The Pearl

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The Pearl

Original Source

See witness list.

Witness List

  • Witness w: Williams MS. Jones B62
  • Witness b: Bodleian MS. Tanner 307
  • Witness p: The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations, first edition (Cambridge, 1633)

Electronic Edition Information:

Responsibility Statement:
  • Transcribed, encoded, and edited by Robert Whalen
  • Sponsored by Northern Michigan University and the National Endowment for the Humanities
  • Funding provided by Northern Michigan University and the National Endowment for the Humanities
Publication Details:

Published by Robert Whalen for demonstration purposes only. May not be reproduced without permission..

Encoding Principles

"The Pearl" is part of a comprehensive edition of George Herbert's English verse, The Digital Temple. This larger project includes computer-readable transcriptions, in both original- and modern-spelling versions, of Williams MS. Jones B62, Bodleian MS. Tanner 307, and a copy of The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations, first edition (Cambridge, 1633); high-resolution digital images of the sources (excepting the Latin verse in Williams); an apparatus that includes critical, textual, and technical introductions and annotations; and a user interface with which to navigate these materials.

Transcriptions are encoded in TEI(P5)-conformant XML.

Currently, only the Williams images and transcriptions are captured directly from the source. Images (where available) and transcriptions of the Bodleian MS. and first edition are captured from Scolar black-and-white facsimiles.

Apparent errors are preserved and editorial corrections provided using SIC and CORR tags, but only where the editor conjectures that the original scribe or compositor would have recognized the instance as an error. For example, what according to modern usage is incorrect subject/verb agreement might have been deemed acceptable to a seventeenth-century scribe or compositor. All such instances are treated instead using the ORIG and REG tags. (See below.)

Original spellings, abbreviations, and orthography are preserved and regularizations provided. Where in the manuscripts a character's status as majuscule or miniscule is ambiguous, the editor has silently chosen one or the other based on context and judgment (i.e., does not register such ambiguity in either the markup or the notes).

Original quotation marks, if any, are preserved.

Original hyphenation is preserved.

XWitness



The Pearle
Regularized form: Pearl
: Matth: 13.45.
The Pearle
Regularized form: Pearl
Math. 13.
¶ The Pearl. Matth. 13. n
Note: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46). Elaborating this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, the poem reviews wistfully even while denouncing much of what is positive in worldly experience: the pleasures of intellect, social distinction, and the flesh.
1
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of learning, both the Head
I know ye
Regularized form: the
waies
Regularized form: ways
of Learning. both the head
I Know
Regularized form: know
the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of learning; both the head
2
And Pipes that feed ye
Regularized form: the
Preſs
Regularized form: Press
and make it runn
Regularized form: run
.
And pipes, yt
Regularized form: that
feed ye
Regularized form: the
presse
Regularized form: press
, &
Regularized form: and
make it runne
Regularized form: run
:
And pipes that feed the preſſe
Regularized form: press
, and make it runne
Regularized form: run
;
n
Note: Lines 1-2: The Head/head and Pipes/pipes can be read as both mechanical components of the printing press and the human head and its channels through which experience enters the mind via the eyes and ears and, transformed into knowledge, exits via the mouth (speech being counterpart to the printed word). This opening metaphor immediately establishes the tone of the poem by suggesting that much of human knowledge is but a mechanistic response to sensory stimuli—knowledge which reason/reaſon hath from Nature/nature (line 3).
3
What reason hath from Nature purchased What reason hath from Nature borrowed, What reaſon
Regularized form: reason
hath from nature borrowed,
4
Ør
Regularized form: Or
of itself like a good huſwife
Regularized form: housewife
spunn
Regularized form: spun
Or of it selfe
Regularized form: itself
, like a good huswife
Regularized form: housewife
spunne
Regularized form: spun
Or of it ſelf
Regularized form: itself
, like a good huſwife
Regularized form: housewife
, ſpunne
Regularized form: spun
5
In lawes
Regularized form: laws
&
Regularized form: and
Policie
Regularized form: Policy
: what ye
Regularized form: the
starres
Regularized form: stars
conspire:
In Laws &
Regularized form: and
Policie
Regularized form: Policy
. what ye
Regularized form: the
starres
Regularized form: stars
conspire,
In laws and policie
Regularized form: policy
; what the ſtarres
Regularized form: stars
conſpire
Regularized form: conspire
,
n
Note: Lines 4-5, or … Policie/policie: Reason, like a resourceful housewife who makes due with the materials at her immediate disposal, is self-sufficient with respect to the knowledge and practice of law and politics. conspire/conſpire: combine harmoniously (OED 3.a).
6
What willing Nature speaks, what forst
Regularized form: forc'd
by fire:
What willing Nature speakes
Regularized form: speaks
, what forc'd by fire.
What willing nature ſpeaks
Regularized form: speaks
, what forc'd by fire
Regularized form: fire
;
n
Note: "What is immediately apparent, what revealed by fire," the latter referring perhaps to some alchemical or occult process through which nature's secrets are exposed.
7
Both th'old diſcoveries
Regularized form: discoveries
, &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
new-found seas,
Both the'old discoueries
Regularized form: discoveries
, &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
New found
Regularized form: New-found
seas,
Both th' old diſcoveries
Regularized form: discoveries
, and the new found
Regularized form: new-found
ſeas
Regularized form: seas
,
8
The stock and surplus, cause and History. The stock &
Regularized form: and
surplus, cause and history:
The ſtock
Regularized form: stock
and ſurplus
Regularized form: surplus
, cauſe
Regularized form: cause
and hiſtorie
Regularized form: history
:
n
Note: The abundance of knowledge already acquired, and how it came to be (i.e., philology).

