A Well-Tuned Heart

And when one of the company told him “He had disparaged himself by so dirty an employment,” his answer was, “That the thought of what he had done would prove music to him at midnight; and that the omission of it would have upbraided and made discord in his conscience, whensoever he should pass by that place; for if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I am sure that I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to practise what I pray for.* And though I do not wish for the like occasion every day, yet let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one day of my life without comforting a sad soul, or shewing mercy; and I praise God for this occasion. And now let’s tune our instruments.”

From ‘The Life of Mr George Herbert (1670) by Izaak Walton (1593-1683).

* See James 2:15-17.

Précis
On hearing Herbert’s excuses, one of the company ventured that nonetheless it had been unseemly for a gentleman to get into such a state. Herbert replied that he felt no shame, but would have been uneasy in his conscience had he refused to be the answer to any man’s prayer, and immediately begged the company to start making music.
Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

How did Herbert defend himself against the accusation that his appearance did him no credit?

Suggestion

He said duty had to come first.

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