"Redemption," a sonnet by the Metaphysical poet George Herbert, sums up the premise of Christian faith in 14 short lines. Using the conceit of God as a landlord and humanity as a tenant farmer seeking a "new [...] lease," the poem suggests that God's generosity, kindness, and love are unlike anything else on earth: this "lord" is willing to lay down his very life to give his tenant a fresh start. "Redemption" was first published in Herbert's important posthumous collection The Temple (1633).
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The Full Text of “Redemption”
1Having been tenant long to a rich lord,
2 Not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold,
3 And make a suit unto him, to afford
4A new small-rented lease, and cancel th’ old.
5In heaven at his manor I him sought;
6 They told me there that he was lately gone
7 About some land, which he had dearly bought
8Long since on earth, to take possessiòn.
9I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,
10 Sought him accordingly in great resorts—
11 In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts:
12At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
13 Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,
14 Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died.
The Full Text of “Redemption”
1Having been tenant long to a rich lord,
2 Not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold,
3 And make a suit unto him, to afford
4A new small-rented lease, and cancel th’ old.
5In heaven at his manor I him sought;
6 They told me there that he was lately gone
7 About some land, which he had dearly bought
8Long since on earth, to take possessiòn.
9I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,
10 Sought him accordingly in great resorts—
11 In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts:
12At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
13 Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied,
14 Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died.
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“Redemption” Summary
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“Redemption” Themes
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God's Humble and Stunning Generosity
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Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “Redemption”
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Lines 1-4
Having been tenant long to a rich lord,
Not thriving, I resolvèd to be bold,
And make a suit unto him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancel th’ old. -
Lines 5-8
In heaven at his manor I him sought;
They told me there that he was lately gone
About some land, which he had dearly bought
Long since on earth, to take possessiòn. -
Lines 9-11
I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,
Sought him accordingly in great resorts—
In cities, theaters, gardens, parks, and courts: -
Lines 12-13
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
Of thieves and murderers; there I him espied, -
Lines 14-14
Who straight,
Your suit is granted,
said, and died.
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“Redemption” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language
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Conceit
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Allusion
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Imagery
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Repetition
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Pun
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Assonance
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Alliteration
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“Redemption” Vocabulary
Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.
- Resolvèd
- Make a suit
- Small-rented lease
- Sought
- Lately
- Dearly
- Possessiòn
- Straight
- Great resorts
- Mirth
- Espied
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Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Redemption”
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Form
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Meter
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Rhyme Scheme
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“Redemption” Speaker
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“Redemption” Setting
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Literary and Historical Context of “Redemption”
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More “Redemption” Resources
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External Resources
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A Brief Biography — Visit the Poetry Foundation to learn more about Herbert's short, brilliant life.
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Herbert's Influence — Read contemporary poet Wendy Cope's essay on what Herbert means to her.
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The Poem Aloud — Listen to a reading of the poem.
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The George Herbert Group — Learn more about Herbert's life and work at the website of a society dedicated to his legacy.
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The Temple — Read about the important posthumous collection in which this poem first appeared.
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A Short Documentary — Watch a brief video about Herbert, including images of his church.
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LitCharts on Other Poems by George Herbert
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