9
All these stand open or I have the keyes
Regularized form: keys
.
All these stand open, or I haue
Regularized form: have
the keyes
Regularized form: keys
.
All theſe
Regularized form: these
ſtand
Regularized form: stand
open, or I have the keyes
Regularized form: keys
:
n
Note: keyes: i.e., means and methods with which to unlock nature's secrets (see line 6 and note).
10
Yet I love Thee. Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.
11
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of Honour: what maintains
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of honor
Regularized form: honour
. what mantaines
Regularized form: maintains
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of honour, what maintains
12
The quick returnes
Regularized form: returns
of curtesie
Regularized form: courtesy
and witt
Regularized form: wit
:
The quick returnes
Regularized form: returns
of curtesie
Regularized form: courtesy
and witt
Regularized form: wit
:
The quick returns of courteſie
Regularized form: courtesy
and wit:
n
Note: "The courtier's skill in lively banter."
13
In vyes
Regularized form: vies
of fauours
Regularized form: favours
whither
Regularized form: whether
party gains,
In vyes
Regularized form: vies
of fauors
Regularized form: favours
, whether party gaines
Regularized form: gains
,
In vies of favours whether partie
Regularized form: party
gains,
n
Note: "Which of two courtiers wins favour in a contest of deference to a person of rank."
14
When glory swels
Regularized form: swells
ye
Regularized form: the
hart
Regularized form: heart
and moldeth it
When Glory swells ye
Regularized form: the
heart, &
Regularized form: and
moldeth it
When glorie
Regularized form: glory
ſwells
Regularized form: swells
the heart, and moldeth it
15
To all expreſsions
Regularized form: expressions
both of hand &
Regularized form: and
eye
To all expressions both of hand &
Regularized form: and
eie
Regularized form: eye
,
To all expreſſions
Regularized form: expressions
both of hand and eye,
16
Wch
Regularized form: Which
on the world a tru
Regularized form: true
-love-knott
Regularized form: knot
may tye
Regularized form: tie
Wch
Regularized form: Which
on ye
Regularized form: the
World a true-loue
Regularized form: love
-knot may tie
Which on the world a true-love-knot may tie, n
Note: tru/true-love/loue-knot: ornamental knot used as a symbol of true love.
17
And beare
Regularized form: bear
ye
Regularized form: the
bundle wheresoere
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes.
And beare
Regularized form: bear
ye
Regularized form: the
bundle, wheresoere
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes:
And bear the bundle, whereſoe're
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes:
n
Note: Lines 15-17: "When the desire for fame and reputation at court is evident in subtle physical gestures and glances: a wooing of the world as though it were a mistress—a pretence which, like a burdensome load, must always be sustained."
18
How many drams of spirit there must bee
Regularized form: be
How many drammes
Regularized form: drams
of spirit there must bee
Regularized form: be
How many drammes
Regularized form: drams
of ſpirit
Regularized form: spirit
there muſt
Regularized form: must
be
n
Note: drams/drammes: small amounts (OED 3.b). spirit/ſpirit: mental vigor, courage (OED 13.a); vital bodily fluid (OED 16.a); distilled alcohol (OED 21).
19
To sell my life vnto
Regularized form: unto
my frends
Regularized form: friends
or foes
To sell my life vnto
Regularized form: unto
my freinds
Regularized form: friends
or foes.
To ſell
Regularized form: sell
my life unto my friends or foes:
n
Note: Lines 18-19: The speaker bemoans the considerable energy it takes to sustain worldly respectability, wryly suggesting that such effort can be mustered at all only with a little fortifying courage from the bottle.
20
Yet I love Thee. Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.

