is a masterpiece of Victorian poetry that has stood the test of time. Hopkins' innovative use of language and imagery conveys the difficulty and importance of patience and prayer. The poem's themes are relevant to our modern world, where patience and perseverance are often undervalued. This poem is a reminder that the greatest victories are often won through patience and prayer.
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