George Herbert (1593-1633) remains one of the most admired metaphysical poets in the English language. Born into a prominent Welsh family, Herbert received an excellent education at Westminster School and Cambridge University. Though he initially pursued a secular career, including a brief stint in Parliament, he ultimately dedicated his life to the church, becoming rector of a small parish near Salisbury in 1629. His deep religious devotion and intellectual rigor are powerfully captured in his poetry, collected in The Temple, published shortly after his death in 1633. This collection offers intricate explorations of faith, doubt, and the relationship between the human soul and the divine. Among its most celebrated pieces is “Easter Wings,” a poem renowned for its unique visual form that directly embodies its spiritual theme.
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The Pattern of Devotion: Form and Content in “Easter Wings”
“Easter Wings” is a prime example of a pattern poem, or shaped verse, where the lines are arranged on the page to create a visual image related to the poem’s subject matter. In this case, the two stanzas are traditionally printed sideways, resembling pairs of wings. This striking visual element is not mere decoration; it is integral to the poem’s meaning, illustrating the journey of spiritual ascent and the struggle between decay and flight. The decreasing and increasing line lengths within each stanza mirror the theological narrative of humanity’s fall and subsequent potential for rising through divine grace, specifically associated with the resurrection celebrated on Easter.
Here is the text of the poem:
Easter Wings
Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:
With thee
O let me rise
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.
My tender age in sorrow did beginne;
And still with sicknesses and shame.
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.
With thee
Let me combine,
And feel this day thy victorie:
For, if I imp my wing on thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.
George Herbert's poem Easter Wings shaped like two pairs of wings
The poem is structured as a prayer, moving between confession, petition, and praise. Each stanza begins with a descent, visually represented by the shortening lines, depicting a state of loss and decay – first, the universal fall of man (stanza 1), and then the poet’s personal experience of sorrow, sickness, and shame (stanza 2). The midpoint of each stanza, the shortest line, marks a nadir (“Most poore,” “Most thinne”). However, this is the pivot point where the invocation “With thee” introduces the possibility of reversal and restoration. The lines then lengthen, mirroring the ascent and the hope of rising (“O let me rise,” “Let me combine”) and experiencing God’s “victories.”
The Narrative of Fall and Ascent: Stanza by Stanza
The first stanza recounts the creation of humanity in a state of abundance (“wealth and store”), which was subsequently squandered (“foolishly he lost the same”). This original sin led to a continuous decline, making man “Most poore.” The shape of the stanza emphasizes this process of “Decaying more and more.” The speaker then turns to God (“With thee”), expressing the desire to rise like larks and sing of God’s triumphs, implying that through divine intervention, the fall itself can become an impetus for a greater, divinely-assisted “flight.” This introduces the concept of the “fortunate fall” – the idea that humanity’s fallen state necessitates God’s grace, potentially leading to a higher spiritual condition than the unfallen state.
The second stanza shifts to a more personal confession. Herbert describes his own life beginning “in sorrow,” marked by “sicknesses and shame,” feeling punished by God for sin to the point of becoming “Most thinne.” This personal frailty mirrors the universal state of fallen humanity. Again, the turning point arrives with “With thee,” as the speaker seeks to “combine” with God. The striking image “if I imp my wing on thine” uses a falconry term for grafting new feathers onto a damaged wing, vividly illustrating the poet’s dependence on God’s power to mend his brokenness and enable his spiritual flight. Through this union, “Affliction shall advance the flight in me,” suggesting that personal suffering, when combined with divine aid, can paradoxically propel the soul upward.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Shaped Verse
“Easter Wings” is a profound meditation on sin, suffering, grace, and resurrection, perfectly integrating its theological themes with its unique visual form. The poem’s shape is not a mere novelty but a crucial element that reinforces the central message of spiritual decay and ascent through union with the divine. Herbert’s intricate craftsmanship, his use of evocative imagery, and his sincere expression of personal faith make “Easter Wings” a lasting testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest human and spiritual experiences. It continues to engage readers, prompting contemplation on the nature of affliction, grace, and the hope symbolized by the resurrection.