21
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of Pleasure: the sweet strains,
I know ye
Regularized form: the
waies
Regularized form: ways
of Pleasure. ye
Regularized form: the
sweet straines
Regularized form: strains
,
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of pleaſure
Regularized form: pleasure
, the ſweet
Regularized form: sweet
ſtrains
Regularized form: strains
,
n
Note: strains/straines/ſtrains: passages of song or verse (OED 13.b); sexual exertions.
22
The gustos lullings and the relishes of itt
Regularized form: it
.n
Note: gustos: keen enjoyments (OED 2).
The Lullings &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
rellishes
Regularized form: relishes
of itt
Regularized form: it
:
The lullings and the reliſhes
Regularized form: relishes
of it;
n
Note: lullings/Lullings: soothing songs (OED 1.b); soothing caresses (OED lull, v.1, 1). relishes/rellishes/reliſhes: pleasing flavours or qualities (OED 1.d); and, as Wilcox (325) notes, musical embellishments (OED relish, n.3).
23
The propositions of hott
Regularized form: hot
blood and brains:
The propositions of hott
Regularized form: hot
blood &
Regularized form: and
braines
Regularized form: brains
:
The propoſitions
Regularized form: propositions
of hot bloud
Regularized form: blood
and brains;
n
Note: propositions/propoſitions: schemes or courses of action (OED 2.a).
24
What mirth &
Regularized form: and
Musick
Regularized form: Music
meane
Regularized form: mean
, what loue
Regularized form: love
&
Regularized form: and
witt
Regularized form: wit
What Mirth &
Regularized form: and
Musiq
Regularized form: Music
meane
Regularized form: mean
: what loue
Regularized form: love
&
Regularized form: and
witt
Regularized form: wit
What mirth and muſick
Regularized form: music
mean; what love and wit
25
Have done these twenty many hundred yeers
Regularized form: years
and more:
Haue
Regularized form: Have
done these twenty hundred yeares
Regularized form: years
&
Regularized form: and
more:
Have done theſe
Regularized form: these
twentie
Regularized form: twenty
hundred yeares
Regularized form: years
, and more:
n
Note: Lines 24-25: "What are the major cultural achievements inspired by love from Classical antiquity to the present."
26
Where both their baſkets
Regularized form: baskets
are wth all
Regularized form: withal
their store
n
Note: their: i.e., loue's and witt's.
I know ye
Regularized form: the
proiects
Regularized form: projects
of vnbundled
Regularized form: unbundled
store:
I know the projects of unbridled ſtore
Regularized form: store
:
n
Note: vnbundled/unbridled: Whereas the #b version means merely unpacked or released, the #p revision means unrestrained or undisciplined (as of a horse without a bridle).
27
The smacks of dainties and their exaltation: n
Note: smacks: agreeable flavours (OED 1.c). dainties: choice viands (OED 6). their exaltation: the elation they cause (OED 2.b).
My stuff is flesh, not brasse
Regularized form: brass
; my senses liue
Regularized form: live
,
My ſtuffe
Regularized form: stuff
is fleſh
Regularized form: flesh
, not braſſe
Regularized form: brass
; my ſenſes
Regularized form: senses
live,
28
What both ye
Regularized form: the
stops and pegs of pleasure bee
Regularized form: be
:
n
Note: stops: ventages or apertures on the tube of a wind instrument (OED 15.a). pegs: tuning pegs of a stringed instrument (OED 2.a).
And grumble oft; that they haue
Regularized form: have
more in mee
Regularized form: me
And grumble oft, that they have more in me
29
The ioyes
Regularized form: joys
of Company or Contemplationn
Note: "The pleasures of society or solitary reflection."
Then
Regularized form: Than
he, yt
Regularized form: that
curbs them, being but one to fiue
Regularized form: five
.
Then
Regularized form: Than
he that curbs them, being but one to five
Regularized form: five
:
n
Note: Lines 27-29: "I am made of flesh and my five senses complain often that they are restrained by Reason even though outnumbering him five to one."
30
Yet I love Thee Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.


