Virtue

The theme is given in the last stanza of poem virtue. State it in your own words.

Only a sweet and virtuous soul,

Like seasoned timber, never gives,

But though the whole world turn to coal

Then chiefly lives

Asked by Sheland on 18 Mar 08:13

Last updated by Jill W on 19 Mar 13:06

1 Answers

Answered by Jill W on 19 Mar 13:06

The last quatrain presents images of an eternal soul and of a conflagration that turns the whole world, except that virtuous soul, to blackened coal, and its last line ends with the word "live." As such, the entire poem, which all along warned of death, shows the way in which Herbert believes that he and his readers may achieve eternal life: by shunning transient glory and humbly embracing virtue.

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Virtue