Lord, with what care hast Thou begirt us round! Parents…
“Lord, with what care hast Thou begirt us round! Parents first season us; then schoolmasters deliver us to laws; they send us bound to rules of reason, holy messengers, pulpits and Sundays, sorrow dogging sin, afflictions sorted, anguish of all sizes, fine nets and stratagems to catch us in, bibles laid open, millions of surprises, blessings beforehand, ties of gratefulness, the sound of glory ringing in our ears: without, our shame; within, our consciences; angels and grace, eternal hopes and fears. Yet all these fences and their whole array one cunning bosom-sin blows quite away.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poem portrays life's stages as a series of constraints and teachings that shape moral and spiritual growth, yet ultimately reveal that divine grace surpasses all earthly measures.
In simple terms: Life's lessons and constraints lead to spiritual insight.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond external rules.
Themes
spirituality
growth
faith
humanity
divine
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
serene
Type
poetic
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- religious practice
- personal reflection
- moral decision making
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societal expectations shape your spiritual path?
- Can you find grace beyond institutional teachings?
A Different Perspective
External structures cannot fully contain the soul's yearning for divine connection.