31
I know all these &
Regularized form: and
have them in my hand.
I know all these, &
Regularized form: and
haue
Regularized form: have
them in my hand.
I know all theſe
Regularized form: these
, and have them in my hand:
n
Note: have/haue them in my hand: i.e., by virtue of having written this poem.
32
Therefore not seeled
Regularized form: sealed
, but wth
Regularized form: with
open eyes
Therefore not sealed, but with open eyes Therefore not ſealed
Regularized form: sealed
, but with open eyes
33
I fly to thee, and fully vnderstand
Regularized form: understand
I fly to thee, and fully vnderstand
Regularized form: understand
,
I flie
Regularized form: fly
to thee, and fully underſtand
Regularized form: understand
34
Both the maine
Regularized form: main
sale and the Commodities
Both ye
Regularized form: the
maine
Regularized form: main
sale, and the commodities:
Both the main ſale
Regularized form: sale
, and the commodities;
35
And at what rate &
Regularized form: and
price I haue
Regularized form: have
thy love,
And at what rate &
Regularized form: and
price I haue
Regularized form: have
thy loue
Regularized form: love
And at what rate and price I have thy love; n
Note: Lines 32-35: Using a cold, mercantile language of exchange, the speaker arrogantly presumes to comprehend the extent of the sacrifice required to follow Christ. Worse yet, he fails utterly to comprehend the extent of Christ's sacrifice relative to his own.
36
Wth
Regularized form: With
all the Circumstances yt
Regularized form: that
may moue
Regularized form: move
.
With all ye
Regularized form: the
circumstances, yt
Regularized form: that
may moue
Regularized form: move
,
With all the circumſtances
Regularized form: circumstances
that may move:
n
Note: "The speaker even claims to be able to anticipate changes in circumstances and to understand how they will affect the agreement" (Wilcox, 326).
37
Yet through
Regularized form: through
these labyrinths not my groueling
Regularized form: groveling
witt
Regularized form: wit
,
Yet through these labarinths
Regularized form: labyrinths
, not my groueling
Regularized form: groveling
witt
Regularized form: wit
,
Yet through the labyrinths, not my groveling wit, n
Note: labyrinths/labarinths: mazes, recalling the story of Theseus and the Minotaur in Ovid's Metamorphoses (8.130ff.). After slaying the beast, Theseus finds his way out of the labyrinth by means of Ariadne's thread (the latter suggested here by the silk twist/twiſt in the following line). groueling/groveling witt/wit: This sudden assertion that the poem to this point has been merely obsequious seems entirely at odds with the arrogance of the lines (32-36) immediately preceding. The crucial question is whether the acknowledgement of such folly has sufficiently corrected it. But perhaps that is the point: nothing the speaker says or does can redeem him. The poem's conclusion is the moment before the clime/climbe (line 40) has even begun.
38
But thy silk-twist, lett
Regularized form: let
downe
Regularized form: down
from Heauen
Regularized form: Heaven
to mee
Regularized form: me
But thy silk twist, let downe
Regularized form: down
from heauen
Regularized form: heaven
to mee
Regularized form: me
,
But thy ſilk
Regularized form: silk
twiſt
Regularized form: twist
let down from heav'n to me,
n
Note: silk-/silk/ſilk twist/twiſt: In addition to the echo of Ovid (see line 37 and note), Wilcox (326-27) cites three possible interpretations of this much-discussed phrase: an echo of Jacob's ladder linking heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12); the proverbial "threefold cord" that "is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 3:12) and therefore a type of the Trinity; and a passage in Calvin's Institutes (1.6.3) in which the "twist" of God's Word is said to lead the Christian to salvation.
39
Did both conduct and teach mee
Regularized form: me
how by itt
Regularized form: it
Did both conduct, &
Regularized form: and
teach mee
Regularized form: me
, how by it
Did both conduct
Regularized form: conduct
and teach me, how by it
40
To clime
Regularized form: climb
to Thee.
To climbe
Regularized form: climb
to Thee.
To climbe
Regularized form: climb
to thee.
XWitness



