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 Book 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE WORKS 
 
 GEORGE HERBERT, 
 
 IN PROSE AND VERSE. 
 
 EDITED BY THE 
 
 REV. ROBERT ARIS WILLMOTT, 
 
 INCUMBENT OF BEAR WOOD. 
 
 WITH ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND CO., 
 
 FARRINODON STREET. 
 
 1854. 
 

 LONDON t 
 
 Haddon, Brothers, and Co., Caftle Street; Finfbury. 
 
 # 
 
 
TO 
 
 WILLIAM COOPER, 
 
 RECTOR OF RIPPINGALE, LINCOLNSHIRE : 
 THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED 
 
 BY HIS FRIEND, 
 
 R. A. WILLMOTT. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I am not aware that any Edition of Heroert's Poetry, 
 or Profe, has hitherto appeared with Notes, or Illuf- 
 trations. The prefent attempt to fupply that want, 
 may, therefore, be received with fome forbearance and 
 favour. I mould have rejoiced to track the poet's 
 footfteps, into thofe ftill paths of theological learning, 
 which he loved to frequent, and to have brought the 
 torch of the Fathers to illuminate fome of his obfcurer 
 allufions. — But the book was wanted, and time 
 prefTed. The early fpelling has been generally re- 
 tained, as harmonifing with the old-world found of 
 the language, and the mellow colour of the thoughts. 
 The Vandyck looks belt in its ancient frame. 
 
 I will only add my obligation to that ftore-houfe 
 of pleafant learning, " Notes and Queries," for one 
 or two interefting commentaries on the Author ; and 
 
VI HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 now commit him to the welcome of the reader, in 
 the affectionate words of Crafhaw, to a friend, two 
 hundred years ago.* 
 
 Know you, Faire, on what you look ; 
 
 Divineft love lies in this book : 
 
 Expe6Hng fire from your eyes, 
 
 To kindle this his Sacrifice. 
 
 When your hands untie thefe firings, 
 
 Think you've an Angel by the wings. 
 
 One that gladly will be nigh, 
 
 To wait upon each morning figh. 
 
 To flutter in the balmy air 
 
 Of your well-perfumed Prayer. 
 
 Thefe white plumes of his he'll lend you, 
 
 Which every day to heaven will fend you : 
 
 To take acquaintance of the fphere, 
 
 And all the fmooth-faced kindred there. 
 
 And though Herbert's name do owe 
 
 Thefe devotions, Faireft $ know 
 
 That while I lay them on the fhrine 
 
 Of your white hand, they are mine. 
 
 St. Catherine's, Bear Wood. 
 Dec. 22, 1853. 
 
 * Steps to the Temple, 1646. 
 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 When the vifitor to Cambridge enters the Ante- 
 Chapel of Trinity College, he meets two objects of 
 the deepeft intereft in Art and Science : the mar- 
 vellous ftatue of Newton, and the fitting figure of 
 Bacon. If he raife his eyes to the painted windows, a 
 different train of thought is awakened. One group 
 efpecially attracts and detains him. It is a fcene at 
 Bethany in the houfe of that family whom Jefus loved ; 
 among the company gathered around Him appears a 
 face, familiar to moft ftudents of the fweet and ferious 
 learning of the feventeenth century ; it is that of 
 George Herbert, to whom, after fo many years, his 
 own College has confecrated this memorial. 
 
 The circumftances of his life are neither many, nor 
 varied. He was born — one of ten children — April 3rd, 
 1593, in the Caftle of Montgomery in Wales. He 
 came of a bold and noble race. There is at Penfhurft 
 a portrait of his brother, Lord Edward, painted by 
 
VI11 HERBERTS WORKS. 
 
 Ifaac Oliver, which (hows a fwarthy countenance, 
 with dark eyes and exceedingly black hair. The 
 poet's father had the fame complexion; he died in 
 1597, leaving George, in his fourth year, to the care of 
 his mother. He remained, with two of his brothers, 
 under a private tutor, until he was fent to Weftminfter 
 School ; from whence, at the age of fifteen, he was 
 elected to Trinity College, Cambridge, where his 
 name appears among the Scholars, May 5, 1609. 
 " In Cambridge we may find our George Herbert's 
 behaviour to be fuch, that we may conclude, he con- 
 fecrated the firft fruits of his early age to virtue, and 
 a ferious ftudy of learning." So writes good Ifaak 
 Walton. Nor is there reafon to doubt the affectionate 
 panegyrift. Herbert's advance in academic rank was 
 encouraging and rapid. Within two years after the 
 taking of his Bachelor's degree, he was chofen a Fellow 
 of the Society; and on the 21ft of October, 1619, 
 he obtained the diftinguifhed poft of Public Orator, 
 vacated by Sir Francis Netherfole, who was then 
 politically employed on the Continent. It was an 
 office, according to Fuller, of more honour than 
 profit, the original falary being only forty millings 
 a year. It dates its beginning from the early 
 part of the 16th century, before which period rhe- 
 torical aid was procured as it was wanted, the fcribe 
 being paid by the letter. In Herbert's time the 
 annual income was about thirty pounds. But the 
 attractions of the Oratorfhip did not lie on its pecuniary 
 
INTRODUCTION. IX 
 
 fide. It was a high road to court life. A former 
 Orator, Sir Robert Naunton, had been made a Secre- 
 tary of State, and Herbert cherifhed hopes of reaping a 
 , fimilar reward. Barnabas Oley had heard that he 
 might have obtained the fituation, but " that, like a 
 genuine fon of Levi, he balked all fecular ways, faw 
 neither father nor mother, child nor brother, faith nor 
 friends, (fave in Chrift Jefus,) chofe the Lord for his 
 fervice, and His fervice for employment." 
 
 Walton gives a truer, though a lefs flattering ex- 
 planation. a In this time of Mr. Herbert's attendance 
 and expectation of fome good occafion to remove from 
 Cambridge to Court, God, in whom there is an unfeen 
 chain of caufes, did, in a fhort time, put an end to the 
 lives of two of his moft obliging and moft powerful 
 friends, Lodowick, Duke of Richmond, and James, 
 Marquis of Hamilton ; and not long after him, King 
 James died alfo, and with them all Mr. Herbert's court 
 hopes, fo that he betook himfelf to a retreat from 
 London to a friend in Kent, where he lived very pri- 
 vately, and was fuch a lover of folitarinefs, he was 
 judged to impair his health more than his ftudy had 
 done." Some earnefl: of future favours his learned in- 
 genuity had already acquired; for in 1623 he received 
 from James a valuable " finecure," which his prede- 
 ceflbr had formerly bellowed on Sir Philip Sidney. 
 But a brighter day was dawning. He fought and 
 found a more enduring Sovereign. The date of his 
 Ordination has not been difcovered ; but in the fummer 
 
 
X HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 of 1626 (July 15), the haughty, though generous 
 Bifhop Williams gave to him the Prebend of Leighton 
 Ecclefia, in the diocefe of Lincoln. Oley informs us 
 that " becaufe he lived far from and fo could not per- 
 form the duties of that place, he would fain have 
 refigned it to Mafter Ferrar, but Matter F. wholly re- 
 fufed, and diverted, or directed his charity to the re- 
 edifying the ruined church of Leighton, where the 
 corpfe of the Prebend lay." 
 
 Leighton is a village in Huntingdonfhire, near Spald- 
 wick, and the church ftands to the right of the road 
 from Huntingdon to Thrapfton. A vifitor, in 185 1, 
 has furnifhed fome interefting particulars.* The 
 church is compofed of a weftern tower, with porches, 
 tranfepts, and a chancel. Herbert, in his capacity or 
 Prebendary, became a proprietor in the Parifh, and 
 probably applied the income which he derived from it 
 to the reftoration of the edifice ; but the alterations are 
 faid to have been lefs extenfive than the narrative of 
 Walton implies. The old walls remain. The chief 
 outlay was upon a new roof, and in repairing the parts 
 of the church then occupied by the congregation. 
 The feats are of oak, open, in the ftyle of the 17th 
 century. The tower, the font, and fome windows in 
 the chancel were contributed by Herbert. A gallery, 
 erected for an organ in 1840, has flightly difarranged 
 the fymmetry, and high pews have replaced the old 
 benches in the chancel. The pulpit and reading defk, 
 
 * Notes and Qjueries, iii. 178. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XI 
 
 {landing North and South, correfpond in every par- 
 ticular. The font is extremely fhallow, no texts of 
 fcripture adorn the walls ; but traces were found of the 
 poor man's box having been formerly fixed " to the 
 back of the bench neareft to the fouth door." The 
 tower is battlemented, and commands a pleafing prof- 
 peel: over fifteen or fixteen villages. By the aid of a 
 glafs, the magnificent pile of Ely Cathedral, nearly 
 thirty miles off*, may be difcerned. One ornamental 
 fpout bears the date of 1632. Three crefts were 
 noticed, but they could not be clearly deciphered. 
 The family device of the Herberts did not appear; 
 nor has the reftorer left behind him any record of his 
 own munificence, or of the generous charity to which 
 he ftirred up his relations and friends. In 1627, Her- 
 bert loft his mother, after a long feafon of fuffering which 
 his tendernefs did much to foften. " For myfelf, dear 
 mother," he had written to her fome years earlier, 
 " I always feared ficknefs more than death, becaufe 
 ficknefs hath made me unable to perform thofe offices 
 for which I came into the world, and muft yet be kept 
 in it ; but you are freed from that fear, who have al- 
 ready abundantly difcharged that part, having both 
 ordered your family and fo brought up your children > 
 that they have attained to the years of difcretion and 
 competent maintenance ; fo that now, if they do not 
 well, the fault cannot be charged on you, whofe exam- 
 ple and care of them will juftify you both to the world, 
 and your own confeience ; infomuch, that whether you 
 
XU HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 turn your thoughts on the life paft, or on the joys that 
 are to come ; you have ftrong prefervations againft all 
 difquiet." 
 
 Soon after his mother's death his own weak health 
 grew weaker, and a {harp ague drove him to feek eafe 
 in the pleafant village of Woodford, in Effex, where 
 his brother Henry lived. There he abode about a 
 year, becoming his own Phyfician, and curing his dis- 
 order by abftinence from c drink,' and all frefh meat. 
 But, as in other cafes, the remedies were worfe than the 
 difeafe ; figns of confumption beginning to mew them- 
 felves, a different climate was recommended ; and 
 he fought it at Dauntfey, in Wiltfhire, the houfe 
 of Lord Danby, by whom he was affectionately 
 welcomed and entertained. In this choice air, as 
 Aubrey calls it, by avoiding fevere ftudy, and partak- 
 ing of cheerful exercife and fociety, his health returned. 
 A new fcene was now to open before him. There 
 lived at Bainton, in the fame county, a kinfman of 
 Lord Danby, — Mr. Charles Danvers. He had nine 
 daughters, of whom Jane was his favourite. To her 
 he had often fpoken of Herbert, and promifed a double 
 blefling upon the union that he hoped to fee. It happened 
 that Mr. Danvers died before Herbert's vifit to Daunt- 
 fey ; but as we learn from Walton, Jane " became fo 
 much a Platonick as to fall in love with Mr. Herbert 
 unfeen." The fmalleft fpark would light fuch a train. 
 The only obftacle was the want of acquaintance. This 
 was eafily removed. Some mutual friends procured a 
 
INTRODUCTION. XUl 
 
 meeting ; and within three days of the firft interview 
 Jane Danvers changed her name into Herbert. 
 
