The Quip
The Quip
Original Text
George Herbert, The temple. Sacred poems and private ejaculations, edited by N. Ferrar (Cambridge: T. Buck and R. Daniel, 1633). STC 13183. Facs. edn. Menston: Scolar Press, 1968. PR 3507 T45 1633A. Also The Bodleian Manuscript of George Herbert's Poems: A Facsimile of Tanner 307, Introduced by Amy M. Charles and Mario A. Di Cesare. Delmar: Scholars' Facsimiles and Reprints, 1984. PR 3507 T45 1984 Robarts Library.
3To meet together where I lay,
4And all in sport to jeer at me.
5 First Beauty crept into a rose,
6Which when I pluck'd not, "Sir," said she,
7"Tell me, I pray, whose hands are those?"
8But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
9 Then Money came, and chinking still,
10"What tune is this, poor man?" said he;
11"I heard in music you had skill:"
12But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
13 Then came brave Glory puffing by
14In silks that whistled, who but he?
15He scarce allow'd me half an eye:
16But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
17 Then came quick Wit and Conversation,
18And he would needs a comfort be,
19And, to be short, make an oration:
20But Thou shalt answer, Lord, for me.
21 Yet when the hour of Thy design
22To answer these fine things shall come,
23Speak not at large, say, I am Thine;
24And then they have their answer home.
Notes
1] The word "quip" is an abbreviation of "quid pro quo" and means a retort, a sharp reply. Such a reply is made in the last stanza.. Back to Line
2] train-bands: militia. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1633
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
2RP.1.319; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme
Form