The Pearle
Regularized form: Pearl
: Matth: 13.45.
The Pearle
Regularized form: Pearl
Math. 13.
¶ The Pearl. Matth. 13. n
Note: "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matthew 13:45-46). Elaborating this passage from the Sermon on the Mount, the poem reviews wistfully even while denouncing much of what is positive in worldly experience: the pleasures of intellect, social distinction, and the flesh.
1
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of learning, both the Head
I know ye
Regularized form: the
waies
Regularized form: ways
of Learning. both the head
I Know
Regularized form: know
the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of learning; both the head
2
And Pipes that feed ye
Regularized form: the
Preſs
Regularized form: Press
and make it runn
Regularized form: run
.
And pipes, yt
Regularized form: that
feed ye
Regularized form: the
presse
Regularized form: press
, &
Regularized form: and
make it runne
Regularized form: run
:
And pipes that feed the preſſe
Regularized form: press
, and make it runne
Regularized form: run
;
n
Note: Lines 1-2: The Head/head and Pipes/pipes can be read as both mechanical components of the printing press and the human head and its channels through which experience enters the mind via the eyes and ears and, transformed into knowledge, exits via the mouth (speech being counterpart to the printed word). This opening metaphor immediately establishes the tone of the poem by suggesting that much of human knowledge is but a mechanistic response to sensory stimuli—knowledge which reason/reaſon hath from Nature/nature (line 3).
3
What reason hath from Nature purchased What reason hath from Nature borrowed, What reaſon
Regularized form: reason
hath from nature borrowed,
4
Ør
Regularized form: Or
of itself like a good huſwife
Regularized form: housewife
spunn
Regularized form: spun
Or of it selfe
Regularized form: itself
, like a good huswife
Regularized form: housewife
spunne
Regularized form: spun
Or of it ſelf
Regularized form: itself
, like a good huſwife
Regularized form: housewife
, ſpunne
Regularized form: spun
5
In lawes
Regularized form: laws
&
Regularized form: and
Policie
Regularized form: Policy
: what ye
Regularized form: the
starres
Regularized form: stars
conspire:
In Laws &
Regularized form: and
Policie
Regularized form: Policy
. what ye
Regularized form: the
starres
Regularized form: stars
conspire,
In laws and policie
Regularized form: policy
; what the ſtarres
Regularized form: stars
conſpire
Regularized form: conspire
,
n
Note: Lines 4-5, or … Policie/policie: Reason, like a resourceful housewife who makes due with the materials at her immediate disposal, is self-sufficient with respect to the knowledge and practice of law and politics. conspire/conſpire: combine harmoniously (OED 3.a).
6
What willing Nature speaks, what forst
Regularized form: forc'd
by fire:
What willing Nature speakes
Regularized form: speaks
, what forc'd by fire.
What willing nature ſpeaks
Regularized form: speaks
, what forc'd by fire
Regularized form: fire
;
n
Note: "What is immediately apparent, what revealed by fire," the latter referring perhaps to some alchemical or occult process through which nature's secrets are exposed.
7
Both th'old diſcoveries
Regularized form: discoveries
, &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
new-found seas,
Both the'old discoueries
Regularized form: discoveries
, &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
New found
Regularized form: New-found
seas,
Both th' old diſcoveries
Regularized form: discoveries
, and the new found
Regularized form: new-found
ſeas
Regularized form: seas
,
8
The stock and surplus, cause and History. The stock &
Regularized form: and
surplus, cause and history:
The ſtock
Regularized form: stock
and ſurplus
Regularized form: surplus
, cauſe
Regularized form: cause
and hiſtorie
Regularized form: history
:
n
Note: The abundance of knowledge already acquired, and how it came to be (i.e., philology).