 If Herbert, whofe mem ry was ftored with proverbs, 
 called to mind the wife faw about c marrying in hafle,' 
 he never pointed the moral of it with his own experi- 
 ence. He had more caufe for rejoicing, than repenting 
 at leifure. Walton fweetly portrays the charm and 
 bleflednefs of his wedded-life. " The Eternal Lover 
 of mankind made them happy in each other's mutual 
 and equal affections and compliance ; indeed, fo happy 
 that there never was any oppofition betwixt them, 
 unlefs it were a conteft which mould moft incline to a 
 compliance with the other's defires." 
 
 About three months after the marriage, Dr. Curie, 
 being elevated to the See of Bath and Wells, refigned 
 the re&ory of Bemerton, which acccordingly pafied 
 from the Patron, Lord Pembroke, to the King ; but 
 when the Earl afked it for Herbert, his requeft met 
 with a kind anfwer. The good news reached him at 
 Bainton, where he was flaying with his wife's relatives, 
 and foon afterwards being joined by Mr. Arthur 
 Woodnot, his old dear friend, he fet out for Wilton. 
 The cure of fouls lay heavy upon his mind, and he 
 was in doubt whether to accept, or decline it. Lord 
 Pembroke, feeling unequal to combat his fcruples, 
 adopted the wife refolution of laying them before Laud, 
 then Bifhop of London. The refult mould be told in 
 the words of Walton. "The Bifhop did the next 
 day fo convince Mr. Herbert, That the refujal of it 
 
XIV HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 was a fin, that a tailor was fent for to come fpeedily 
 from Salifbury to Wilton, to take meafure, and make 
 him canonical clothes againft next day ; which the 
 tailor did. And Mr. Herbert, being fo habited, went 
 with his prefentation to the learned Dr. Davenant, 
 who was then Bifhop of Salifbury, and he gave him 
 inftitution immediately ; and he was alfo the fame day, 
 (which was April 26th, 1630), inducted into the good 
 and more pleafant than healthful Parfonage of Bemer- 
 ton." An interefting ftory is related of the ceremony. 
 Being left in the church to toll the bell, as the law 
 required him to do, he wearied the patience of his. 
 friends at the door, and one of them, looking in at the 
 window, faw the new re£tor lying before the Altar. 
 They afterwards knew the caufe of the delay, when 
 they heard that he had been fetting rules for the 
 government of his paftoral life, and making a vow to 
 keep them. 
 
 His parifh gave him ample occupation. The church 
 needed repairs, and the parfonage had fallen into decay, 
 his predeceffor having refided hi a diftant village. 
 The larger portion of the houfe he rebuilt at his own 
 expenfe, recommending his fucceflor to cultivate liberal 
 and grateful feelings in an infcription fet over the 
 chimney in the hall, where it is no longer to be found. 
 
 The Re£tory is only feparated from the church by 
 the width of the road, a diftance now of thirty-four, 
 and in Herbert's time of forty feet. A grafs-plot 
 flopes down to the river, commanding a fine view of 
 
INTRODUCTION. XV 
 
 Salifbury Cathedral. A pleafing anecdote is told in 
 connection with this garden. Norris became the 
 reftor of Bemerton nearly fixty years after the death 
 of Herbert. He was there upon one occafion vifited 
 by Mr. Colborne, the early friend of the poet Young. 
 The fpire rifing above the trees drew from him an 
 exclamation of furprife :— " What a magnificent ftruc- 
 ture ! You are happy, Sir, in this delightful profpecV' 
 " Yes," anfwered Norris, with melancholy humour, 
 " It is all the profpecT: I have with refpecT: to that 
 Cathedral." A medlar, which tradition fays was 
 planted by the poet, ftill flourifhes in the garden. 
 
 If Herbert's life had been prolonged, we may con- 
 clude that the church would have been reftored with 
 fome regard to the beauty of holinefs. It was always 
 a very humble building, and is only forty-five feet long 
 by eighteen in width.* The fouth and weft windows, 
 of the ftyle called Decorated, are afligned to the 
 beginning of the fourteenth century. The eaft window 
 is modern, and the old fittings have been removed. 
 The decorated windows, font, and bell are probably 
 the only remaining obje&s that met the eye of 
 Herbert. 
 
 His paftoral labours were crowded into the fpace of 
 two years and a few months. Every reader remembers 
 the defcription of his daily prayer, and how " fome of the 
 meaner fort of his parifh did fo love and reverence Mr. 
 Herbert, that they would let their plough reft when 
 
 * Notes and Queries, ii. 460. 
 
XVI HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 his faint's bell rung to prayer, that they might alfo offer 
 their devotion to God with him, and would then return 
 back to their plough," thinking themfelves the happier 
 for the bleffing <"hey carried away. Circumftances, 
 altogether independent of his own character and piety, 
 helped to quicken the devotional reverence of the 
 people. The population of the Parifh, embracing the 
 villages of Bemerton, Fugglefton, and Quidhampton, 
 does not exceed fix hundred perfons. Bemerton 
 contains about one hundred and fifty.* In Herbert's 
 time the number was confiderably fmaller. Perhaps 
 twenty cottages fheltered his flock, for a curate watched 
 over the remoter diftricts. Paftoral fuperintendence 
 would thus be eafy and effective. A mc~e important 
 key to his influence is to be found in his rank. He was 
 the kinfman of the Pembrokes, whofe fplendid manfion 
 ftands within a walk of the Parfonage. In that day, a 
 man of family was fuppofed to honour the Church by 
 entering it. Barnabas Oley drew out a catalogue of 
 dignified perfons who had received Orders, and he even 
 remembered, with evident fatiffaction, to have read that 
 Henry VIII. was defigned by his father for the Arch- 
 bifhopric of Canterbury, if his brother Arthur had lived 
 to fucceed to the Crown. If we read Jeremy Collier's 
 EfTays on Pride and the Office of a Chaplain, we are 
 ftruck by the phenomenon of a learned man fitting 
 down to prove, with the help of logic, that " a Prielr, 
 
 * As I am obligingly informed by the prefent re&or, the Rev. 
 W. R. Pigott. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XV11 
 
 or a Chaplain in a family, is not a fervant."* Oley 
 had no hefitation in affirming that the fpiritual advan- 
 tages of a nobleman, or a gentleman, over a Clerk of 
 lower parentage, are very confiderable ; the truth 
 taught being fooner believed, the reproof beftowed 
 better received, and the example fhewn making a 
 deeper impreffion. At a later period it was fuppofed 
 that a Prieft and a gentleman were diftinct characters, 
 and that courtefy had no relationfhip to learning. 
 Thus we find Sir William Temple fpeaking of an 
 Englifh and a French book, as " one writ by a divine^ 
 the other by a gentleman ," and Lord Shaftefbury re- 
 marking, that " a faint-author leaft values politenefs," 
 and fcorns to reform his temper by the ftandard of good 
 company, or the rule of manners. 
 
 Herbert's acceptance of a Benefice was efteemed a 
 condefcenfion by his contemporaries — "He was none 
 of the nobles of Tekoa, who at the building of Jeru- 
 falem put not their necks to the work of the Lord" was 
 the commentary of Fuller. His perfonal gifts added a 
 luftre to his inherited. He would gain a grace from 
 every comparifon with his rural brethren, of whom we 
 catch a glimpfe in the remark of Walton, that if Her- 
 bert " were at any time too zealous in his fermons, it 
 was either in reproving the ill behaviour of congrega- 
 tions, or of thofe ministers that huddled up the church 
 prayers without a vifible reverence and affe&ion — 
 namely, fuch as feemed to fay the Lord's Prayer or colled 
 
 * Effays, Third Edition- 1698. 
 b 
 
xviii Herbert's works. 
 
 in a breath ." How he laboured in this happy corner 
 of the Lord's field, hoping all things, and blefling all 
 people, afking his own way to Sion, and fhowing it to 
 others, — we read in the artlefs page of Walton. But 
 not long was he to fing his fong in a ftrange land. 
 While any portion of ftrength remained, he continued 
 to read prayers twice every day, as his cuftom had been, 
 and when he felt himfelf no longer equal to that labour 
 of love, he refigned it to his Curate. About a month 
 before his death, Mr. Duncon, fubfequently Rector of 
 Fryer Barnet, Middlefex, came to vifit him, and fpeak- 
 ing to Walton of the interview, after an interval of 
 nearly forty years, he declared that the pious difcourfe, 
 and the meek demeanour of Herbert were ftill frefti in 
 his memory. Mr. Duncon's place was fupplied by an 
 older and dearer friend, Mr. Woodnot, who never left 
 the fick man until He who gives His beloved fleep had 
 taken him. 
 
 The fetting of the fun was as calm as its mining 
 had been, only of a richer hue. The wife of Herbert, 
 his three nieces, and Mr. Woodnot flood befide him, 
 while in his own words " He paffed a conflict with his 
 laft enemy, and overcame him by the merits of his 
 matter, Jefus." His laft words were, " Lord, forfake 
 me not now my ftrength faileth me ; but grant me 
 mercy for the merits of my Jefus. And now, Lord, 
 Lord, now receive my foul." And fo his Father in 
 heaven took His child to his own home. 
 
 The following entry in the Regifter of Bemerton is 
 the lateft record of one of God's moft devoted chil- 
 
INTRODUCTION. XIX 
 
 dren : — " Mr. George Herbert, Esq., Parfon of 
 Foughlefton and Bemerton, was buried 3 day of 
 March, 1632." 
 
 Few faces are better known than Herbert's, with 
 its auftere fweetnefs, and the evident marks of inward 
 decline. In perfon he is defcribed, by Walton, as tall, 
 and unufually thin, but cheerful in look, and always 
 attracting friends and ftrangers by the elegance and 
 the benignity of his manner and addrefs. He ftands 
 amid a group of Engliih worthies remarkable for their 
 perfonal and hiftoric intereft. The eloquent Donne 
 was one of his deareft friends ; he knew the accom- 
 plifhments of Wotton, and the learned cafuiftry of 
 Sanderfon ; the firft portion of Hooker's wonderful 
 treatife appeared while he was in his cradle ; and his 
 childifh fancy was enriched by the EfTays of Bacon. 
 With Ben Jonfon, who furvived him about five years, 
 he was likely to be acquainted. Shakfpere he had pro- 
 bably ken in fome feftive interval of Cambridge life ; 
 for that illuftrious poet did not retire from London be- 
 fore 161 1, when Herbert was eighteen years old. In 
 this fplendid company of theologians, philofophers, and 
 poets, he wore an expreflion and a coftume of his own. 
 I If his Court views had been realifed, we might have 
 expected to have feen blended in him Sidney's chivalry, 
 iand the picturefque foppery of Raleigh. He was only 
 kven years younger than the hero of Zutphen, to 
 whom in temperament he feems to have fhown a 
 remarkable refemblance. 
 
 b 2 
 
XX HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 We are to confider Herbert as a Poet, a Paftor, 
 and a writer of Profe. His poetical reputation was 
 wider and greater than Milton's. Within a few years 
 twenty thoufand copies of the c Temple' were fold. 
 Cowley alone outwent him in popularity ; one 
 being the laureate of religious, as the other was of 
 fafhionable life. The hiftory of his poems is moft 
 touching and beautiful. In his laft ficknefs, he pre- 
 fented them to a friend in thefe words : " Sir, I pray 
 deliver this little Book to my dear brother Ferrar, and 
 tell him, he mall find in it a picture of the many fpirit- 
 ual conflicts that have parted betwixt God and my 
 foul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus 
 my master ; in whofe fervice I have now found per- 
 fect freedom ; defire him to read it ; and then, if he 
 can think it may turn to the advantage of any poor 
 dejected foul, let it be made public ; if not, let him 
 burn it, for I and it are lefs than the leaft of God's 
 mercies." 
 
