Joseph's Coat

George Herbert 1593 (Montgomery) – 1633 (Bemerton)



Wounded I sing, tormented I indite,
Thrown down I fall into a bed, and rest:
Sorrow hath chang'd its note: such is his will
Who changeth all things, as him pleaseth best.
For well he knows, if but one grief and smart
Among my many had his full career,
Sure it would carry with it ev'n my heart,
And both would run until they found a bier
To fetch the body; both being due to grief.
But he hath spoil'd the race; and giv'n to anguish
One of Joy's coats, 'ticing it with relief
To linger in me, and together languish.
I live to shew his power, who once did bring
My joys to weep, and now my griefs to sing.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on April 25, 2023

38 sec read
175

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCBDEDFGHGHII
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 612
Words 123
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

George Herbert

The Very Reverend Honourable George Herbert was an Anglican priest. more…

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