Unprofitableness by Henry Vaughan

Context

• Unprofitableness by Henry Vaughan was written in the mid-17th century, during a time of religious conflict and personal introspection in England.
• Vaughan, a Welsh metaphysical poet, was deeply influenced by his Christian faith and the writings of George Herbert. His poetry often explores themes of spirituality, divine grace, and human frailty.
• The poem reflects Vaughan's preoccupation with the inadequacies of human efforts and the reliance on God's mercy, a theme that resonates with the broader metaphysical tradition.

Structure and Form

Form, Meter, and Rhyme

• The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with eight lines.
• It follows an ABABABCC rhyme scheme, where the final couplet in each stanza provides a sense of closure or emphasis on the preceding ideas.
• The meter is primarily iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a steady, contemplative rhythm, suitable for its introspective tone.

Speaker and Setting

• The speaker in the poem is likely Vaughan himself, expressing his feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness before God.
• The setting is reflective and spiritual, focusing on the speaker's inner thoughts and relationship with God, rather than a specific physical location.
• The speaker reflects on his failures and the insufficiency of his actions to attain divine grace, underscoring his reliance on God's mercy.

Poetic Devices

Allusion:

• The poem alludes to Christian theology, particularly the concept of grace and the human dependence on God for salvation.
• Vaughan's references to his "unprofitableness" echo the biblical idea of humans being unworthy servants who rely entirely on God's grace.

Imagery:

• The poem is rich in religious and natural imagery, which helps to convey the speaker's emotional and spiritual state.
• Phrases like "a broken reed" and "a barren tree" evoke a sense of fragility and unproductiveness, highlighting the speaker's despair over his spiritual condition.

Metaphor:

• Vaughan uses metaphors to describe his spiritual state, such as comparing himself to "a barren tree", emphasising his feelings of fruitlessness and failure.
• This metaphor underscores the poem's central theme of inadequacy in the face of divine expectations.

Tone:

• The tone of the poem is penitential and humble, reflecting the speaker's deep sense of unworthiness and his plea for divine forgiveness.
• This tone is consistent throughout the poem, creating a mood of sincere reflection and spiritual yearning.

Key Themes

Human Inadequacy

• The poem explores the theme of human inadequacy, focusing on the speaker's recognition of his unworthiness and the futility of his efforts without divine intervention.

"Lord, I confess my sin is great; / Great is my sin, oh gently treat"

• reflects the speaker's acknowledgement of his shortcomings.

Divine Grace and Mercy

• Vaughan emphasizes the theme of divine grace, suggesting that human efforts alone are insufficient for salvation and that one must rely entirely on God's mercy.
• The poem ends with a plea for forgiveness, highlighting the speaker's hope that God's grace will compensate for his failings.

Penitence and Spiritual Reflection

• The poem is deeply penitential, with the speaker expressing sincere remorse for his sins and a desire for spiritual renewal.
  • Vaughan's reflections mirror the broader Christian practice of confession and repentance, underscoring the importance of humility before God.

Similar Poems

• "A Hymn to God the Father" by John Donne: Like Vaughan's poem, this work explores themes of sin, repentance, and the hope for divine forgiveness, using a reflective and penitential tone.
• "The Collar" by George Herbert: Similar to Unprofitableness, Herbert's poem grapples with feelings of spiritual struggle and eventual submission to divine will, reflecting on the human condition's complexities.
• "Redemption" by George Herbert: This poem also deals with the theme of divine grace, portraying the relationship between man and God as one of profound need and dependence.

Line by Line Analysis

Lines 1-5

How rich, O Lord! how fresh thy visits are! 'Twas but just now my bleak leaves hopeless hung Sullied with dust and mud; Each snarling blast shot through me, and did share Their youth, and beauty, cold showers nipt, and wrung

"How rich, O Lord! how fresh thy visits are!"

• The speaker begins by praising the richness and vitality of God's presence, referring to divine visits as "rich" and "fresh."
• This line conveys the rejuvenating and renewing effect of God's presence in the speaker's life.

