Commentary

This is one of Herbert's later poems - it appears only in the Bodleian manuscript. There can be little doubt that it is autobiographical. Having achieved the status of Public Orator of Cambridge University, he would almost certainly have had very a reasonable expectation that, like his predecessors in the rôle, he would then move on to secure a political appointment, but it wasn't happening. The poem is essentially a direct plea to his God for help in managing that expectation.

In the first two stanzas he observes that if it wasn't for the fact that God determines how he views things, he would be most concerned about the delay in securing a suitably prestigious post. He is being ironic; the subject of employment in his mid-30s is manifestly one that exercises him greatly, and to which he returns in several of his poems. He then makes the rather bold claim that his achievement of such a position would also be advantageous to God, beause it would provide a platform for spreading God's holy word - a good bargain for both parties!

However, over the next two stanzas he realises that, in focussing on his employment aspirations and complaining about his lack of progress, he is failing to accept that whatever happens to him is entirely a matter for God to decide. He also recognises that his earlier argument about any prestigious occupation being mutually beneficial doesn't bear inspection; indeed, he realises that he might not be able to keep his side of the bargain, and that actually he might be of more value to God in a less elevated occupation (the priesthood, perhaps?)

So in the final stanza he says in effect "Thy will be done", and appreciates that what he really needs is God's help to understand that whatever happens to him is for the best.

This is a very accessible poem with a simple rhyme scheme, but its message is important - it is fine to be ambitious, but ultimately the direction of our lives is in the hands of God.