by
George Herbert
"Redemption"
Having been tenant long to a rich lord,
Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,
And make a suit unto him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancel the old.
In heaven at his manor I him sought:
The told me there that he was lately gone
About some land, which he had dearly bought
Long since on earth, to take possession.
I straight returned, and knowing his great birth,
Sought him accordingly in great resorts,
In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts.
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth
Of thieves and murderers: there I him espied,
Who straight "Your suit is granted," said, and died.
"Affliction"
Kill me not every day,
Thou Lord of life, since thy one death for me
Is more than all my deaths can be,
Though I in broken pay
Die over each hour of Methuselah's stay.
If all men's tears were let
Into one common sewer, sea, and brine;
What were they all, compared to thine,
Wherein if they were set,
They would discolour thy most bloody sweat?
Thou art my grief alone.
Thou, Lord, conceal it not; and as thou art
All my delight, so all my smart.
Thy cross took up in one,
By way of impress, all my future moan.
"Virtue"
Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky,
The dew shall weep thy fall tonight,
For thou must die.
Sweet rose, whose hue, angry and brave,
Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,
Thy root is ever in its grave,
And thou must die.
Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses,
A box where sweets compacted lie,
My music shows ye have your closes,
All must die.
Only a sweet and virtuous soul,
Like seasoned timber, never gives,
But though the whole world turn to coal,
The chiefly lives.
More To Be Added Soon