"'Twas but just now my bleak leaves hopeless hung / Sullied with dust and mud;"

• The speaker recalls a recent time when his spirit, symbolized by "bleak leaves", was hanging hopelessly and was tarnished with "dust and mud."
• This imagery suggests a state of spiritual despair and desolation, where the speaker feels lifeless and tainted by the world.

"Each snarling blast shot through me, and did share / Their youth, and beauty, cold showers nipt, and wrung"

• The speaker describes how harsh winds ("snarling blasts") tore through him, stripping away the youth and beauty of his leaves (a metaphor for his vitality).
• "Cold showers nipt, and wrung" further emphasizes the relentless trials and suffering that have drained the speaker of life and hope.

Lines 6-10

Their spiciness and blood; But since thou didst in one sweet glance survey Their sad decays, I flourish, and once more Breath all perfumes, and spice; I smell a dew like myrrh, and all the day

"Their spiciness and blood;"

• The "spiciness and blood" of the leaves refer to their life force and vitality, which have been diminished by the harsh conditions described earlier.
• This phrase emphasizes the loss of vibrancy and the deep impact of suffering on the speaker's spirit.

"But since thou didst in one sweet glance survey / Their sad decays, I flourish, and once more"

• The speaker notes that with just one "sweet glance" from God, his decaying spirit was restored, leading him to "flourish" again.
• This transformation highlights the power of divine grace, where even a single look from God can reverse spiritual decay and bring renewal.

"Breath all perfumes, and spice;"

• The speaker, now revitalized, metaphorically breathes out "perfumes and spice", symbolizing a return to spiritual richness and vitality.
• This line suggests that the speaker's life has become fragrant and pleasing, filled with the essence of spiritual renewal.

"I smell a dew like myrrh, and all the day"

• The speaker experiences a divine "dew" that smells like myrrh, a precious and fragrant resin often associated with spiritual and religious rituals.
• This imagery conveys the idea that the speaker's renewed spirit is continuously nourished and blessed by God's presence throughout the day.

Lines 11-14

Wear in my bosom a full sun; such store Hath one beam from thy eyes. But, ah, my God! what fruit hast thou of this? What one poor leaf did ever I yet fall

"Wear in my bosom a full sun; such store / Hath one beam from thy eyes."

• The speaker describes carrying a "full sun" in his bosom, a metaphor for the warmth, light, and vitality provided by a single beam from God's eyes.
• This suggests that God's gaze has filled the speaker's heart with an abundance of spiritual energy and life.

"But, ah, my God! what fruit hast thou of this?"

• The speaker suddenly questions what God gains from all this renewal and blessing, expressing concern over his lack of spiritual fruitfulness.
• This line introduces a theme of unworthiness and self-reflection, as the speaker doubts the value of his contributions to God.

"What one poor leaf did ever I yet fall"

• The speaker laments that he has not produced even a single "poor leaf" to offer to God, highlighting his feelings of inadequacy and unprofitableness.
• This metaphor underscores the speaker's sense of failing to live up to the blessings he has received.

Lines 15-18

To wait upon thy wreath? Thus thou all day a thankless weed dost dress, And when th'hast done, a stench or fog is all The odor I bequeath.

"To wait upon thy wreath?"

• The speaker questions whether any of his actions have been worthy enough to be included in God's "wreath", symbolizing an offering or tribute to divine glory.
• This line reflects the speaker's self-doubt and his perceived lack of spiritual worth.

"Thus thou all day a thankless weed dost dress,"

• The speaker compares himself to a "thankless weed" that God tends to all day, despite its lack of gratitude or worth.
• This metaphor conveys the speaker's humility and recognition of his spiritual shortcomings, feeling unworthy of God's care.

"And when th'hast done, a stench or fog is all / The odor I bequeath."

• The speaker concludes by admitting that, despite God's efforts, all he can offer in return is a "stench or fog", rather than a pleasing fragrance.
• This final line emphasizes the speaker's deep sense of unprofitableness and the contrast between God's generous grace and the speaker's inadequate response.