Josephs coat
Joy's Coat for Sorrow
The poet describes how God tempers overwhelming grief, clothing it with joy so that sorrow itself becomes a song of praise.
Wounded, I sing; tormented, I write. Thrown down, I fall into a bed and rest. Sorrow has changed its note: such is his will who changes all things as best pleases him.✦1 For he well knows that if even one grief and pain among my many had run its full course, it would surely carry even my heart with it, and both would run until they found a bier to fetch the body—both being owed to grief.23 But he has spoiled the race and given anguish one of Joy's coats, enticing it with relief to linger in me and languish together.4 I live to show his power, who once made my joys weep and now makes my griefs sing.
Read the original English
Wounded I sing, tormented I indite, Thrown down I fall into a bed, and rest: Sorrow hath chang'd its note: such is his will, Who changeth all things, as him pleaseth best. For well he knows, if but one grief and smart Among my many had his full career, Sure it would carrie with it ev'n my heart, And both would runne untill they found a biere To fetch the bodie; both being due to grief. But he hath spoil'd the race, and giv'n to anguish One of Joyes coats, ticing it with relief To linger in me, and together languish. I live to shew his power, who once did bring My joyes to weep, and now my griefs to sing.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Dan.2.21 — And it is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
Notes
- 1 ↩Early modern 'indite' means to compose or write (especially verse); rendered as 'write'.
- 2 ↩'Career' here means a full run or course (as of a horse), not a profession.
- 3 ↩'Due' means owed or belonging by right, not causal 'because of'.
- 4 ↩Personified Joy's garment; the poem's title 'Josephs coat' frames affliction clothed in a mixed, many-colored coat of joy and grief.
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