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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

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Denial

 When my devotions could not pierce 
Thy silent ears; 
Then was my heart broken, as was my verse: 
My breast was full of fears 
And disorder: 

My bent thoughts, like a brittle bow, 
Did fly asunder: 
Each took his way; some would to pleasures go, 
Some to the wars and thunder 
Of alarms. 

As good go any where, they say, 
As to benumb 
Both knees and heart, in crying night and day, 
Come, come, my God, O come, 
But no hearing. 

O that thou shouldst give dust a tongue 
To cry to thee, 
And then not hear it crying! all day long 
My heart was in my knee, 
But no hearing. 

Therefore my soul lay out of sight, 
Untuned, unstrung: 
My feeble spirit, unable to look right, 
Like a nipped blossom, hung 
Discontented. 

O cheer and tune my heartless breast, 
Defer no time; 
That so thy favors granting my request, 
They and my mind may chime, 
And mend my rime.



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