The Temple: Sacred Poems, and Private Ejaculations

London : T. Buck and R. Daniel , 1638. Leather. Good. 6" by 3.5". None . A very scarce fifth edition of The Temple, a collection of popular sacred poetry by George Herbert. The fifth edition of this work.Originally published in 1633, this was a popular work, going through eight editions by 1690.'The Temple' is a sacred poetical work by George Herbert that explores relationships with religion, written to reflect church order and ritual.Herbert writes with order and control to reflect the strictures of religious practices. The verses appealed to a wide readership including Charles I, who read Herbert's poems when imprisoned in Carisbrooke Castle before his execution.  All of Herbert's surviving poems include religious themes and are characterized by their directness. Visually the poems are varied being characterized by text layout. Herbert used the shape poem which had become popular in Renaissance literature. The words ebb and flow with the stanza and sentence length. Herbert uses the pattern poem technique to create something visually pleasing to the eye and ear. Herbert's work has inspired many generations including composer Issac Watts. Bound in a calf binding. Rubbing to the boards, head, and tail of the spine resulting in loss. Rubbing to the joints. Light marks to the boards. Two stab marks to front and rear boards. Internally firmly bound. Front pastedown lifted from the board but present. Marginal age toning. Bookplate to the verso of the dedication leaf. Good