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When celebrated poet Wendy Cope first encountered the work of George Herbert, she was captivated by his wit, craftsmanship and depth of thought. She took to him immediately.
Herbert’s verse, playful in form yet profound in reflection, continues to speak across the centuries, uniting poetic artistry with questions of meaning, belief and the human condition.
In Dare to Be True, Cope introduces readers to Herbert’s poetry and prose with warmth and insight, illuminating his struggle between worldly ambition and spiritual purpose.
Drawing on Herbert’s friendships with John Donne and Lancelot Andrewes, she situates him within the rich world of seventeenth-century literature and faith.
From his celebrated poem Love (III) – described by Simone Weil as “the most beautiful poem in the world” – to lesser-known works revealing his honesty and humour, this collection invites a new generation to rediscover the clarity, depth and craftsmanship of Herbert’s voice.
As T. S. Eliot once wrote, Herbert is “a major poet” and in this volume, readers will see why.
Perfect for readers of poetry, literary history, and those drawn to reflections on art, faith and human experience – from Wendy Cope to T. S. Eliot and beyond.
