The Familie
The Uproar Within
The heart's unruly thoughts and fears cry out as if no one were in charge, prompting the speaker to ask what these inner disturbances mean.
What's this noise of thoughts inside my heart, as if they had a share? What are these loud complaints and tugging fears, as if there were no rules or ears?1
A House That Is Yours
The speaker reminds both self and Lord that the soul's house belongs to God, and asks God to expel the quarrelsome thoughts that defile his dwelling.
But, Lord, the house and family are yours, even if some of them grumble. Drive out these quarrelers who defile your dwelling—for where you live, everything is clean and orderly.2
Restoring Order and Obedience
Peace, Silence, Order, and Obedience together transform the wild interior into a well-governed and pleasant dwelling.
First, peace and silence bring every dispute under control; then Order plays upon the soul. And by giving all things their set forms and hours, it turns wild woods into pleasant paths and shaded shelters.3 Humble Obedience stands near the door, waiting for a command: then nothing seems slower while she waits, nothing quicker once she goes.
Silent Tears and a Passing Guest
Though joys and griefs both fill God's house, silent grief speaks more piercingly than noise, and the presence of these graces marks the difference between a fleeting visit and an abiding stay.
Joys are often there, and griefs as often as joys; but the griefs come without a sound. Yet they speak louder than disordered fears.4 What is as piercing as silent tears?5 This is your house, and it's full of all these things. And where these things are absent—well, maybe you come sometimes, for a day—but not to stay for good.
Read the original English
WHat doth this noise of thoughts within my heart As if they had a part? What do these loud complaints and pulling fears, As if there were no rules or eares?
But, Lord, the house and familie are thine, Though some of them repine. Turn out these wranglers, which defile thy seat: For where thou dwellest all is neat.
First Peace and Silence all disputes controll, Then Order plaies the soul; And giving all things their set forms and houres, Makes of wilde woods sweet walks and bowres.
Humble Obedience neare the doore doth stand, Expecting a command: Then whom in waiting nothing seems more slow, Nothing more quick when she doth go.
Joyes oft are there, and griefs as oft as joyes; But griefs without a noise: Yet speak they louder then distemper'd fears. What is so shrill as silent tears?
This is thy house, with these it doth abound: And where these are not found, Perhaps thou com'st sometimes, and for a day; But not to make a constant stay.
Notes
- 1 ↩Early modern 'pulling fears' likely means fears that tug or drag at the soul; rendered as 'tugging fears' rather than peevish/puling.
- 2 ↩Early modern 'neat' means clean, pure, and well-ordered, not merely tidy; rendered as 'clean and orderly' to keep Herbert's household-order sense.
- 3 ↩Herbert's 'plaies the soul' keeps the musical sense of Order playing the soul as an instrument—tuning and directing it—not mere amusement.
- 4 ↩Early modern 'then' is comparative 'than'; 'distemper'd' means disordered/agitated rather than merely ill-tempered.
- 5 ↩'Shrill' kept in sense as high, cutting intensity; rendered 'piercing' for natural contemporary force without losing the paradox of loud silence.
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