Religion
Jordan.
WHo sayes that fictions onely and false hair
Become a verse? Is there in truth no beauti…
Is all good structure in a winding stair?
May no lines passe, except they do their dutie
Not to a true, but painted chair?
Is it no verse, except enchanted groves
And sudden arbours shadow course-spunne lines?
Must purling streams refresh a lovers loves?
Must all be vail'd, while he that reades, divines,
Catching the sense at two removes?
Shepherds are honest people; let them sing:
Riddle who list, for me, and pull for Prime:
I envie no mans nightingale or spring;
Nor let them punish me with losse of ryme,
Who plainly say, My God, My King.
Cite this poem
MLA
Herbert, George. “Jordan.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/28/.
Chicago
Herbert, George. “Jordan.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/28/.
Read this poem with the Codex →