# To My Lord and Master explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker expresses a profound devotion to a divine figure, acknowledging that imagination cannot surpass this being. They see and love this presence both near and far, and in beholding its perfection, they find the strength to cast away their own misery and place their trust in it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love as Ultimate Strength

The speaker's love for the Master enables them to overcome misery and trust in divine perfection.

### Redemption and Grace

Trust in the Master's perfection allows the speaker to cast away misery, suggesting a redemptive grace.

## Character check-ins

### The Master

The Lord and Master to whom the speaker directs their devotion and trust.

## Key lines

> Imagination cannot rise above thee; Near and afar I see thee, and I love thee; My misery away from me I thrust it, For thy perfection I behold, and trust it.

My mind cannot conceive of anything greater than you; I perceive and love you everywhere, and I reject my own suffering because I see your perfect nature and place my faith in it.

_The speaker declares the supremacy of the divine Master and the transformative power of beholding their perfection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/to-my-lord-and-master
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters