George Herbert's Double Sonnet

This poem George Herbert wrote at the age of sixteen years. Thoughh it is somewhat immature for the later great poet, and some of the expressions are a bit crude. I find it remarkably moving. The vital power of his later work is already here.

The problem he laments (that most poems in his day were written to mistresses and lovers while God was neglected in what he considered a divine art) is not exactly our own.

Our characteristic transgression is that we think of poems as a form for "self-expression" which most so-called poets seem to understand as the cue to splatter their spiritual guts all over the canvas of our minds. Or to be plainer, most poets sit around talking about themselves in a most immodest manner.

God, however, is still neglected in reality (though in appearance he recieves a fair amount of effort.)

As it is, this double sonnet is still potent because the most important parts still ring true: Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty...

I would love to be able to offer such a speech to God.

Double Sonnet

by George Herbert

My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee,
Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn,
Besides their other flames? Doth poetry
Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn?
Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays
Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love
Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise
As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove
Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight?
Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the same,
Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name?
Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might
Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose
Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse?

Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry
Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did
Cover the Earth, so doth thy Majesty:
Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid
Poets to turn it to another use.
Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make
A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse
Why should I women's eyes for crystal take?
Such poor invention burns in their low mind
Whose fire is wild, and doth not upward go
To praise, and on thee, Lord, some ink bestow.
Open the bones, and you shall nothing find
In the best face but filth; when Lord, in thee
The beauty lies in the discovery.