 The publication of the Temple produced an imme- 
 diate impreffion. Henry Vaughan, whofe rough lines 
 abound in touches of a quaint and fuggeftive fancy, 
 obferves, in reference to the impure verfes of the day : 
 " The firft, that with any effectual fuccefs, attempted 
 a diverfion of this foul and overflowing ftream, was 
 the bleflfed man, Mr. George Herbert, whofe holy life 
 and verfe gained many pious converts ; of whom I am 
 the leaft 5 and gave the firft check to a moft flourifhing 
 and admired Wit of his time."* 
 
 * Preface to Silex Scintilians, p. 58. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXI 
 
 Herbert belongs to that third Italian fchool, which 
 was to occupy a chapter in Gray's hiftory of poetry, 
 as he communicated the plan to Warton. It was a 
 school, in his opinion, full of conceit, beginning in the 
 reign of Elizabeth ; continued under James and 
 Charles the Firft, by Donne, Crafhaw, and Cleveland ; 
 carried to its height by Cowley, and ending with 
 Sprat. Herbert was certainly a difciple. Complicated 
 metaphors abound. The poems of that age recall the 
 mechanical contrivances of the eccentric Mr. Win- 
 ftanley, the firft architect of the Eddyftone Light- 
 houfe. In his ftrange abode nothing was what it 
 feemed to be. An old flipper upon the floor ftarted 
 into a fpecTral figure ; a vifitor refting in a chair, 
 was fuddenly embraced by two mufcular arms ; or 
 fauntering into a fummer-houfe, ftraightway found 
 himfelf floating away into the middle of a Canal. The 
 poetical furprifes of Herbert are fometimes equa'.y 
 unexpected, and it muft be confeffed, not lefs inge- 
 nious. The reader's eye is perpetually ftruck with a 
 a tranfformation, or a grotefque invention. 
 
 Even the friendly tafte of Mr. Keble* was offended 
 by the conftant flutter of his fancy, for ever hovering 
 round and round the theme. But this was a peculiarity 
 which the molt gifted writers admired. Dryden openly 
 avowed that nothing appeared more beautiful to him 
 than the imagery in Cowley, which fome readers con- 
 demned. It muft, at leaft, be faid in praife of this 
 
 * Praele&iones Academicae, xx. 12. 
 
XXH HERBERTS WORKS. 
 
 creative playfulnefs, that it is a quality of the intellect 
 Angularly fprightly and buoyant ; it ranges over a 
 boundlefs landfcape, pierces into every corner, and, by 
 the light of its own fire — to adopt a phrafe of Temple 
 — difcovers a thoufand little bodies, or images in the 
 world, unfeen by common eyes, and only manifefted by 
 the rays of that poetic fun. 
 
 There is in Herbert another fort of quaintnefs, which 
 is neither the fruit of his age, nor of his own under- 
 ftanding, but of the authors whom he ftudied. " He 
 that reads Mr. Herbert's poems attendingly, fhall find 
 the excellence of Scripture Divinity, and choice paf- 
 fages of the Fathers bound up in metre." If James 
 Montgomery* had confidered this remark of Barnabas 
 Oley, he would have hefitated to see " devotion itfelf 
 turned into mafquerade " by the poet. Herbert did not 
 forget to confult, for his outpourings of heart-praife and 
 love, that commonplace book of Greek and Latin 
 theology which the Country Parfon is recommended 
 to collect and ponder. Many of his curiofities of 
 fancy have a Patriftic, rather than a poetic anceftry, 
 and are to be fought in Chryfoftom or Cyprian, inftead 
 of in Donne, or Marini. 
 
 Every true work of art, whether it be of the pencil, 
 the chifel, or the pen, addrefTes itfelf to particular 
 fympathies. Of courfe, there will be a certain out- 
 ward excellence which the univerfal tafte cannot fail to 
 understand and admire. I fpeak of the inner and 
 
 * Chriftian Poet, p. 258. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXJli 
 
 the hidden charm. The beauty of Raffaelle's Madonna 
 reveals itfelf very differently to the critic and the wor- 
 fhipper. Milton may be admired by the common 
 reader, for his grandeur of fentiment \ but it is only 
 through the fpedtacles of books that the fplendour and 
 the lovelinefs of his vifions are clearly difcerned. Now, 
 Herbert has, according to his degree, the diftin&ive 
 peculiarities of Raffaelle and Milton. His fweetnefs 
 of fancy, his vigorous fenfe, and his happinefs of idiom 
 may be appreciated by all people ; juft as the grace and 
 the dignity of the picture and the epic come home to 
 theleaft refined obferver. But there is a remoter and 
 a delightfuller quality, that requires a kindred heart to 
 comprehend it. Herbert is pre-eminently a poet of the 
 Chirch ; his fimiles are drawn from her ceremonial ; 
 his moft folemn thoughts are born of her myfteries ; 
 hi; tenderer!: leffons are taught by her prayers. To a 
 reader without a deep Catholic devotion, he is only the 
 ingenious or the fantaftic rhymer \ to one who has that 
 reeling, his verfes are the firings of a mufical inftru- 
 ment, making melody in themfelves, and awaking fweet 
 founds in the hearts of thofe who hear it. 
 
 There is a paflage in one of Southey's letters that 
 feems very forcibly to illuftrate this view.* Speaking 
 of Wordfworth, he afks, " Does he not affociate more 
 feeling with particular phrafes, and you alfo with him, 
 than thofe phrafes convey to any one elfe ? This I 
 
 * Life by his Son, ii. 191. 
 
XXIV HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 fufpect. Who would part with a ring of a dead 
 friend's hair ? And yet a jeweller will give for it only 
 the value of the gold." This is juft the cafe with 
 Herbert. His verfes are not to be tolTed into the fcale, 
 and weighed. There is the hair of the dead Friend in 
 the gold. The Gofpel confecrates every rhyme. The 
 Liturgy is reflected in nearly every devout fentiment. 
 The poem on " Sin " is almoft a Collect in its majeftic 
 harmony, and fimplenefs of language. The " Sacri- 
 fice" has quite a Scriptural folemnity of grouping and 
 reprefentation. 
 
 A remarkable charm of Herbert's poetry is feer in 
 what may be named — the proverbial philofophy of 
 common fenfe. All the famous writers of that, and 
 the former century, abounded in it; whether we take 
 up the Apologies and Defences of Jewell; the Efiays 
 of Bacon; or the exhortations of Taylor. The quan- 
 tity of plain, practical wifdom for every-day life, 
 treasured up in the verfes of Herbert, has fcarcely been 
 confidered. The Church Porch is a little hand-book of 
 rules for the management of temper, and converfation, 
 and bufinefs. Every child ought to get it by heart. It 
 recalls the comparifon by which Plato characterifed 
 Socrates. The outfide of the vafe is fcrawled over 
 with odd fhapes and waiting, but within are precious 
 liquors, and healing medicines, and rare mixtures of far- 
 gathered herbs and flowers. In connection with 
 this moralifing difpofition may be mentioned a certain 
 familiar humour, fuddenly mooting gleams acrofs a 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXV 
 
 ferious pafTage, and very ftrongly reminding us of the 
 pleafantry of Cowper. In the following pages the 
 reader will be ftruck by a playfulnefs, that looks like a 
 thoughtful fmile from Wefton. 
 
 The mafculine fenfe of Herbert has drawn eyes that 
 were fkilful enough to avoid his faults. " From the 
 dregs of Crafhaw, of Carew, of Herbert, and others 
 (for it is well known he was a great reader of all thofe 
 poets), Pope has judicioufly collected gold." So writes 
 DnWartom* From Crafhaw Pope might gather fo me 
 fuel to feed that devotional flame which burns fo vehe- 
 mently in his Eloifa ; but in Herbert he obtained, what 
 he knew better than any of his contemporaries how to 
 ufe, an ample ftore of practical wifdom terfely uttered. 
 His difcoveries were not confined to loofe gold in the 
 rubbifh \ he found pieces of it worked up into an 
 elegance of form, which he himfelf could not improve. 
 Many lines in the Temple have the polifli and the 
 glitter of the Moral Effays ; and not feldom the ftruc- 
 ture of his own couplet, and the identical paufe of the 
 caefura are anticipated. 
 
 The characteriftic of Herbert's fancy is fruitfulnefs. 
 The poetry, like the theology of that age, put all learn- 
 ing into an abridgment. A courfe of lectures flowed 
 into the rich eflence of a fingle fermon. A month's 
 feed bloomed in an ode. The 17th was the contra- 
 diction of the 19th century, the object being then to 
 
 * Eflay on Pope, i. 85. 
 
XXVI HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 give the moft thought in the fmalleft fpace, as now to 
 fow the wideft field with the frugalleft corn. Herbert's 
 cc Pilgrimage " is an example. Written, probably, 
 before Bunyan was born, — certainly while he was an 
 infant, — it contains all the Progrefs of the Pilgrim in 
 outline. We are fhewn the gloomy Cave of Defpera- 
 tion, the Rock of Pride, the Mead of Fancy, the Copfe 
 of Care, the Wild Heath where the Traveller is robbed 
 of his gold, and the gladfome Hill that promifes a fair 
 profpecl:, but only yields a lake of brackifh water on 
 the top. Such a compofition would fcarcely efcape 
 the notice of that Spenfer of the people, who afterwards 
 gave breadth and animation, and figures to the fcene. 
 
 The language of Herbert cannot be too highly 
 praifed — however diftant the thought may be, the ex- 
 preffion of it is, with very few exceptions, pure, racy, 
 and idiomatic, He had evidently been a loving and a 
 conftant hearer, or reader of Shakefpere, whofe Plays 
 appeared in his childhood, and were, doubtlefs, the 
 delight of his eyes during the fhort fummer-day of his 
 courtly hopes, and the frequent fubjecT: of talk at Wil- 
 ton. Many paffages might be quoted ; but the Shakef- 
 perian tone will be recognized in the following : — 
 
 How neatly do we give one only name 
 To parent's iiTue, and the Sun's bright ftar ! 
 A Ion is light and fruit ; a fruitful flame 
 Chafing the father's dimnefs. 
 
 And ftill more diftinctly in the next, — 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXV11 
 
 My comforts drop and melt away like fnow j 
 I make my head, and all the thoughts and ends 
 Which my fierce youth did bandy, fall and flow 
 Like leaves about me, or like fummer friends, 
 Flies of eftate and mnfhine. 
 
 The beautiful phrafe — " Summer Friends" — was in- 
 troduced by Gray into his Hymn on Adverflty. Once 
 more : — 
 
 Art thou a magiftrate ? then be fevere : 
 If ftudious, copy fair what time hath blurred. 
 Redeem Truth from his jaws j if foldier, 
 Chafe brave employments with a naked fword 
 Throughout the world. 
 
 Pages might eafily be filled with inftances of feli- 
 citous words and phrafes. In the Poem on Providence 
 we have the " leaning " elephant, afterwards exhibited 
 by Thomfon in his magnificent landfcape : — 
 
 Peaceful, beneath primeval trees that call 
 Their ample made o'er Niger's yellow ftream, 
 And where the Ganges rolls his facred wave, 
 High-railed in folemn theatre around, 
 Leans the huge elephant. 
 
 Summer, 721. 
 
 Herbert's verfifi cation is frequently affe£ted by his 
 manner of thinking. The compreflion of thought 
 caufes harfhnefs. Sometimes the rhythm drags with a 
 
XXV111 HERBERT S WORKS. 
 
 flow, jolting, uneven ftep, making the reader to re- 
 member Walpole's criticifm of an Ode, amended by 
 Mafon, which, he told him, had a fudden fink, like a 
 man with one leg fhorter than the other. But not 
 feldom the harmony is foft and flowing, and lovely 
 fancies are chanted to their own mufic. The " Flower," 
 " Virtue," and " Gratefulnefs," are exquifite fpecimens 
 of this clafs. 
 
