The “staff” Herbert refers to is Jacob’s staff, an old astronomical tool used to follow stars, measure mountains, or navigate ships on the sea. They measure mountains, states, kings, even the very heavens above.
Herbert opens the poem with the exploits of philosophers, those who have dedicated themselves to the pursuit of knowledge and enquiry. Herbert’s poem, The Agony, is a provocative poem reflecting on the limits of what we may call “scientific knowledge” (stanza 1), the gruesomeness of sin (stanza 2), and the paradox of God’s love (stanza 3). As you do, notice what lines you are drawn to, what moves you. If there are words or phrases that you don’t understand, just pass by them for now and focus on the flow of the poem. Most poems are written for the ear, and so should be read aloud. Which my God feels as blood, but I as wine.īefore the analysis of the poem, let me suggest that you read back through this poem out loud.
Love is that liquor sweet and most divine, To hunt his cruel food through ev’ry vein.Īnd taste that juice which, on the cross, a pike Sin is that press and vice, which forceth pain Yet few there are that sound them-Sin and Love.Ī Man so wrung with pains, that all His hair, The which to measure it doth more behove Walked with a staff to heav’n, and traced fountains: Fathomed the depths of seas, of states and kings
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