9
All these stand open or I have the keyes
Regularized form: keys
.
All these stand open, or I haue
Regularized form: have
the keyes
Regularized form: keys
.
All theſe
Regularized form: these
ſtand
Regularized form: stand
open, or I have the keyes
Regularized form: keys
:
n
Note: keyes: i.e., means and methods with which to unlock nature's secrets (see line 6 and note).
10
Yet I love Thee. Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.
11
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of Honour: what maintains
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of honor
Regularized form: honour
. what mantaines
Regularized form: maintains
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of honour, what maintains
12
The quick returnes
Regularized form: returns
of curtesie
Regularized form: courtesy
and witt
Regularized form: wit
:
The quick returnes
Regularized form: returns
of curtesie
Regularized form: courtesy
and witt
Regularized form: wit
:
The quick returns of courteſie
Regularized form: courtesy
and wit:
n
Note: "The courtier's skill in lively banter."
13
In vyes
Regularized form: vies
of fauours
Regularized form: favours
whither
Regularized form: whether
party gains,
In vyes
Regularized form: vies
of fauors
Regularized form: favours
, whether party gaines
Regularized form: gains
,
In vies of favours whether partie
Regularized form: party
gains,
n
Note: "Which of two courtiers wins favour in a contest of deference to a person of rank."
14
When glory swels
Regularized form: swells
ye
Regularized form: the
hart
Regularized form: heart
and moldeth it
When Glory swells ye
Regularized form: the
heart, &
Regularized form: and
moldeth it
When glorie
Regularized form: glory
ſwells
Regularized form: swells
the heart, and moldeth it
15
To all expreſsions
Regularized form: expressions
both of hand &
Regularized form: and
eye
To all expressions both of hand &
Regularized form: and
eie
Regularized form: eye
,
To all expreſſions
Regularized form: expressions
both of hand and eye,
16
Wch
Regularized form: Which
on the world a tru
Regularized form: true
-love-knott
Regularized form: knot
may tye
Regularized form: tie
Wch
Regularized form: Which
on ye
Regularized form: the
World a true-loue
Regularized form: love
-knot may tie
Which on the world a true-love-knot may tie, n
Note: tru/true-love/loue-knot: ornamental knot used as a symbol of true love.
17
And beare
Regularized form: bear
ye
Regularized form: the
bundle wheresoere
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes.
And beare
Regularized form: bear
ye
Regularized form: the
bundle, wheresoere
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes:
And bear the bundle, whereſoe're
Regularized form: wheresoe'er
it goes:
n
Note: Lines 15-17: "When the desire for fame and reputation at court is evident in subtle physical gestures and glances: a wooing of the world as though it were a mistress—a pretence which, like a burdensome load, must always be sustained."
18
How many drams of spirit there must bee
Regularized form: be
How many drammes
Regularized form: drams
of spirit there must bee
Regularized form: be
How many drammes
Regularized form: drams
of ſpirit
Regularized form: spirit
there muſt
Regularized form: must
be
n
Note: drams/drammes: small amounts (OED 3.b). spirit/ſpirit: mental vigor, courage (OED 13.a); vital bodily fluid (OED 16.a); distilled alcohol (OED 21).
19
To sell my life vnto
Regularized form: unto
my frends
Regularized form: friends
or foes
To sell my life vnto
Regularized form: unto
my freinds
Regularized form: friends
or foes.
To ſell
Regularized form: sell
my life unto my friends or foes:
n
Note: Lines 18-19: The speaker bemoans the considerable energy it takes to sustain worldly respectability, wryly suggesting that such effort can be mustered at all only with a little fortifying courage from the bottle.
20
Yet I love Thee. Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.