 The poetry and the profe of Herbert differ as much 
 as Cowley's. He has not, indeed, left any compofition 
 to be compared with the delightful Eflays ; but he pof- 
 fefTed a large fhare of the fame frefhnefs, gaiety, and 
 eafe. If we had the manufcripts that perifhed in the 
 flames of Highnam Houfe, we might propofe a nearer 
 parallel. But Fuller juftly pronounced even his re- 
 mains to be fhavings of gold. The Country Parfon 
 is deftined to live. Among the few Englifh writings 
 of a practical clafs, between 1600 and 1650, and yet 
 retaining a reputation, Mr. Hallam* places this treatife 
 of Herbert ; which he judges to be " on the whole, a 
 pleafing little book," but, " with the precepts fome- 
 times fo overftrained, as to give an air of affectation." 
 This is faint praife ; and the cenfure is refuted by the 
 Work itfelf. The author informs us, that he wrote 
 it with a view to his own fpiritual improvement, draw- 
 ing the form and character of a true Paftor, that he 
 might have a mark to aim at ; and fetting it as high a> 
 
 * Literature of Europe, iii. 129. 
 
INTRODUCTION. XXIX 
 
 he could, fince " he fhoots higher that threatens the 
 moon, than he that aims at a tree." 
 
 Herbert muft be confidered to have fulfilled his 
 defign. The epidemics of one age require a different 
 treatment from thofe of another. The cure of the 
 paft fails in the prefent. The popular difeafe, in the 
 former half of the 17th century, was the degraded con- 
 dition of the country Clergy. It had almoft become 
 chronic. There could be no inftrucTiion where there 
 was no refpe£t. Such fhepherds neither guided nor 
 fed their flocks. Herbert's object was two-fold ; to 
 raife the teacher and to win the people ; the former 
 leflbn he mewed by precept, the fecond by example. 
 He painted the portrait of the Good Parfon, and was 
 himfelf the original. His views of the pafroral office, 
 even in the rudeft country hamlet, were lofty and 
 glowing ; and he recommended the ftudy of Plato 
 for the fake of acquiring the dexterity of Socrates, and 
 applying it to the common intercourfe and teaching of 
 a Parifh. He was a burning and a mining light in his 
 own time, and he ftill flieds a foftened luftre over 
 ours. Such men ennoble their brethren, by the 
 beautiful union of all that is practical, with whatever 
 is graceful in life. In them nothing is harm or repul- 
 five. The auftere raiment is bound with a fair girdle. 
 Sanderfon fings pfalms to his own mufic -, Ken warbles 
 hymns before he lleeps ; Herbert delights to fet an- 
 thems to his lute 5 and Wotton bequeaths his viol to a 
 friend. 
 
xxx Herbert's works. 
 
 O could we copy their mild virtues, then 
 What joy to live, what bleffednefs to die ! 
 Methinks their very names mine Hill and bright j 
 Apart — like glow-worms on a fummer night : 
 Or lonely tapers, when from far they fling 
 A guiding-ray 5 or feem, like ftars on high, 
 Satellites burning in a lucid ring.* 
 
 * Wordsworth, iv. 102. 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 
 
 Page 
 
 
 Page 
 
 Dedication 
 
 . iii. 
 
 The Holy Communion 45 
 
 Preface. 
 
 v. 
 
 Antiphon 
 
 • 47 
 
 Life of Herbert 
 
 . vii. 
 
 Love (1) 
 
 47 
 
 The Church — 
 
 
 Love (2) 
 
 . 48 
 
 The Dedication 
 
 1 
 
 The Temper 
 
 49 
 
 The Church Porch (Per- 
 
 The Temper 
 
 50 
 
 rihanterrum) 
 
 1 
 
 Jordan 
 
 5* 
 
 The Church (Superlimi- 
 
 Employment 
 
 5i 
 
 nare) 
 
 . 17 
 
 The Holy Sepulchre (1) 52 
 
 The Altar 
 
 . 18 
 
 The Holy Sepulchre (2) 53 
 
 The Sacrifice 
 
 . 18 
 
 Whit Sunday 
 
 54 
 
 The Thankfgiving . 28 
 
 Grace 
 
 55 
 
 The Reprifall 
 
 • 2 9 
 
 Praife 
 
 56 
 
 The Agonie 
 
 . 30 
 
 Affli&ion 
 
 57 
 
 The Sinner 
 
 . 31 
 
 Mattens 
 
 57 
 
 Good Friday 
 
 • 3i 
 
 Sinne 
 
 58 
 
 Redemption 
 
 . 32 
 
 Even Song 
 
 59 
 
 Sepulchre 
 
 • 33 
 
 Church Monuments 
 
 60 
 
 Eafter 
 
 • 34 
 
 Church Mufick 
 
 61 
 
 Eafter Wings 
 
 . 36 
 
 Church-lock and Key 
 
 61 
 
 Holy Baptiime 
 
 • 36 
 
 The Church Floore 
 
 62 
 
 Holy Baptifme 
 
 . 37 
 
 The Windows 
 
 63 
 
 Nature 
 
 . 38 
 
 Trinity Sunday 
 
 63 
 
 Sinne 
 
 . 38 
 
 Content 
 
 64 
 
 Afni&ion . 
 
 . 39 
 
 The Quidditie 
 
 65 
 
 Repentance 
 
 . 42 
 
 Humilitie 
 
 66 
 
 Faith 
 
 • 43 
 
 Frailtie 
 
 6 7 
 
 Prayer. 
 
 • 45 
 
 Conftancie 
 
 68 
 
XXX11 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Ami&ion 
 The Starre 
 Sunday- 
 
 Page 
 • 7° 
 . 7i 
 . 72 
 
 Avarice . . • 74 
 Anagram . -75 
 
 To all Angels and Saints 75 
 Employment . . 76 
 Deniall . . .78 
 Chriftmas . -79 
 
 Ungrate fulneiTe . 80 
 
 Sighs and Grones . 81 
 
 The World . . 82 
 
 ColofT.iii. 3. (Our life is hid 
 
 with Chrift in God) 83 
 Vanitie 
 
 Lent 
 
 Vertue 
 
 The Pearl (Matt, xiii.) 
 
 Affliaion 
 
 Man 
 
 Antiphon 
 
 UnkindneiTe 
 
 Life 
 
 SubmiiTion 
 
 Juftice 
 
 Charms and Knots 
 
 Affliction . 
 
 Mortification 
 
 Decay 
 
 Milerie 
 
 Jordan 
 
 Prayer 
 
 Obedience . 
 
 Confcience . 
 
 83 
 84 
 86 
 
 87 
 89 
 90 
 92 
 93 
 94 
 94 
 95 
 96 
 
 97 
 98 
 
 99 
 100 
 103 
 104 
 105 
 106 
 
 Page 
 Sion .... 107 
 Home . . . 108 
 
 The Britifh Church .111 
 The Q^uip . . .112 
 Vanitie . . .113 
 The Dawning . .114 
 Jeiii . . . .114 
 BufinelTe . . .115 
 Dialogue . . .116 
 Dulneffe . . .118 
 Love-joy . . * 119 
 Providence . . .119 
 Hope . . . 125 
 
 Sinnes Round . .125 
 Time .... 126 
 GratefulnelTe . .127 
 Peace . . 128 
 
 ConfelTion . . .130 
 GiddinelTe . . . 13 1 
 The Bunch of Grapes 132 
 Love-unknown . .133 
 ManVMedley . .136 
 The Storm . . .137 
 Paradiie . . .138 
 The Method . .138 
 Divinitie . . .139 
 Ephef. iv. 30 (" Grieve 
 
 not the Holy Spirit") 141 
 The Familie . . 142 
 The Size . ■ . 143 
 Artillerie . . .145 
 Church-rents & Schifmes 146 
 Juftice . . .147 
 
 The Pilgrimage . .148 
 

 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXX1U 
 
 
 Page 
 
 Page 
 
 The Holdfaft 
 
 . 150 
 
 The Odour (2 Cor. ii.) 185 
 
 Complaining 
 
 . 150 
 
 The Foil . . .186 
 
 The Difcharge . 
 
 151 
 
 The Forerunners . 187 
 
 Praife 
 
 • 153 
 
 The Rofe . . .188 
 
 An OfFering 
 
 154 
 
 Difcipline . 
 
 . 189 
 
 Longing 
 
 . 156 
 
 The Invitation 
 
 . 191 
 
 The Bag . 
 
 • 157 
 
 The Banquet 
 
 . 192 
 
 The Jews . 
 
 160 
 
 The Pofie . 
 
 ■ i94 
 
 The Collar . 
 
 161 
 
 A Parodie . 
 
 195 
 
 The Glimpfe 
 
 162 
 
 The Elixer 
 
 . 196 
 
 Aflurance . 
 
 163 
 
 A Wreath 
 
 . 197 
 
 The Call . 
 
 164 
 
 Death 
 
 • i97 
 
 Clafping of Hands 
 
 165 
 
 Doomfday 
 
 . 198 
 
 Praife . 
 
 166 
 
 Judgment 
 
 . 199 
 
 Jofeprfs Coat 
 
 167 
 
 Heaven 
 
 . 200 
 
 The Pulley 
 
 168 
 
 Love 
 
 . 201 
 
 The Priefthood . 
 
 168 
 
 The Church Militant 202 
 
 The Search 
 
 170 
 
 L'Envoy . . .210 
 
 Grief 
 
 172 
 
 MlCELLANEOUS POEMS — 
 
 The Croffe . 
 
 173 
 
 A Sonnet (New Year's 
 
 The Flower 
 
 *74 
 
 Gift to his Mother) .212 
 
 Dotage 
 
 176 
 
 Infcription (to his Suc- 
 
 The Sonne . 
 
 177 
 
 cefTor at Bermerton) 213 
 
 A True Hymne . 
 
 177 
 
 On Lord Danvers .213 
 
 The Anfwer 
 
 178 
 
 A Priest to the 
 
 A Dialogue- Anthem — 
 
 
 TEiMPLE . - 215 
 
 Chriftian, Death 
 
 179 
 
 The Author to the 
 
 The Water-Courfe 
 
 179 
 
 Reader . . .216 
 
 Self Condemnation 
 
 180 
 
 Of aPaflor . . 217 
 
 Bitter Sweet 
 
 181 
 
 Their Diverfities .218 
 
 The Glance 
 
 181 
 
 The Parfon's Life . 220 
 
 The 23 rd Pfalm . 
 
 182 
 
 The Parfon's Knowledge 222 
 
 Marie Magdalene 
 
 183 
 
 The Parfon's AccefTory 
 
 Aaron 
 
 184 
 
 Knowledges 
 
 . 224. 
 
