George Herbert, 1593 – 1633, was a British poet whose work has become increasing significant in the English language poetic. Influenced greatly by the metaphysical conceits of John Donne, Herbert applied the ideas of extended and imaginative metaphors infused with a highly precise language to create musical lyrics—Herbert had a great love and knowledge of music—that were entirely devoted to his Christian beliefs. While politically ambitious as a young man, Herbert fully embraced his faith and became a priest in 1630. Herbert’s poetry was entirely unpublished during his lifetime, though his project for creating a body of lyrics organized around the central metaphor of man’s soul as a “temple” was both deliberate and fully realized before his death. Other lyrics and translations—all of varying authenticity—have surfaced over the years and are included after the full presentation of THE TEMPLE, which is preserved here as much as possible as it was printed in the 17th century keeping with the spelling, grammar, and typesetting of the time. Herbert’s lyrics hold up remarkably well in an era of constant self-examination and are full of a ...

The Pulley When God at first made Man, Having a glasse of blessings standing by; Let us (said he) poure on him all we can: Let the worlds riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span. So strength first made a way; Then beautie flow’d, then wisdome, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone of all his treasure Rest in the bottome lay. For if I should (said he) Bestow this jewell also on my creature, He would adore my gifts in stead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: So both should losers be. Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlesnesse: Let him be rich and wearie, that at least, If goodnesse leade him not, yet wearinesse May tosse him to my breast....

Introduction THE TEMPLE Dedication THE CHURCH-PORCH Perirrhanterium Superliminare THE CHURCH The Altar The Sacrifice The Thanksgiving The Reprisall The Agonie The Sinner Good Friday Redemption Sepulchre Easter Easter-Wings (I) Easter-Wings (II) Holy Baptisme (I) Holy Baptisme (II) Nature Sinne (I) Affliction (I) Repentance Faith Prayer (I) The Holy Communion Antiphon (I) Love (I) Love (II) The Temper (I) The Temper (II) Jordan (I) Employment (I) The Holy Scriptures (I) The Holy Scriptures (II) Whitsunday Grace Praise (I) Affliction (II) Mattens Sinne (II) Even-Song (I) Church-Monuments Church-Musick Church-Lock and Key The Church-Floore The Windows Trinitie-Sunday Content The Quidditie Humilitie Frailtie Constancie Affliction (III) The Starre Sunday Avarice Ana- {MARY/ARMY} -gram To All Angels and Saints Employment (II) Deniall Christmas Ungratefulnesse Sighs and Grones The World Colossians 3:3 - Our Life Is Hid with Christ in God... Vanitie (I) Lent Vertue The Pearl - Matthew 13 Affliction (IV) Man Antiphon (II) Unkindnesse Life Submission Justice (I) Ch...