21
I know ye
Regularized form: the
wayes
Regularized form: ways
of Pleasure: the sweet strains,
I know ye
Regularized form: the
waies
Regularized form: ways
of Pleasure. ye
Regularized form: the
sweet straines
Regularized form: strains
,
I know the wayes
Regularized form: ways
of pleaſure
Regularized form: pleasure
, the ſweet
Regularized form: sweet
ſtrains
Regularized form: strains
,
n
Note: strains/straines/ſtrains: passages of song or verse (OED 13.b); sexual exertions.
22
The gustos lullings and the relishes of itt
Regularized form: it
.n
Note: gustos: keen enjoyments (OED 2).
The Lullings &
Regularized form: and
ye
Regularized form: the
rellishes
Regularized form: relishes
of itt
Regularized form: it
:
The lullings and the reliſhes
Regularized form: relishes
of it;
n
Note: lullings/Lullings: soothing songs (OED 1.b); soothing caresses (OED lull, v.1, 1). relishes/rellishes/reliſhes: pleasing flavours or qualities (OED 1.d); and, as Wilcox (325) notes, musical embellishments (OED relish, n.3).
23
The propositions of hott
Regularized form: hot
blood and brains:
The propositions of hott
Regularized form: hot
blood &
Regularized form: and
braines
Regularized form: brains
:
The propoſitions
Regularized form: propositions
of hot bloud
Regularized form: blood
and brains;
n
Note: propositions/propoſitions: schemes or courses of action (OED 2.a).
24
What mirth &
Regularized form: and
Musick
Regularized form: Music
meane
Regularized form: mean
, what loue
Regularized form: love
&
Regularized form: and
witt
Regularized form: wit
What Mirth &
Regularized form: and
Musiq
Regularized form: Music
meane
Regularized form: mean
: what loue
Regularized form: love
&
Regularized form: and
witt
Regularized form: wit
What mirth and muſick
Regularized form: music
mean; what love and wit
25
Have done these twenty many hundred yeers
Regularized form: years
and more:
Haue
Regularized form: Have
done these twenty hundred yeares
Regularized form: years
&
Regularized form: and
more:
Have done theſe
Regularized form: these
twentie
Regularized form: twenty
hundred yeares
Regularized form: years
, and more:
n
Note: Lines 24-25: "What are the major cultural achievements inspired by love from Classical antiquity to the present."
26
Where both their baſkets
Regularized form: baskets
are wth all
Regularized form: withal
their store
n
Note: their: i.e., loue's and witt's.
I know ye
Regularized form: the
proiects
Regularized form: projects
of vnbundled
Regularized form: unbundled
store:
I know the projects of unbridled ſtore
Regularized form: store
:
n
Note: vnbundled/unbridled: Whereas the #b version means merely unpacked or released, the #p revision means unrestrained or undisciplined (as of a horse without a bridle).
27
The smacks of dainties and their exaltation: n
Note: smacks: agreeable flavours (OED 1.c). dainties: choice viands (OED 6). their exaltation: the elation they cause (OED 2.b).
My stuff is flesh, not brasse
Regularized form: brass
; my senses liue
Regularized form: live
,
My ſtuffe
Regularized form: stuff
is fleſh
Regularized form: flesh
, not braſſe
Regularized form: brass
; my ſenſes
Regularized form: senses
live,
28
What both ye
Regularized form: the
stops and pegs of pleasure bee
Regularized form: be
:
n
Note: stops: ventages or apertures on the tube of a wind instrument (OED 15.a). pegs: tuning pegs of a stringed instrument (OED 2.a).
And grumble oft; that they haue
Regularized form: have
more in mee
Regularized form: me
And grumble oft, that they have more in me
29
The ioyes
Regularized form: joys
of Company or Contemplationn
Note: "The pleasures of society or solitary reflection."
Then
Regularized form: Than
he, yt
Regularized form: that
curbs them, being but one to fiue
Regularized form: five
.
Then
Regularized form: Than
he that curbs them, being but one to five
Regularized form: five
:
n
Note: Lines 27-29: "I am made of flesh and my five senses complain often that they are restrained by Reason even though outnumbering him five to one."
30
Yet I love Thee Yet I loue
Regularized form: love
thee.
Yet I love thee.