XXXIV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 The Parfon's Praying . 226 
 The Parfon's Preaching 228 
 The Parfon on Sundays 231 
 The Parfon's ftate of 
 
 Life . . .233 
 
 The Parfon in his Houfe 236 
 The Parfon's Courtefy . 24I 
 The Parfon's Charity . 243 
 The Parfon's Church . 245 
 The Parfon in Circuit 246 
 The Parfon Comforting 749 
 The Parfon A Father . 250 
 The Parfon In Journey 251 
 The Parfon In Sentinel 252 
 The Parfon In Reference 254 
 The Parfon In God's 
 
 Stead . . .255 
 The Parfon Catechifmg 256 
 The Parfon In Sacra- 
 ments . . . 260 
 The Parfon's Complete- 
 
 nefs . . . 262 
 
 The Parfon's Arguing 266 
 The Parfon Punifhing . 267 
 The Parfon's Eye .268 
 
 The Parfon In Mirth . 272 
 The Parfon In Contempt 273 
 The Parfon with his 
 
 Church Wardens . 275 
 The Parfon's Confidera- 
 
 ration of Providence 276 
 The Parfon In Liberty 278 
 The Parfon's Surveys . 280 
 The Parfon's Library . 286 
 
 Page 
 The Parfon's Dexterity 
 in Applying Reme- 
 dies . . . .288 
 The Parfon's Conde- 
 
 fcending . .292 
 
 The Parfon's BlerTTng . 293 
 Concerning Detraction 295 
 The Author's Prayer 
 
 before Sermon . , 297 
 
 Prayer after Sermon . 299 
 
 Jacula Prudentum . 301 
 
 English Letters — 
 To Henry Herbert 
 Sir Hemy Herbert 
 To the fame 
 To the fame 
 To his Sifter (from 
 
 Cambridge) 
 To Sir J. D. (Sir John 
 
 Danvers) 
 To the fame 
 To the fame 
 To the fame 
 To the fame 
 To the truly noble 
 
 Sir J. D. " . 
 To the Right Hon. the 
 
 Lady Anne Countefs 
 
 of Pembroke and 
 
 Montgomery . 
 
 Latin Letters — 
 
 Ad R. Naunton, Secret. 
 Gl atia? de Fluvio . 353 
 
 34 1 
 342 
 343 
 343 
 
 345 
 
 346 
 
 347 
 348 
 
 349 
 350 
 
 35i 
 
 35 2 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XXX V 
 
 Pag 
 Ad Ful.Grevil — Gratiae 
 
 de Fluvio . -354 
 Ad R. Naunton — Gratiae 
 
 de Fluvio et de tegen- 
 
 dis Te&is Stramineis 354 
 Gratulatio de Marchio- 
 
 natu ad Bucking, C. 355 
 Ad F. Bacon, Cancell— 
 
 Gratiae de Inftaura- 
 
 tionis Libro Acade- 
 
 miae donato . .356 
 Ad F. Coventry, Attorn. 358 
 Ad R. Naunton .358 
 
 Gratulatio ad Mountag. 
 
 Thefaurar. . -3 59 
 
 Gratulatio ad Heath, 
 
 Sollicitor, Procurator. 360 
 Jacobo Regi — 1. Gratiae 
 
 de Scriptis Suis Aca- 
 
 demiae donatis . .360 
 Jacobo Regi — 2. Gratiae 
 
 de Fluvio contra Re- 
 
 demptores . .363 
 
 Ad F. Bacon, Cancell— 
 
 Gratiae de Fluvio . 363 
 Ad Archiep. Cantaur — 
 
 De Bibliopolis Lond. 365 
 Ad Fr. Bacon, Cancell 
 
 — De Bibliop. Lond. 365 
 Gratulatio ad F. Leigh 
 
 — Capitalem Juftitia- 
 
 rium Angl. . .366 
 Gratulatio ad Cranfield, 
 
 Thefaurar . .367 
 
 Page 
 Ad Lane Andrewes. 
 
 Epifc. . . .36? 
 O ratio qua Aufpicatif- 
 ilmum - Sereniflimi 
 Principis Caroli Re- 
 ditum ex Hifpania 
 celebravit . .371 
 
 Oratio, habita coram 
 Dominis Legatis cum 
 Magift.ro in Artibus 
 Titulis Inilgnirentur 384. 
 Oration when the Am- 
 bafTadors were made 
 Matters of Arts .386 
 
 Preface to the Divine 
 Confiderations of John 
 ValdeiTo . . .388 
 Notes to the fame . 389 
 
 A Treatife of Temper- 
 ance and Sobriety -399 
 Latin and Greek Poems. 
 Parentalia — 
 Memoriae Matris Sacrum 415 
 Epitaphium . .423 
 
 Mufae Refponforiae. — 
 Ad Andreae Melvini 
 Scoti. Anti - Tami- 
 Cami-Categoriam . 427 
 Epigrammata Apologe- 
 tica. — Pro Difciplina 
 Ecclefiae Nostras . 435 
 Walliae Principi . .436 
 
 Reverendis Epifc. Vin- 
 tonienil . . . 436 
 
XXXVI 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page 
 Ad Regem . .436 
 
 Ad Melvinum . .437 
 Anti - Tami - Cami-Cate- 
 
 goria . . .437 
 Partitio Anti - Tami- 
 
 Cami-Categorias 
 In Metri Genus . 
 De Larvatl, Gorgone 
 De Praemlum Faftu 
 De Gemina Academia 
 De S. Baptifmi ritu 
 De Signaculo Crucis 
 De Juramento Ecclefias 441 
 De Purificatione . 441 
 
 De Antichrifti decore 
 
 437 
 438 
 438 
 439 
 439 
 440 
 441 
 
 Pontificali 
 
 441 
 
 De Superpelliceo . 
 
 44.2 
 
 De Pileo quadrato 
 
 442 
 
 In Catharum 
 
 443 
 
 De Epifcopis 
 
 443 
 
 De Iifdem ad Melvinum 
 
 444 
 
 De Textore Catharo 
 
 444 
 
 De Magicis Rotatibvs . 
 
 444 
 
 Ad Fratres . 
 
 445 
 
 De labe maculifque 
 
 445 
 
 De Mufica Sacra 
 
 445 
 
 De Eadem . 
 
 447 
 
 De rituum um 
 
 447 
 
 De Annulo Conjugali . 
 
 448 
 
 De Mundis et Mundanis 
 
 448 
 
 De Oratione Dominica 
 
 448 
 
 In Catharum quendam. 
 
 446 
 
 De lupa luftri Vaticani 
 
 449 
 
 Roma dabit . 
 
 450 
 
 Page 
 De Impofitione . .450 
 Supplicum Miniftrorum 
 
 Raptus . . .450 
 De Auclorum Enume- 
 
 ratione . . . 451 
 De Auri Sacra Fame . 452 
 Ad Scotiam Protrepticon 
 
 ad Pacem . . 452 
 
 Ad Seduclos Innocentes 452 
 Ad Melvinum . .453 
 Ad Eundem . . 454 
 Ad Seren. Regem . 454 
 Ad Deum . . -456 
 Inventa Bellica . .456 
 Alia Poemata Latina . 457 
 Ad Auctorem Inftaura- 
 
 tionis magnae . .458 
 Ad Francifcum Bacon . 456 
 In honorem Fr. Bacon 460 
 In obitum Fr. Bacon * 46 1 
 Comparatio inter munus 
 
 iiimmi — Cancellaria- 
 
 tus et Liber . . 46 1 
 JEthiopifla ambit Cef- 
 
 tum diverfi colons 
 
 virum . . .461 
 In Natales et Pafcha 
 
 Concurrentes . .462 
 Ad Johannem Donne, 
 
 D.D. . . .462 
 In obitum ferenis Re- 
 
 ginae Annae . .463 
 In Obitum Henrici 
 
 Principis Walliae . 463 
 
THE TEMPLE. 
 
 The Dedication. 
 
 Lord, my firft fruits prefent themfelves to thee ; 
 Yet not mine neither : for from thee they came, 
 And muft return. Accept of them and me, 
 And make us ftrive, who mall fing beft thy Name. 
 Turn their eyes hither, who (hall make a gain : 
 Theirs, who fhall hurt themfelves or me, refrain. 
 
 The Church Porch. 
 
 Perirrhanterium. 
 
 ff $ff& $HOU, whofe fweet youth and early hopes 
 
 *' r I ^* inhance 
 
 $t JL *$ Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a 
 
 $&&&& treafure, 
 
 Hearken unto a Verfer, who may chance 
 
 Ryme thee to good, and make a bait of pleafure : 
 
 A verfe may finde him, who a fermon flies, 
 
 And turn delight into a facrifice. 
 
 Beware of luft ; it doth pollute and foul 
 
 Whom God in Baptifme waiht with his own blood : 
 
 It blots thy leflbn written in thy foul ; 
 
 The holy lines cannot be underftood. 
 How dare thofe eyes upon a Bible look, 
 Much lefle towards God, whofe luft is all their book ! 
 
 *} 
 
2 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Abftain wholly, or wed. Thy bounteous Lord 
 
 Allows thee choife of paths : take no by-wayes ; 
 
 But gladly welcome what he doth afford ; 
 
 Not grudging, that thy luft hath bounds and ftaies. 
 Continence hath his joy : weigh both ; and fo 
 If rottenneffe have more, let Heaven go. 
 
 If God had laid all common, certainly 
 
 Man would have been th' inclofer : but fince now 
 
 God hath impal'd us, on the contrarie 
 
 Man breaks the fence, and every ground will plough. 
 
 O what were man, might he himfelf mifplace ! 
 
 Sure to be croffe he would fhift feet and face. 
 
 Drink not the third glaffe, which thou canft not tame, 
 When once it is within thee ; but before 
 Mayft rule it, as thou lift, and poure the fhame, 
 Which it would poure on thee, upon the floore. 
 It is moft juft to throw that on the ground, 
 Which would throw me there if I keep the round. 
 
 He that is drunken, may his mother kill 
 
 Bigge with his filler : he hath loft the reins, 
 
 Is outlawd by himfelfe : all kinde of ill 
 
 Did with his liquor Aide into his veins. 
 
 The drunkard forfets Man, and doth deveft 
 All worldly right, fave what he hath by beaft. 
 
 Shall I, to pleafe anothers wine-fprung minde, 
 Lofe all mine own ? God hath giv'n me a meafure 
 Short of his canne, and bodie ; muft I finde 
 A pain in that, wherein he findes a pleafure ? 
 Stay at the third glaffe : if thou lofe thy hold, 
 Then thou art modeft, and the wine grows bold. 
 
 If reafon move not Gallants, quit the room ; 
 (All in a mipwrack fhift their feverall way) 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. \ 
 
 Let not a common mine thee intombe : 
 Be not a beaft in courtefie, but flay, 
 
 Stay at the third cup, or forego the place. 
 
 Wine above all things doth Gods ftamp deface. 
 
 Yet, if thou finne in wine or wantonneffe, 
 
 Boaft not thereof; nor make thy fhame thy glorie. 
 
 Frailtie gets pardon by fubmiili v en e fie ; 
 
 But he that boafts, fhuts that out of his ftorie : 
 He makes flat warre with God, and doth defie 
 With his poore clod of earth the fpacious fky. 
 
 Take not his name, who made thy mouth, in vain : 
 
 It gets thee nothing, and hath no excufe. 
 
 Luft and wine plead a pleafure, avarice gain : 
 
 But the cheap fwearer through his open fluce 
 Lets his foul runne for nought, as little fearing : 
 Were I an Epicure^ I could bate fwearing. 
 
 When thou doft tell anothers jeft, therein 
 
 Omit the oathes, which true wit cannot need : 
 
 Pick out of tales the mirth, but not the finne. 
 
 He pares his apple, that will cleanly feed. 
 
 Play not away the Vertue of that Name,* 
 
 Which is the beft (take, when griefs make thee tame. 
 
 The cheapeft finnes moft dearly punifht are ; 
 
 Becaufe to fhun them alfo is fo cheap : 
 
 For we have wit to mark them, and to fpare. 
 
 O crumble not away thy fouls fair heap. 
 
 If thou wilt die, the gates of hell are broad : 
 Pride and full finnes have made the way a road. 
 
 Lie not ; but let thy heart be true to God, 
 Thy mouth to it, thy actions to them both : 
 
 *That of Chriftian. 
 B 2 
 
4 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Cowards tells lies, and thofe that fear the rod ; 
 
 The ftormie working foul fpits lies and froth. 
 Dare to be true. Nothing can need a ly: 
 A fault, which needs it moft, grows two thereby. 
 
