Herbert vs. Donne

If my previous entry was about Donne, one of the most popular metaphysical poets, today I´ll be writing a few lines about George Herbert, an Anglican priest whose verses have always been related to the same type of poetry. 

Even though both poets use similar features such as an ingenious use of metaphysical conceits and constant references to the soul and to the body, perhaps one of the most interesting differences between Donne and Herbert is the way they write about love. Donne´s direct references to tangible love and sex contrast with the psychological and metaphysical analysis Herbert does about the same issue. 

In the poem below, the love between God and us is depicted as a heavenly feast in which humans are invited to eat, as in the Holy Communion.More to the point, such love is personified in God, who is defined in the Bible as "love" (1 John 4:8) and who seems to be  the "guest" in Herbert´s poem.

               Love III
            by George Herbert (1593-1633)

Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,

Guiltie of dust and sinne.

But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack

From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

If I lack’d any thing.

A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here

Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,

I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame

Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?

My deare, then I will serve.

You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:

So I did sit and eat.