[The Temple, Detail of Model]from The Temple (1633), by George Herbert:

 

¶   JEsu.

JESu is in my heart, his sacred name
Is deeply carved there: but th’other week
A great affliction broke the little frame,
Ev’n all to pieces: which I went to seek:
And first I found the corner, where was J,
After, where ES, and next where U was graved,
When I had got these parcels, instantly
I sat me down to spell them, and perceived
That to my broken heart he was I ease you,
                                And to the whole is J E S U.


Teacher’s Notes: "Jesu" is an endearing form of "Jesus" [remember "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring" by J. S. Bach ].

There is no "J" in the Latin alphabet. "I" is used instead. On public buildings, schools and government monuments, you may see "IVSTICE." The listing of the poems in the back of the 1633 edition of The Temple has no "J." All "J" and "I" poems are alphabetical under "I." George Herbert takes this convention and sees "Jesu," as "IESU."


Modern version [Chi Rho]
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