The Poems of George Herbert

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... SAVIOUR That is all: --if that I could Get without repining-- And My clay, My creature, would Follow my resigning; That as I did freely part With My glorie and desert, Left all joyes to feel all smart-- MAN Ah, no more: Thou break'st my heart. DULNESSE Whit do I languish thus, drooping and dull, As if I were all earth? 0, give me quicknesse, that I may with mirth Praise Thee brim-full! The wanton lover in a curious strain Can praise his fairest fair, And with quaint metaphors her curled hair Curl o're again. Thou art my lovelinesse, my life, my light, Beautie alone to me; Thy bloudy death, and undeserv'd, makes Thee Pure red and white. When all perfections as but one appeare, That, those, Thy form doth shew, The very dust where Thou dost tread and go Makes beauties here. Where are my lines, then? my approaches, views? Where are my window-songs? Lovers are still pretending, and ev'n wrongs Sharpen their Muse. But I am lost in flesh, whose sugred lyes Still mock me and grow bold: Sure Thou didst put a minde there, if I could Finde where it lies. Lord, cleare Thy gift, that with a constant wit I may but look towards Thee: Look onely; for to love Thee who can be, What angel fit? LOVE-JOY As on a window late I cast mine eye, I saw a vine drop grapes with J and C Anneal'd on every bunch. One standing by Ask'd what it meant. I (who am never loth To spend my judgement) said: 'It seem'd to me To be the bodie and the letters both Of Joy and Charitie.' 'Sir, you have not miss'd, ' The man reply'd; 'it figures Jssus Christ.' PROVIDENCE O Sacred Providence, Who from end to end Strongly and sweetly movest! shall I write, And not of Thee, through Whom my fingers bend To hold my quill? shall they not do Thee right? fto Of all the creatures both in sea and.