Virtue by George Herbert

 Virtue by George Herbert

George Herbert’s poem Virtue is a classic metaphysical poem that explores the theme of transience and permanence. It is part of his collection The Temple (1633) and reflects Herbert’s deep religious faith. The poem contrasts the fleeting nature of earthly beauty with the eternal nature of virtue and the soul, emphasizing Christian ideals of morality and spirituality.

Summary of the Poem

The poem consists of four quatrains (four-line stanzas) with an ABAB rhyme scheme. Each stanza presents a beautiful yet perishable element of nature—a sweet day, a sweet rose, and a spring—and concludes with the inevitable reality of death. However, the final stanza contrasts this transience with the permanence of a virtuous soul.

Stanza-wise Explanation and Analysis

First Stanza: The Transience of the Day

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky:
The dew shall weep thy fall to-night;
For thou must die.

Herbert describes a beautiful day, characterized by its coolness, calmness, and brightness. The phrase “bridal of the earth and sky” suggests a perfect harmony, as if the day is a moment of sacred union between the heavens and the earth. However, despite its beauty, the day is not eternal—it will fade into night. The dew “weeping” personifies nature mourning the loss of the day, reinforcing the inevitability of death. The refrain “For thou must die” establishes the theme of impermanence.

Second Stanza: The Fleeting Beauty of the Rose

Sweet rose, whose hue angry and brave
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,
Thy root is ever in its grave,
And thou must die.

The second stanza shifts focus to a sweet rose, symbolizing natural beauty and passion. The phrase “angry and brave” suggests the rose’s striking color, which captivates and overwhelms the observer (“Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye”). However, despite its vibrant appearance, the rose is already destined to perish because its root is buried in the grave—a reminder that death is inherent in all living things. Again, the refrain “And thou must die” reinforces the inevitability of mortality.

Third Stanza: The Passing of Spring

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie;
My music shows ye have your closes,
And all must die.

Spring, often associated with renewal and youth, is compared to “a box where sweets compacted lie”, suggesting an abundance of beauty and joy. However, just like a piece of music that must eventually end (“My music shows ye have your closes”), spring is not eternal. The phrase “And all must die” broadens the idea of transience from individual things (day and rose) to an entire season, reinforcing the universal nature of decay.

Fourth Stanza: The Immortality of Virtue

Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like seasoned timber, never gives;
But though the whole world turn to coal,
Then chiefly lives.

In contrast to the fleeting natural beauty described in previous stanzas, this final stanza presents virtue as eternal. A “sweet and virtuous soul” is compared to seasoned timber, which does not decay easily but instead grows stronger with time. This metaphor suggests that spiritual purity and moral goodness endure beyond death. The last two lines provide an apocalyptic image—“though the whole world turn to coal”, symbolizing destruction and the end of time—yet virtue continues to exist. The word “chiefly” implies that in the face of total annihilation, virtue becomes even more significant.

Themes in Virtue

1. The Transience of Worldly Beauty

Herbert repeatedly emphasizes that all physical things—whether a day, a rose, or an entire season—are temporary. No matter how beautiful or powerful they seem, they are ultimately subject to decay and death.

2. The Permanence of Virtue and the Soul

While everything in nature fades, a virtuous soul is eternal. The final stanza presents Christian morality as a path to immortality, aligning with Herbert’s religious faith.

3. The Symbolism of Death and Renewal

The cycle of life and death is a key motif. The rose, the day, and spring all symbolize life’s beauty, but their inevitable demise reminds readers of human mortality. However, virtue is depicted as the only form of true renewal, leading to eternal life.

4. Religious and Christian Ideals

The poem reflects Christian beliefs in the immortality of the soul and the importance of righteousness. The imagery of decay versus endurance aligns with Christian teachings about the temporary nature of worldly pleasures and the eternal reward for a virtuous life.

Literary Devices in Virtue

1. Personification

• “The dew shall weep thy fall to-night” – The dew is personified as mourning the loss of the day.
• “My music shows ye have your closes” – Music is given the ability to demonstrate an ending.

2. Metaphor

• “The bridal of the earth and sky” – The day is compared to a wedding, symbolizing harmony.
• “A box where sweets compacted lie” – Spring is metaphorically a treasure chest filled with beauty.
• “Like seasoned timber, never gives” – A virtuous soul is compared to durable wood, symbolizing resilience.

3. Contrast (Juxtaposition)

Each stanza contrasts temporary beauty with ultimate decay, leading to the final contrast:

• Natural beauty (which perishes) vs. Virtue (which is eternal).

4. Refrain

• “For thou must die” / “And thou must die” / “And all must die” – This repetition reinforces the theme of inevitable mortality.

5. Imagery

• The poem is filled with sensory images—the brightness of the day, the red color of the rose, the freshness of spring, and finally, the image of a world turning into coal, enhancing the emotional and philosophical depth of the poem.

Conclusion

George Herbert’s Virtue is a profound meditation on the fleeting nature of earthly beauty and the enduring power of moral goodness. Through rich metaphors, religious symbolism, and a structured contrast between perishable elements of nature and the immortal soul, Herbert conveys a deeply spiritual message. The poem serves as both a memento mori (reminder of death) and a reassurance that virtue offers eternal life, aligning with Christian philosophy. Its elegant simplicity and universal themes continue to resonate, making it a timeless work of metaphysical poetry.