 Flie idleneffe, which yet thou canft not flie 
 By dreffing, miftrefling, and complement. 
 If thofe take up thy day, the funne will crie 
 Againft thee ; for his light was onely lent. 
 
 God gave thy foul brave wings ; put not thofe feathers 
 Into a bed, to fleep out all ill weathers. 
 
 Art thou a Magiftrate ? then be fevere : 
 If ftudious 3 copie fair what time hath blurr'd ; 
 Redeem truth from his jawes : if fouldier, 
 Chafe brave employments with a naked fword 
 
 Throughout the world. Fool not ; for all may have, 
 If they dare try, a glorious life, or grave. 
 
 O England ! full of finne, but moft of floth ; 
 Spit out thy flegme, and fill thy breaft with glorie : 
 Thy Gentrie bleats, as if thy native cloth 
 TranffuPd a lheepifhneffe into thy ftorie : 
 Not that they all are fo ; but that the moft 
 Are gone to graffe, and in the pafture loft. 
 
 This loffe fprings chiefly from our education. 
 Some till their ground, but let weeds choke their fonne : 
 Some mark a partridge, never their childes fafhion : 
 Some fhip them over, and the thing is done. 
 
 Studie this art, make it thy great defigne ; 
 
 And if Gods image move thee not, let thine. 
 
 Some great eftates provide, but do not breed 
 A malVring minde ; fo both are loft thereby: 
 Or els they breed them tender, make them need 
 All that they leave : this is flat povertie. 
 
 rffrb 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 5 
 
 For he, that needs five thoufand pound to live, 
 Is full as poore as he, that needs but five. 
 
 The way to make thy fonne rich, is to fill 
 His minde with reft, before his trunk with riches : 
 For wealth without contentment, climbes a hill, 
 To feel thofe tempefts, which fly over ditches. 
 But if thy fonne can make ten pound his meafure, 
 Then all thou addeft may be call'd his treafure. 
 
 When thou doft purpofe ought, (within thy power) 
 Be fure to doe it, though it be but fmall : 
 Conftancie knits the bones, and makes us ftowre, 
 When wanton pleafures beckon us to thrall. 
 Who breaks his own bond, forfeiteth himfelf : 
 What nature made a fhip, he makes a fhelf. 
 
 Doe all things like a man, not fneakingly : 
 
 Think the king fees thee ftill; for his King does. 
 
 Simpring is but a lay-hypocrifie : 
 
 Give it a corner, and the clue* undoes. 
 Who fears to do ill, fets himfelf to tafk : 
 Who fears to do well, fure mould wear a mafk. 
 
 Look to thy mouth : difeafes enter there. 
 Thou haft two fconfes, f if thy ftomach call; 
 Carve, or difcourfe ; do not a famine fear. 
 Who carves, is kind to two ; who talks, to all. 
 
 Look on meat, think it dirt, then eat a bit ; 
 
 And fay withall, Earth to earth I commit. 
 
 Slight thofe who fay amidft their fickly healths, 
 Thou hVft by rule. What doth not fo, but man ? 
 
 * Ball of thread. 
 
 f Sconce generally fignifies a fkull ; but fometimes alio a bul- 
 wark : it feems to bear the latter meaning in this line. If hunger 
 tempts a man to over indulgence, he has two fafe-guards, he can 
 either carve for others, or talk to them. 
 
6 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Houfes are built by rule, and common-wealths. 
 Entice the trufty funne, if that you can, 
 
 From his Ecliptick line ; becken the fkie. 
 
 Who lives by rule then, keeps good companie. 
 
 Who keeps no guard upon himfelf, is flack, 
 And rots to nothing at the next great thaw. 
 Man is a fhop of rules, a well-truiFd pack, 
 Whofe every parcell under-writes a law. 
 
 Lofe not thyfelf, nor give thy humours way : 
 God gave them to thee under lock and key. 
 
 By all means ufe fometimes to be alone. 
 
 Salute thyfelf: fee what thy foul doth wear. 
 
 Dare to look in thy cheft ; for 'tis thine own : 
 
 And tumble up and down what thou find'ft there. 
 Who cannot reft till he good fellows finde, 
 He breaks'up houfe, turns out of doores his minde. 
 
 Be thriftie, but not covetous : therefore give 
 
 Thy need, thine honour, and thy friend his due. 
 
 Never was fcraper brave man. Get to live; 
 
 Then live, and ufe it : elfe, it is not true 
 That thou haft gotten. Surely ufe alone 
 Makes money not a contemptible ftone. 
 
 Never exceed thy income. Youth mav make 
 Ev'n with the yeare : but age, if it will hit, 
 Shoots a bow fhort, and leflens ftill his ftake, 
 As the day lefTens, and his life with it. 
 
 Thy children, kindred, friends upon thee call ; 
 
 Before thy journey fairly part with all. 
 
 Yet in thy thriving ftill mifdoubt fome evil; 
 Left gaining gain on thee, and make thee dimme 
 To all things els. Wealth is the conjurers devil; 
 Whom when he thinks he hath, the devil hath him. 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 7 
 
 Gold thou mayft fafely touch; but if it flick 
 Unto thy hands, it woundeth to the quick. 
 
 What (kills it, if a bag of ftones or gold 
 About thy neck do drown thee ? raife thy head ; 
 Take ftarres for money; ftarres not to be told 
 By any art, yet to be purchafed. 
 'None is fo waftefull as the fcraping dame : 
 She lofeth three for one; her foul, reft, fame. 
 
 By no means runne in debt : take thine own meafure. 
 Who cannot live on twentie pound a yeare, 
 Cannot on fourtie : he's a man of pleafure, 
 A kinde of thing that's for itfelf too deere. 
 
 The curious unthrift makes his cloth too wide, 
 And fpares himfelf, but would his taylor chide. 
 
 Spend not on hopes. They that by pleading clothes 
 Do fortunes feek, when worth and fervice fail, 
 Would have their tale beleeved for their oathes, 
 And are like empty veffels under fail. 
 
 Old courtiers know this; therefore fet out fo, 
 As all the day thou mayft hold out to go. 
 
 In clothes, cheap handfomeneffe doth bear the bell, 
 
 Wifdome's a trimmer thing, than fhop e'er gave. 
 
 Say not then, This with that lace will do well; 
 
 But, This with my difcretion will be brave. 
 Much curioufneffe is a perpetual wooing, 
 Nothing with labour, folly long a doing. 
 
 Play not for gain, but fport. Who playes for more, 
 Than he can lofe with pleafure, flakes his heart : 
 Perhaps his wifes too, and whom me hath bore : 
 Servants and churches alfo play their part. 
 
 Onely a herauld, who that way doth paiie, [glaiie. 
 
 Findes his crakt name at length in the church- 
 
8 Herbert's poems. 
 
 If yet thou love game at fo deere a rate, 
 Learn this, that hath old gamefters deerely coft : 
 Doft lofe ? rile up : doft winne ? rife in that ftate. 
 Who ftrive to fit out lofing hands, are loft. 
 Game is a civil gunpowder, in peace 
 Blowing up houfes with their whole increafe. 
 
 In converfation boldnefle now bears fway. 
 But know, that nothing can fo foolifh be, 
 As empty boldnefle : therefore firft allay 
 To ftuffe thy minde with folid braverie; 
 
 Then march on gallant : get fubftantiall worth : 
 Boldnefle guilds finely, and will fet it forth. 
 
 Be fweet to all. Is thy complexion fowre ? 
 
 Then keep fuch companies make them thy allay: 
 
 Get a fharp wife, a fervant that will lowre. 
 
 A ftumbler ftumbles leaft in rugged way. 
 
 Command thyfelf in chief. He lifes warre knows, 
 Whom all his paflions follow, as he goes. 
 
 Catch not at quarrels. He that dares not fpeak 
 Plainly and home, is coward of the two. 
 Think not thy fame at ev'ry twitch will break : 
 By great deeds fhew, that thou canft little do ; 
 
 And do them not : that mall thy wifdome be ; 
 
 And change thy temperance into braverie. 
 
 If that thy fame with ev'ry toy be pof 'd,* 
 'Tis a thinne web, which poyfonous fancies make ; 
 But the great fouldiers honour was compoPd 
 Of thicker ftuffe, which would endure a {hake. 
 
 Wifdome picks friends \ civilitie playes the reft. 
 
 A toy fhunn'd cleanly pafleth with the beft. 
 
 Be interrupted or flopped. 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 9 
 
 Laugh not too much : the wittie man laughs leaft : 
 
 For wit is newes only to ignorance. 
 
 Leffe at thine own things laugh ; left in the jeft 
 
 Thy perfon fhare, and the conceit advance. 
 Make not thy fport, abufes : for the fly, 
 That feeds on dung, is coloured thereby. 
 
 Pick out of mirth, like ftones out of thy ground, 
 
 Profaneneffe, filthineffe, abufiveneffe, 
 
 Thefe are the fcumme, with which courfe wits abound: 
 
 The fine may fpare thefe well, yet not go leffe. 
 
 All things are bigge with jeft : nothing that's plain 
 But may be wittie, if thou haft the vein. 
 
 Wit's an unruly engine, wildly ftriking 
 Sometimes a friend, fometimes the engineer : 
 Haft thou the knack ? pamper it not with liking : 
 But if thou want it, buy it not too deere. 
 Many affecting wit beyond their power, 
 Have got to be a deare fool for an houre. 
 
 A fad wife valour is the brave complexion, 
 That leads the van, and fwallows up the cities. 
 The giggler is a milk-maid, whom infection, 
 Or a fir'd beacon frighteth from his ditties. 
 
 Then he's the fport : the mirth then in him refts, 
 And the fad man is cock of all his jefts.* 
 
 Towards great perfons ufe refpective boldneffe : 
 
 That temper gives them theirs, and yet doth take 
 
 Nothing from thine : in fervice, care, or coldneffe 
 
 Doth ratablyf thy fortunes marre or make. 
 
 Feed no man in his finnes : for adulation 
 
 Doth make thee parcell-devil in damnation. 
 
 >i A 
 
 * The ferious man wins the victory. 
 -J- Proportionately. 
 
io Herbert's poems. 
 
 Envie not greatneiTe * for thou mak'ft thereby 
 Thyfelf the worfe, and fo the diftance greater. 
 Be not thine own worm : yet mch jealoufie, 
 As hurts not others, but may make thee better, 
 
 Is a good fpurre. Correcl: thy paflions fpite ; 
 
 Then may the beafts draw thee to happy light.* 
 
 When bafeneffe is exalted, do not bate 
 
 The place its honour, for the perfons fake. 
 
 The fhrine is that which thou doft venerate ; 
 
 And not the beaft, that bears it on his back. 
 I care not though the cloth of ftate mould be 
 Not of rich arras,t but mean tapeftrie.| 
 
 Thy friend put in thy bofome : wear his eies 
 Still in thy heart, that he may fee what's there. 
 It caufe require, thou art his facrifice ; 
 Thy drops of bloud muft pay down all his fear ; 
 
 But love is loft ; the way of friendfhip's gone ; 
 
 Though David had his Jonathan, Chrift his John. 
 
 Yet be not furety, if thou be a father. 
 
 Love is a perfonall debt. I cannot give 
 
 My childrens right, nor ought he take it : rather 
 
 Both friends mould die, than hinder them to live. 
 
 Fathers firft enter bonds to natures ends ; 
 
 And are her fureties, ere they are a friend's. 
 
 If thou be fingle, all thy goods and ground 
 Submit to love ; but yet not more then all. 
 Give one eftate, as one life. None is bound 
 To work for two. who brought himfelf to thrall. 
 
