The Temper-II by George Herbert Lyrics

Meaning of "The Temper-II" by George Herbert

The lyrics open with a speaker grappling with a sudden, profound loss. "Where is that mighty joy," they ask, indicating a spiritual experience that has abruptly vanished. This immediate plea to "Lord" sets a tone of urgent, almost desperate, spiritual questioning. The central tension here stems from the speaker's perception of divine inconsistency. While the "grosser world" remains steadfast, adhering to God's "word and art," the "diviner world of grace" seems fleeting. It "suddenly dost raise and race," suggesting a divine presence that appears and disappears without warning, leaving the speaker in spiritual flux. The most striking craft element is the personification of the speaker's internal faculties. The speaker implores God to "fix thy chair of grace," so their own "powers" may "fix their reverence." Without God's stable presence, these internal powers "grow unruly, and sit in thy bowers," acting like disobedient subjects invading a sacred space. This vivid imagery captures the internal chaos caused by perceived divine withdrawal. Ultimately, the lyrics are effective because they articulate a deeply human desire for spiritual constancy amidst an experience of divine transience. The speaker isn't just asking for grace; they are pleading for God to "keep a standing Majesty in me." This isn't about external circumstances, but an internal, unwavering spiritual anchor, regardless of how "elements change, and heaven move."