The Collar

      

BY GEORGE HERBERT

I struck the board, and cried, "No more;

                         I will abroad!

What? shall I ever sigh and pine?

My lines and life are free, free as the road,

Loose as the wind, as large as store.

          Shall I be still in suit?

Have I no harvest but a thorn

To let me blood, and not restore

What I have lost with cordial fruit?

          Sure there was wine

Before my sighs did dry it; there was corn

    Before my tears did drown it.

      Is the year only lost to me?

          Have I no bays to crown it,

No flowers, no garlands gay? All blasted?

                  All wasted?

Not so, my heart; but there is fruit,

            And thou hast hands.

Recover all thy sigh-blown age

On double pleasures: leave thy cold dispute

Of what is fit and not. Forsake thy cage,

             Thy rope of sands,

Which petty thoughts have made, and made to thee

Good cable, to enforce and draw,

          And be thy law,

While thou didst wink and wouldst not see.

          Away! take heed;

          I will abroad.

Call in thy death's-head there; tie up thy fears;

          He that forbears

         To suit and serve his need

          Deserves his load."

But as I raved and grew more fierce and wild

          At every word,

Methought I heard one calling, Child!

          And I replied My Lord.

SUMMARY

According to Dryden, a metaphysical poet presents not an emotional outpouring but a cool argument. The Collar is one of the finest poems written by George Herbert  in the history of metaphysical lyrics. The title of the poem 'The Collar' refers to the white band worn by the clergy. It also refers to the priest role as servant.

The poem shows that the poet is involved in a struggle with his own soul. George Herbert rebels against the disciplines  of his vocation of priesthood:

                   ‘I STRUCK the board and cried, no more’

The poet wants to be left as free as the wind. He complains that he has to suffer because of Adam's tasting of the forbidden fruit. He says bitterly that he is not crowned with bay flowers. His inner self urges him to enjoy at least the remaining part of his life the self says, It is not necessary to reject earthly joys and pursue spiritual advancement.

The inner self says that death comes not only to sinners but also to saints. One had to face death bravely instead of missing pleasures. The poet's conscience talks of the wine and 'corn' symbols of the Eucharistic chalice offered by Christ to his disciples. The poet is wasting himself by sighing, pining and shedding tears instead of following the footsteps of Christ. The forbidden fruit misled our first parents. The conscience says that another 'fruit' is available now to the sinner - He can follow Christ and achieve salvation for himself. The conscience urges the poet to stretch his hands and pluck this fruit.

The poet hears the voice of GOD, lovingly called him 'Child'. He at once calls God, 'My Lord'. There are farfetched comparisons used by the metaphysical poets. There are few conceits in 'The Collar'.