 * The fanctified paflions become inftruments of a blefling. 
 f Both words are ufed indifcriminately for cloth woven in 
 regular figures. 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. I I 
 
 God made me one man ; love makes me no more, 
 Till labour come, and make my weakneffe fcore. 
 
 In thy difcourfe, if thou defire to pleafe : 
 All fuch is courteous, ufefull, new, or wittie : 
 UfefulnefTe comes by labour, wit by eafe ; 
 Courtefie grows in court ; news in the citie. 
 
 Get a good flock of thefe, then draw the card ; 
 
 That fuites him beft, of whom thy fpeech is heard. 
 
 Entice all neatly to what they know beft ; 
 
 For fo thou doft thyfelf and him a pleafure : 
 
 (But a proud ignorance will lofe his reft, 
 
 Rather than fhew his cards) fteal from his treafure 
 What to afk further. Doubts well-raif'd do lock 
 The fpeaker to thee, and preferve thy ftock. 
 
 If thou be Mafter-gunner, fpend not all 
 That thou canft fpeak, at once ; but hufband it, 
 And give men turns of fpeech :* do not foreftall 
 By lavifhneiTe thine own, and others wit, 
 As if thou mad' ft thy will. A civil gueft 
 Will no more talk all, than eat all the feaft. 
 
 Be calm in arguing : for fiercenefle makes 
 
 Errour a fault, and truth difcourtefie. 
 
 Why mould I feel another mans miftakes 
 
 More, than his ficknefles or povertie ? 
 In love I fhould : but anger is not love, 
 Nor wifdome neither ; therefore gently move.f 
 
 * " Let him be fure to leave other men their turns to fpeak. 
 Nay, if there be any that would reign, and take up all the time, 
 let him find means to take them off, and bring others on j as 
 muficians ufe to do, with thofe that dance too long GalliaruV 
 — Bacon's Essays, xxxii. 
 
 f Mr. Coleridge faid, " I do not underftand this ftanza/' 
 The obicurity lies in the fifth line. The poet teaches calmnefs 
 
12 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Calmneffe is great advantage : he that lets 
 Another chafe, may warm him at his fire : 
 Mark all his wandrings, and enjoy his frets ; 
 As cunning fencers fuffer heat to tire. 
 
 Truth dwels not in the clouds : the bow that's the 
 Doth often aim at, never hit the fphere. 
 
 Mark what another fayes : for many are 
 Full of themfelves, and anfwer their own notion. 
 Take all into thee ; then with equail care 
 Ballance each dramme of reafon, like a potion. 
 If truth be with thy friend, be with them both : 
 Share in the conqueft, and confefle a troth. 
 
 Be ufeful where thou liveft, that they may 
 Both want, and wifh thy pleafing prefence ftill. 
 KindnefTe, good parts, great places are the way 
 To compaffe this. Finde out mens wants and will, 
 
 And meet them there. All worldly joyes go leffe 
 
 To the one joy of doing kindneffes. 
 
 Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high : 
 So fhalt thou humble and magnanimous be : 
 
 in difputes by fhowing that intemperate zeal takes even the 
 grace from truth. Then he afks, " why mould I feel," &c ? For 
 example, a perfbn argues with me upon the climate of Egypt ; 
 he is decidedly wrong. I try to correct him. But why mould 
 I trouble myfelf with his geographical errors, when I take fo 
 little note of his bodily wants ? 
 
 " In love I mould, but anger is not love : ,J 
 
 i. e., if I were warmly attached to this man, I might have fuch 
 fentiments, which are the natural breathings of love, but anger 
 has no relationfhip to that paflion 5 no, nor even that certainty 
 of learning which is wifdom ; " therefore, gently move j" i. e. 
 conduct the argument with fweetnefs and difcretion. 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 1 3 
 
 Sink not in fpirit : who aimeth at the fky 
 Shoots higher much than he that means a tree. 
 A grain of glorie mixt with humblenefTe 
 Cures both a fever and lethargicknefTe. 
 
 Let thy minde ftill be bent, ftill plotting where, 
 And when, and how the bufineffe may be done. 
 SlacknefTe breeds worms ; but the fure traveller, 
 Though he alight fometimes, ftill goeth on. 
 Active and ftirring fpirits live alcne : 
 Write on the others, Here lies fuch a one. 
 
 Slight not the fmalleft loffe, whether it be 
 In love or honour ; take account of all : 
 Shine like the funne in every corner : fee 
 Whether thy ftock of credit fwell or fall. 
 
 Who fay, I care not, thofe I give for loft ; 
 
 And to inftrudt them, 'twill not quit the coft. 
 
 Scorn no mans love, though of a mean degree ; 
 
 (Love is a prefent for a mightie king,) 
 
 Much leffe make any one thine enemie. 
 
 As gunnes deftroy, fo may a little fling. 
 The cunning workman never doth refufe 
 The meaneft tool, that he may chance to ufe. 
 
 All forrain* wifdome doth amount to this, 
 To take all that is given ; whether wealth, 
 Or love, or language ; nothing comes amifle : 
 A good digeftion turneth all to health : 
 And then as farre as fair behaviour may, 
 Strike off all fcores ; none are fo cleare as thev. 
 
 Keep all thy native good, and naturalize 
 All forrain of that name ; but fcorn their ill : 
 
 * Foreign. 
 
14 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Embrace their a£Hvenefle, not vanities. 
 
 Who follows all things, forfeiteth his will. 
 If thou obferveft ftrangers in each fit, 
 In time they'l runne thee out of all thy wit. 
 
 Afreet in things about thee cleanlineffe, 
 That all may gladly board thee, as a flowre. 
 Slovens take up their flock of noifomenefle 
 Beforehand, and anticipate their laft houre. 
 Let thy mindes fweetnefs have his operation 
 Upon thy body, clothes, and habitation. 
 
 In Almes regard thy means, and others merit. 
 
 Think heav'n a better bargain, then to give 
 
 Onely thy fingle market-money for it. 
 
 Joyn hands with God to make a man to live. 
 Give to all fomething ; to a good poore man, 
 Till thou change names, and be where he began. 
 
 Man is Gods image ; but a poore man is 
 Chrifts ftamp to boot ;* both images regard. 
 God reckons for him, counts the favour his : 
 Write, So much giv'n to God ; thou fhalt be heard. 
 Let thy almes go before, and keep heav'ns gate 
 Open for thee ; or both may come too late. 
 
 Reftore to God his due in tithe and time : 
 A tithe purloin' d cankers the whole eftate. 
 Sundaies obferve : think when the bells do chime, f 
 9 Tis angels mufick ; therefore come not late. 
 
 * In addition. 
 
 f Southey fays beautifully of the church chime, that " it is a 
 mufic hallowed by all circumftances, which, according equally 
 with focial exultation, and with folitary penfivenefs, though it 
 falls upon many an unheeding ear, never fails to find fome hearts 
 which it exhilarates, and fome which it foftens." 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 15 
 
 God then deals bleflings : If a king did fo, 
 
 Who would not hafte, nay give, to fee the fhow ? 
 
 Twice on the day his due is underftood ; 
 For all the week thy food fo oft he gave thee. 
 Thy cheere is mended ; bate not of the food, 
 Becaufe 'tis better, and perhaps may fave thee. 
 
 Thwart not th' Almighty God : O be not croffe. 
 
 Faft when thou wilt ; but then 'tis gain, not loffe. 
 
 Though private prayer be a brave defigne, 
 Yet publick hath more promifes, more love : 
 And love's a weight to hearts, to eies a figne. 
 We all are but cold fuitors ; let us move 
 
 Where it is warmed. Leave thy fix and kven ; 
 
 Pray with the moft : for where molt pray, is heaven. 
 
 When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. 
 God is more there, then thou : for thou art there 
 Onely by his permiflion. Then beware, 
 And make thyfelf all reverence and fear. 
 
 Kneeling ne're fpoil'd filk flocking : quit thy ftate. 
 
 All equall are within the churches gate. 
 
 Refort to fermons, but to prayers moft : 
 Praying's the end of preaching. O be dreft ; 
 Stay not for th' other pin : why thou haft loft 
 A joy for it worth worlds. Thus hell doth jeft 
 Away thy bleftings, and extreamly flout* thee, 
 Thy clothes being faft, but thy foul loofe about thee. 
 
 In time of fervice feal up both thine eies, 
 And fend them to thine heart ; that fpying finne, 
 They may weep out the ftains by them did rife : 
 Thofe doores being fhut, all by the eare comes in. 
 
 * Mock. 
 
l6 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Who marks in church-time others fymmetrie, 
 Makes all their beautie his deformitie. 
 
 
 Let vain or bufie thoughts have there no part : 
 
 Bring not thy plough, thy plots, thy pleafures thither. 
 
 Chrift purg'd his temple $ fo mull thou thy heart. 
 
 All worldly thoughts are but theeves met together 
 To couzin* thee. Look to thy actions well \ 
 For churches either are our heav'n or hell. 
 
 Judge not the preacher ; for he is thy Judge : 
 If thou miflike him, thou conceiv'ft him not. 
 God calleth preaching folly. Do not grudge 
 To pick out treafures from an earthen pot. 
 
 The worft fpeak fomething good : if all want fenfe, 
 God takes a text, and preacheth patience. 
 
 He that gets patience, and the bleffing which 
 Preachers conclude with, hath not loft his pains. 
 He that by being at church efcapes the ditch, 
 Which he might fall in by companions, gains. 
 He that loves Gods abode, and to combine 
 With faints on earth, mail one day with them mine. 
 
 Jeft not at preachers language or expreflion : 
 How know' ft thou, but thy finnes made him mifcarrie ? 
 Then turn thy faults and his into confeflion : 
 God fent him, whatfoe'er he be : O tarry, 
 And love him for his Mafter : his condition, 
 Though it be ill, makes him no ill Phyfician. 
 
 None mail in hell fuch bitter pangs endure 
 As thofe, who mock at Gods way of falvation. 
 Whom oil and balfames kill, what falve can cure ? 
 They drink with greedinefle a full damnation. 
 
 * Deceive. 
 
THE CHURCH. 17 
 
 The Jews refufed thunder ; and we, folly. 
 Though God do hedge us in, yet who is holy? 
 
 Summe up at night, what thou haft done by day;* 
 And in the morning, what thou haft to do. 
 Dreflef and undrefle thy foul : mark the decay 
 And growth of it : if with thy watch, that too 
 Be down, then winde up both, fince we fhall be 
 Moft furely judg'd, make thy accounts agree. 
 
 In brief, acquit thee bravely; play the man. 
 
 Look not on pleafures as they come, but go. 
 
 Defer not the leaft vertue : lifes poore fpan 
 
 Make not an ell, by trifling in thy wo. 
 
 If thou do ill y the joy fades, not the pains : 
 If well ; the pain doth fade, the joy remains. 
 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 Superliminare4 
 
 THOU, whom the former precepts have 
 Sprinkled and taught, how to behave 
 Thy felf in church ; approach, and tafte 
 The churches myfticall repaft. 
 
 * So Sir Charles Bavvdin, in Chatterton's Briftowe tragedy : 
 
 And none can fay but alle my lyffe, 
 
 I have his wordyes kept j 
 And lummed the a&ions of the day 
 
 Eche nighte before I flept. 
 
 f To drefs a foul for a funeral is not a work to be difpatchtd 
 at one meeting." — Taylor, Holy Dying, ch. v. 2. 
 I The Threfhold. 
 
 C 
 
Herbert's poems. 
 
 Avoid profaneneffe ; come not here : 
 Nothing but holy, pure, and cleare, 
 Or that which groneth to be fo, 
 May at his perill further go. 
 
