George Herbert: 100 Poems

by George Herbert, Helen Wilcox (Editor)

George Herbert (1593-1633) is widely regarded as the greatest devotional poet in the English language. His profound influence can be seen in the lasting popularity of his verse. This selection of one hundred lyric poems by Herbert is designed for readers to enjoy the beauty, spirituality, accessibility and humanity of his best verse. Each poem uses the authoritative text from the acclaimed Cambridge edition of Herbert's poems, presenting them in their original spelling in a clear and elegant format. The selection includes such well-loved lyric verses as 'Love bade me welcome', 'Let all the world in ev'ry corner sing', 'I struck the board and cry'd, No more' and 'Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright'. A preface by Helen Wilcox, editor of the Cambridge edition, celebrates the key features of Herbert's poetry for a new generation of readers.

ebook

Published May 4, 2016

About the author

George Herbert (1593-1633) was a Welsh-born English poet and orator. Herbert's poetry is associated with the writings of the metaphysical poets, and he is recognized as "a pivotal figure: enormously popular, deeply and broadly influential, and arguably the most skillful and important British devotional lyricist."

Born into an artistic and wealthy family, Herbert received a good education that led to his admission in 1609 as a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, Herbert excelled in languages, rhetoric and music. He went to university with the intention of becoming a priest, but when eventually he became the University's Public Orator he attracted the attention of King James I and may well have seen himself as a future Secretary of State. In 1624 and briefly in 1625 he served in Parliament. Never a healthy man, he died of consumption at the early age of 39.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent edition of Herbert's best known work. The physical size of this collection makes it perfect for slipping into your pocket. And if you are like me, it is always nice to have a book at hand. It also looks smart setting on the self along with your other editions of Herbert, Donne, and the rest of the Metaphysical School.

[Erin With the Classics · Rating 5 out of 5]

As it is rather difficult to find a good reading edition of Herbert's poems nowadays, I was so pleased to find this one. It contains most of "The Temple" sequence, and the author's introduction explains the omissions and tells you some of the ones that are missing. Even with the omissions, it's a lovely book, and the poetry is wonderful, of course, the kind which rewards frequent re-reading and contemplation.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Come, my Way, my Truth, my Life

Yesterday I finished this volume of poems while lying on my hammock during a perfectly beautiful spring day, a fitting setting.

While Herbert's poems are devotional, they are filled with passion and don't shy away from lament or pleading with God to be good and loving.