Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HABIT OF PERFECTION, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HABIT OF PERFECTION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Elected silence, sing to me
Last Line: Your spouse not laboured-at nor spun.
Subject(s): Bible; Clergy; Religion; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops; Theology


ELECTED Silence, sing to me
And beat upon my whorled ear,
Pipe me to pastures still and be
The music that I care to hear.

Shape nothing, lips; be lovely-dumb:
It is the shut, the curfew sent
From there where all surrenders come
Which only makes you eloquent.

Be shelled, eyes, with double dark
And find the uncreated light:
This ruck and reel which you remark
Coils, keeps, and teases simple sight.

Palate, the hutch of tasty lust,
Desire not to be rinsed with wine:
The can must be so sweet, the crust
So fresh that come in fasts divine!

Nostrils, your careless breath that spend
Upon the stir and keep of pride,
What relish shall the censers send
Along the sanctuary side!

O feel-of-primrose hands, O feet
That want the yield of plushy sward,
But you shall walk the golden street
And you unhouse and house the Lord.

And, Poverty, be thou the bride
And now the marriage feast begun,
And lily-coloured clothes provide
Your spouse not laboured-at nor spun.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net