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Photo of George Herbert

Herbert, George

George Herbert was a Welsh poet, orator and Anglican priest. Being born into an artistic and wealthy family, he received a good education which led to his holding prominent positions at Cambridge University and Parliament. As a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, George Herbert excelled in languages and music. He went to college with the intention of becoming a priest, but his scholarship attracted the attention of King James I/VI. Herbert served in parliament for two years. public orator and poet

Email Poem - A DialogueEmail Poem

A Dialogue

 Man. SWEETEST Saviour, if my soul 
 Were but worth the having, 
Quickly should I then control 
 Any thought of waving. 
But when all my care and pains 
Cannot give the name of gains 
To Thy wretch so full of stains, 
What delight or hope remains? 

Saviour. What, child, is the balance thine, 
 Thine the poise and measure? 
If I say, 'Thou shalt be Mine,' 
 Finger not My treasure. 
What the gains in having thee 
Do amount to, only He 
Who for man was sold can see; 
That transferr'd th' accounts to Me. 

Man. But as I can see no merit 
 Leading to this favour, 
So the way to fit me for it 
 Is beyond my savour. 
As the reason, then, is Thine, 
So the way is none of mine; 
I disclaim the whole design; 
Sin disclaims and I resign. 

Saviour. That is all: if that I could 
 Get without repining; 
And My clay, My creature, would 
 Follow My resigning; 
That as I did freely part 
With My glory and desert, 
Left all joys to feel all smart---- 

Man. Ah, no more! Thou break'st my heart!



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