The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-12
~HE fruits of a profound crisis in
aE 6a11th ara |

fruitz Of a prefG3unad pres3 aeeth crisis aIe IN
worthy of careful study. Out Of
such crises. either mediately or lmme.
diately, have sprung the richest treas
ures Of art in every form: Especially
is this true Of poetry. tie, therefore, 1
who places before men, as. has not, been
done before. the opportunity of study
ing adequately and sympathetlcally the
crucial fruits of some worthy poet, does
q lasting and noble service. NO char-
acterization less strong fits the service
that Professor George Herbert ialmer me
pairing his three volume variorum edl-
fion of the English works OF George
Herbert under the title The Life and
Works of George Herbert.
Herbert, it is true. was minor poet,
outshone by the splendid lights, OF his
time, yet decidedly unique, and, after
and with much profit by not lnconsldc :
erable circle. He sprang from one or
the "oldest, 'stateliest and most, ex-
tended families in England. Three
earldoms- Carnarvon' :. and
Powis-still remain in the family -
berlain of William the Con!queror. l." The
side Of the house from which the poet
came "was more noted for courage
than for intellect It's members
'swere a race of soldiers, tall, hand
some, black-haired, who lived roughly,
quarreled easily, were sensitive IN mat,
ters of honor, and with a strong hand
dealt out justice over their turbule9t en-
laments that feeble health compelled
him to the scholars life. .
Whereas my birth and spirit ther took
The way that takes the town;
IL. 81 -
Perhaps, adds Professor Palmer, the
literary and artistic tendencies OF
George Herbert were contributed by
the mother, Magdalen Newport, daugh-
ter of one of the largest landed pro
prietors OF, Shropshire, and notable
..'even in that age, prolific in Powe1rfP PoNve1f
s'beauty, piety, intellect, passion, artis- art
tic and literary tastes, business ability,
social charm'' This mother intended
George, the fifth among her ten chill
dren. for the priesthood, an intention IN
which the son acquie2s:ced and at the
Very early, opposing forces began
The inclinations inherited from his
fathers ancient family beckoned to a
life of social and political distinction;
His literary tastes and religious bent
drew him toward religious poesy and
the antithesis in Herbert's nature thus:
"By birth, temperament and many
impelled to life of fashion, enjoy
ment and irresponsible self-cultur:ee
HE took content in beauty, wit
musick and pleasant conversation He
knew the wa Us of learning, honor, ano
pleasure. Easily he answered to the
calls of 'honor, riches and fair eyes.
\ From childhood Herbert knew
himself to be dedicated soul, and in
wardly, even in his most dilatory way
Side by Side with his fashionable
tastes he had veritable genius fol
Out of this strife came the crisi:
which put an end to his dallying ant
bore fruit in those works which have
kept his name alive and which still re
ward the thoughtful student who SEEK
gather strength to meet those, IN nj
own. The man was double-minded, AM
in the struggle of the secular with tn
religious there was splendid materia
for the poet. What came of the con
flict, brought to it's crucial point D.
patrons, of his political ambitions an.
Of his mother, is glimpsed in sue.
stanzas as these from "Affliction',
At Arst thou gavst me milk and sweetnesses
s. had my wish and way.
MY dayes were straw'd with fow'rs and haI
1-% pinesse,
r. There moneth but May.
But with my yeares sorrow did twist and grow
And made partie unawares for wo.
Yet, tho thou troub1est me, I must be meek
In weaknesse must be stout
Well, I will change the service and go seek
Some other master out.
All my deare God! Tho am clean forgot,
Let not love thee If I love thee not
Better known is this, one of severs
foreshadowing the poets death:
Sweet day, so COOL calm, so bright,
The bridal Of the earth and skie;
The dew shall weep thy fall to night,
For thou must die.