¶ The World.
LOve built a stately house; where Fortune came, And spinning phansies, she was heard to say, That her fine cobwebs did support the frame, Whereas they were supported by the same: But Wisdome quickly swept them all away. Then Pleasure came, who, liking not the fashion, Began to make Balcones, Terraces, Till she had weakned all by alteration: But revrend laws, and many a proclamation Reformed all at length with menaces. Then enterd Sinne, and with that Sycomore, Whose leaves first sheltred man from drought & dew, Working and winding slily evermore, The inward walls and sommers1 cleft and tore: But Grace shord these, and cut that as it grew. Then Sinne combind with Death in a firm band To raze the building to the very floore: Which they effected, none could them withstand. But Love and Grace took Glorie by the hand, And built a braver Palace then before. |
1 sommers. main, supporting beams. [Return] On Allegory in the poem: A Comparison of George Herbert and John Bunyan by Rebecca Branham Dimon |
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