I googled for clarification of The Pulley title and found this, which coincides with what Saffron was suggesting:
"As our restlessness drags us down (on one rope of the pulley), we rise (on the other rope) to God, who gives us the blessing of Rest" along with an analysis of the use of metaphors here. If interested it's at http://www.ccel.org/h/herbert/temple/Pulley.html
That's well put.

Yes, I've been thinking about this poem too.

I ended up by singing a clip from my favourite song by 'The Eagles' -

Desperado:

Desperado, Oh, you ain't looking no younger
Your pain and your hunger are driving you home....
and Freedom? Oh Freedom..
That's just some people talking...
Your prison is walking through this world all alone.....

DWill wrote:I suspect the word "toss" may be a key, too. I tries to look it up in the OED but didn't succeed.

Amazing! I thought everything was in the OED. Maybe you should write them.

No, I meant that I gave up quickly after not finding how to access the OED. There needs to be an emoticon for sheepishness, by the way.

DWill wrote:No, I meant that I gave up quickly after not finding how to access the OED. There needs to be an emoticon for sheepishness, by the way.

The OED is a paid subscription site. My daughter has access through her college. Sheepish grin would be a good addition.
<sheepish grin>

Saffron wrote:

Sheepish grin would be a good addition.
<sheepish grin>

How true, my lambs.

Whilst we're on the subject of sheepishness. I was very ashamed of my cynical response to the William Blake poem - The Lamb - after I read Dawn's sweet response to it.

Shall we three go and stand in a corner and bleat?

"Shall we three go and stand in a corner and bleat?"

That made my day, Penelope! Pity there's no sheep smiley.

Well despite the obvious message I liked this poem. It is just pleasant. Must be the use of the language.

Isn't it wonderful that we humans do have all these qualities? And that they are natural to us, not GOD given?

Dawn wrote:I googled for clarification of The Pulley title and found this, which coincides with what Saffron was suggesting:
"As our restlessness drags us down (on one rope of the pulley), we rise (on the other rope) to God, who gives us the blessing of Rest" along with an analysis of the use of metaphors here. If interested it's at http://www.ccel.org/h/herbert/temple/Pulley.html
That's well put.

I thought God decided in the end to withhold rest, so that people would come to him in "wearinesse'?

Well, anyway, I like George H.

107. "Hymn to Diana," by Ben Jonson. The Jonson I like has a classical stateliness, which I find in this poem. It's from his satirical play, "Cynthia's Revels." 2 dings.

Queen and huntress, chaste and fair,
Now the sun is laid to sleep,
Seated in thy silver chair,
State in wonted manner keep:
Hesperus entreats thy light,
Goddess excellently bright.

Earth, let not thy envious shade
Dare itself to interpose;
Cynthia's shining orb was made
Heaven to clear when day did close:
Bless us then with wishèd sight,
Goddess excellently bright.

Lay thy bow of pearl apart,
And thy crystal-shining quiver;
Give unto the flying hart
Space to breathe, how short soever;
Thou that mak'st a day of night,
Goddess excellently bright.

DWill wrote: I thought God decided in the end to withhold rest, so that people would come to him in "wearinesse'?

Well, anyway, I like George H.

Exactly. That's because the believer finds his rest in God Herbert knew the book of Hebrews (esp. chapters 3&4)!blueletterbible.org/tools/printerFriend ... =8&y=7