Critical Analysis comparing Donne

"Prayer the Churches banquet, Angels age, / Gods breath in man returning to his birth". The first line suggests that prayer is as old as the angels do and is therefore immortal. Thus an angel's age is contrasted with a man's age. Hutchinson proposes that prayer acquaints man with the blessed timeless existence of angels. The second line advocates that the breath that God gave man, is returned to God in the form of the prayer. (G. Reeves, 1971, pg 132). From line three it seems as though prayer also helps the soul to express itself more fully and clearly. Prayer is described by Herbert in a very powerful manner; "Reversed thunder, Christ-side piercing spear, /The six-daies woerld-transposing in an hour". To God, it must be as if man shoots spears of prayer back at Him, into the heavens and these sounds of Prayers are as loud as thunder. These lines hold a strong dramatic quality which is characteristic of the metaphysical poets. .
             It is interesting to see that the actual positioning of the words in the poem, are placed in such a way that one can see the silhouette of a figure kneeling and praying. This trait is typical of Herbert as it is seen in "The Altar " and "Easter Wings". This is a beautiful technique given in order to embody the poem. Not only is the poem read audibly, there is a definite visual aspect to it, which brings the text to life.
             The first three words of the poem display a forceful opening as is seen in Donne's poem "To His Mistress Going to Bed". The reader is given direct knowledge as to the content of the poem, and thereafter one is thrust into the meaning of the poems through the subtle mastery of the speech rhythm (G.Reeves, 1971, pg 13). For example the rhythm of the words in line six; ("Reversed thunder, Christ-side-piercing spear") permits the reader to actually visualise the effects of prayer being thrust upon God. Whereas, in line eight to ten; ("Softnesse, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliss"), the flowing of the "S" sounds portray a visual understanding of the tranquility in the tune of a prayer.