31
I know all these &
Regularized form: and
have them in my hand.
I know all these, &
Regularized form: and
haue
Regularized form: have
them in my hand.
I know all theſe
Regularized form: these
, and have them in my hand:
n
Note: have/haue them in my hand: i.e., by virtue of having written this poem.
32
Therefore not seeled
Regularized form: sealed
, but wth
Regularized form: with
open eyes
Therefore not sealed, but with open eyes Therefore not ſealed
Regularized form: sealed
, but with open eyes
33
I fly to thee, and fully vnderstand
Regularized form: understand
I fly to thee, and fully vnderstand
Regularized form: understand
,
I flie
Regularized form: fly
to thee, and fully underſtand
Regularized form: understand
34
Both the maine
Regularized form: main
sale and the Commodities
Both ye
Regularized form: the
maine
Regularized form: main
sale, and the commodities:
Both the main ſale
Regularized form: sale
, and the commodities;
35
And at what rate &
Regularized form: and
price I haue
Regularized form: have
thy love,
And at what rate &
Regularized form: and
price I haue
Regularized form: have
thy loue
Regularized form: love
And at what rate and price I have thy love; n
Note: Lines 32-35: Using a cold, mercantile language of exchange, the speaker arrogantly presumes to comprehend the extent of the sacrifice required to follow Christ. Worse yet, he fails utterly to comprehend the extent of Christ's sacrifice relative to his own.
36
Wth
Regularized form: With
all the Circumstances yt
Regularized form: that
may moue
Regularized form: move
.
With all ye
Regularized form: the
circumstances, yt
Regularized form: that
may moue
Regularized form: move
,
With all the circumſtances
Regularized form: circumstances
that may move:
n
Note: "The speaker even claims to be able to anticipate changes in circumstances and to understand how they will affect the agreement" (Wilcox, 326).
37
Yet through
Regularized form: through
these labyrinths not my groueling
Regularized form: groveling
witt
Regularized form: wit
,
Yet through these labarinths
Regularized form: labyrinths
, not my groueling
Regularized form: groveling
witt
Regularized form: wit
,
Yet through the labyrinths, not my groveling wit, n
Note: labyrinths/labarinths: mazes, recalling the story of Theseus and the Minotaur in Ovid's Metamorphoses (8.130ff.). After slaying the beast, Theseus finds his way out of the labyrinth by means of Ariadne's thread (the latter suggested here by the silk twist/twiſt in the following line). groueling/groveling witt/wit: This sudden assertion that the poem to this point has been merely obsequious seems entirely at odds with the arrogance of the lines (32-36) immediately preceding. The crucial question is whether the acknowledgement of such folly has sufficiently corrected it. But perhaps that is the point: nothing the speaker says or does can redeem him. The poem's conclusion is the moment before the clime/climbe (line 40) has even begun.
38
But thy silk-twist, lett
Regularized form: let
downe
Regularized form: down
from Heauen
Regularized form: Heaven
to mee
Regularized form: me
But thy silk twist, let downe
Regularized form: down
from heauen
Regularized form: heaven
to mee
Regularized form: me
,
But thy ſilk
Regularized form: silk
twiſt
Regularized form: twist
let down from heav'n to me,
n
Note: silk-/silk/ſilk twist/twiſt: In addition to the echo of Ovid (see line 37 and note), Wilcox (326-27) cites three possible interpretations of this much-discussed phrase: an echo of Jacob's ladder linking heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12); the proverbial "threefold cord" that "is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 3:12) and therefore a type of the Trinity; and a passage in Calvin's Institutes (1.6.3) in which the "twist" of God's Word is said to lead the Christian to salvation.
39
Did both conduct and teach mee
Regularized form: me
how by itt
Regularized form: it
Did both conduct, &
Regularized form: and
teach mee
Regularized form: me
, how by it
Did both conduct
Regularized form: conduct
and teach me, how by it
40
To clime
Regularized form: climb
to Thee.
To climbe
Regularized form: climb
to Thee.
To climbe
Regularized form: climb
to thee.

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