Thomas Traherne

There is in us a world of Love to somewhat, though we know not what in the world that should be. There are invisible ways of conveyance by which some great thing doth touch our souls, and by which we tend to it. Do you not feel yourself drawn by the expectation and desire of some Great Thing?

Click here to view a selection from the Centuries, or click here for the full text with an introduction.

Traherne is a poet who writes not of mundane love nor transient joys, but ot the beauty of the world, become precious to him because he has glimpsed the perfection and goodness ot its Maker. Traherne learned early to marvel at and to worship “nature as the garment of God.”

Click here to view an article on Traherne’s poetry by Robert E. Doud.

Click this link to view a thesis by Sister Mary Gregory Perkins, O.S.F., on Traherne’s philosophy.