 The Altar. 
 
 A BROKEN Altar, Lord, thy fervant reares, 
 Made of a heart, and cemented with teares : 
 Whofe parts are as thy hand did frame ; 
 No workmans tool hath touch'd the fame. 
 
 A Heart alone 
 
 Is fuch a ftone, 
 
 As nothing but 
 
 Thy pow'r doth cut. 
 
 Wherefore each part 
 
 Of my hard heart 
 
 Meets in this frame, 
 
 To praife thy name : 
 That, if I chance to hold my peace, 
 Thefe ftones to praife thee may not ceafe. 
 O let thy blefled Sacrifice be mine, 
 And fan&ifie this Altar to be thine. 
 
 The Sacrifice. 
 
 OH all ye, who paffe by, whofe eyes and minde 
 To worldly things are fharp, but to me blinde ; 
 To me, who took eyes that I might you finde : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
THE CHURCH. I9 
 
 The Princes of my people make a head 
 Againft their Maker : they do wifh me dead, 
 Who cannot wifh, except I give them bread : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Without me each one, who doth now me brave, 
 Had to this day been an Egyptian flave. 
 They ufe that power againlt me, which I gave : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Mine own Apoftle, who the bag did beare, 
 Though he had all I had, did not forbeare 
 To fell me alfo, and to put me there : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 For thirtie pence he did my death devife, 
 Who at three hundred did the ointment prize, 
 Not half fo fweet as my fweet facrifice : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Therefore my foul melts, and my hearts deare treafure 
 Drops bloud (the only beads) my words to meafure : 
 O let this cup pafle, if it be thy pleafure : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Thefe drops being temper'd with a finners tears, 
 A Balfome are for both the Hemifpheres, 
 Curing all wounds, but mine : all, but my fears. 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Yet my Difciples fleep : I cannot gain 
 One houre of watching ; but their drowfie brain 
 Comforts not me, and doth my do&rine ftain : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 c 2 
 
20 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Arife, arife, they come. Look how they runne 
 Alas ? what hafte they make to be undone ! 
 How with their lanterns do they feek the funne ! 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 With clubs and ftaves they feek me, as a thief^ 
 Who am the way of truth, the true relief, 
 Moft true to thofe who are my greater!: grief: 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Judas, doft thou betray me with a kifTe ? 
 Canft thou finde hell about my lips ? and mifle 
 Of life, juft at the gates of life and blifle ? 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 See, they lay hold on me, not with the hands 
 Of faith, but furie ; yet at their commands 
 I fufFer binding, who have looPd their bands : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 All my Difciples flie ; fear puts a barre 
 Betwixt my friends and me. They leave the ftarre* 
 That brought the wife men of the Eaft from farre : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Then from one ruler to another bound 
 They leade me : urging, that it was not found 
 What I taught : Comments would the text confound. 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 The Priefts and rulers all falfe witnefle feek 
 'Gainft him, who feeks not life, but is the meek 
 And readie Pafchal Lambe of this great week : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
THE CHURCH. 21 
 
 Then they accufe me of great blafphemie, 
 That I did thruft into the Deitie, 
 Who never thought that any robberie : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Some said, that I the Temple to the floore 
 In three days raz'd,* and raifed as before. 
 Why, he that built the world can do much more : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Then they condemne me all with that fame breath, 
 Which I do give them daily, unto death. 
 Thus Adam my firft breathing rendereth : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 They binde, and leade me unto Herod : he 
 Sends me to Pilate. This makes them agree ; 
 But yet their friendfhip is my enmitie. 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Herod and all his bands do fet me light, 
 Who teach all hands to warre, fingers to fight, 
 And onely am the Lord of hofts and might. 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Herod in judgment fits, while I do ftand ; 
 
 Examines me with a cenforious hand : 
 
 I him obey, who all things elfe command : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 The Jews accufe me with defpitefulnefTe ; 
 And vying malice with my gentlenefle, 
 Pick quarrels with their onely happinefTe : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 * Overthrew. 
 
22 HERBERT'S POEMS. 
 
 I anfwer nothing, but with patience prove 
 If ftonie hearts will melt with gentle love. 
 But who does hawk at eagles with a dove ? 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 My filence rather doth augment their crie ; 
 My dove doth back into my bofome flie, 
 Becaufe the raging waters ftill are high : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Hark how they crie aloud ftill, Crucifie : 
 It is not fit he live a day, they crie, 
 Who cannot live lefTe than eternally : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Pilate a ftranger holdeth dfF ; but they, 
 Mine own deare people, cry, Away, away, 
 With noifes confufed frighting the day : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Yet ftill they fhout, and crie, and flop their eares, 
 Putting my life among their finnes and fears, 
 And therefore wifh my bloud on them and theirs : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 See how fpite cankers things. Thefe words aright 
 Ufed, and wifhed, are the whole worlds light : 
 But hony is their gall, brightnefTe their night : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 They choofe a murderer, and all agree 
 
 In him to do themfelves a courtefie - 
 
 For it was their own caufe who killed me : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 And a feditious murderer he was : 
 But I the Prince of peace; peace that doth pafTe 
 All underftanding, more than heav'n doth glafle : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Why, Cefar is their onely King, not I : 
 
 He clave the ftonie rock, when they were drie \ 
 
 But furely not their hearts, as I well trie : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Ah ! how they fcourge me ! yet my tenderneffe 
 Doubles each lafh : and yet their bitternefle 
 Windes up my grief to a myfterioufneffe : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 They buffet me, and box me as they lift, 
 Who grafp the earth and heaven with my fift, 
 And never yet, whom I would punifh, miff'd : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Behold, they fpit on me in fcornfull wife \ 
 Who by my fpittle gave the blinde man eies, 
 Leaving his blindneffe to mine enemies : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 My face they cover, though it be divine. 
 
 As Mofes face was vailed, fo is mine, 
 
 Left on their double-dark fouls either mine : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Servants and abje&s flout me -, they are wittie : 
 Now prophefie who ftrikes thee, is their dittie. 
 So they in me denie themfelves all pitie : 
 
 Was evei grief like mine ? 
 
 n 
 
24 Herbert's poems. 
 
 And now I am deliver'd unto death, 
 
 Which each one cals for fo with utmoft breath, 
 
 That he before me well-nigh fufrereth : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Weep not, deare friends, fince I for both have wept : 
 When all my tears were bloud, the while you flept : 
 Your tears for your own fortunes mould be kept : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 The fouldiers lead me to the common hall ; 
 There they deride me, they abufe me all; 
 Yet for twelve heav'nly legions I could call : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Then with a fcarlet robe they me aray; 
 Which fhews my bloud to be the onely way, 
 And cordiall left to repair mans decay : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Then on my head a crown of thorns I wear; 
 For thefe are all the grapes Sion doth bear, 
 Though I my vine planted and watred there : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 So fits the earths great curfe in Adams fall 
 Upon my head; fo I remove it all 
 From th' earth unto my brows, and bear the thrall : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Then with the reed they gave to me before, 
 
 They ftrike my head, the rock from whence all flore 
 
 Of heav'nly bleffings iffue evermore : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
THE CHURCH. 25 
 
 They bow their knees to me, and cry, Hail king : 
 What ever fcoffes or fcornfulneffe can bring, 
 I am the floore, the fink, where they it fling : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Yet fince mans fcepters are as frail as reeds, 
 And thorny all their crowns, bloudie their weeds ; 
 I, who am Truth, turn into truth their deeds : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 The fouldiers alfo fpit upon that face 
 Which Angels did defire to have the grace, 
 And Prophets once to fee, but found no place : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Thus trimmed forth they bring me to the rout, 
 Who Crucifie him, crie with one ftrong fhout. 
 God holds his peace at man, and man cries out : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 They leade me in once more, and putting then 
 Mine own clothes on, they leade me out agen. 
 Whom devils flie, thus is he tofPd of men : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 And now wearie of fport, glad to ingroffe 
 All fpite in one, counting my life their loffe, 
 They carrie me to my moft bitter croffe : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 My croffe I bear my felf, untill I faint : 
 Then Simon bears it for me by conftraint, 
 The decreed burden of each mortall Saint : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
26 Herbert's poems. 
 
 O all ye who paffe by, behold and fee : 
 
 Man ftole the fruit, but I muft climbe the tree ; 
 
 The tree of life to all, but onely me : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Lo, here I hang, charg'd with a world of finne, 
 The greater world o' th' two y for that came in 
 By words, but this by forrow I muft win : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Such forrow, as if finful man could feel, 
 Or feel his part, he would not ceafe to kneel, 
 Till all were melted, though he were all fteel. 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 But, O my God, my God ! why leav'ft thou me, 
 The fonne, in whom thou doft delight to be ? 
 
 My God, my God 
 
 Never was grief like mine. 
 
 Shame tears my foul, my bodie many a wound ; 
 Sharp nails pierce this, but fharper that confound ; 
 Reproches, which are free, while I am bound : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Now heal thyfelf, Phyfician ; now come down. 
 Alas ! I did fo, when I left my crown 
 And fathers fmile for you, to feel his frown : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 In healing not myfelf, there doth confift 
 All that falvation, which ye now refift ; 
 Your fafetis in my ficknefle doth fubfift : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 Jetwixt two theeves I fpend my utmoft breath, 
 As he that for fome robberie fuffcreth, 
 Alas ! what have I ftollen from you ? death : 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 king my title is, prefixt on high ; 
 r et by my fubjects am condemn'd to die 
 fervile death in fervile companie : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 "hey gave me vineger mingled with gall, 
 But more with malice : yet, when they did call, 
 With Manna, Angels food, I fed them all : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 They part my garments, and by lot difpofe 
 
 My coat, the type of love, which once cur'd thofe 
 
 Who fought for help, never malicious foes : 
 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 Nay, after death their fpite fhall further go ; 
 For they will pierce my fide, I full well know -> 
 That as finne came, fo Sacraments might flow: 
 Was ever grief like mine ? 
 
 But now I die ; now all is finifhed. 
 
 My wo, mans weal:* and now I bow my head : 
 
 Onely let others fay, when I am dead, 
 
 Never was grief like mine. 
 
 2 7 
 
 * Good. 
 
28 Herbert's poems. 
 
 The Thankfgiving. 
 
 OH King of grief ! (a title ftrange, yet true, 
 To thee of all kings onely due) 
 Oh King of v/ounds ! how fhall I grieve for thee, 
 
 Who in all grief preventeft me ? 
 Shall I weep bloud ? why, thou haft wept fuch ftore, 
 
 That all thy body was one doore. 
 Shall I be fcourged, flouted, boxed, fold ? 
 
 'Tis but to tell the tale is told. 
 My God, my God, why doft thou part from me ? 
 
 Was fuch a grief as cannot be. 
 Shall I then fing, flapping, thy dolefull ftorie, 
 
 And fide with thy triumphant glorie ? 
 Shall thy ftrokes be my ftroking ? thorns, my flower ? 
 
 Thy rod, my pofie ? crofle, my bower ? 
 But how then fhall I imitate thee, and 
 
 Copie thy fair, though bloudie hand ? 
 Surely I will revenge me on thy love, 
 
 And trie who fhall victorious prove. 
 If thou doft g\ve me wealth ; I will reftore 
 
 All back unto thee by the poore. 
 If thou doft give me honour ; men fhall fee, 
 
 The honour doth belong to thee. 
 I will not marry; or, if fhe be mine, 
 
 She and her children fhall be thine. 
 My bcfome friend, if he blafpheme thy name, 
 
 I will tear thence his love and fame. 
 One half of me being gone, the reft I give 
 
 Unto fome Chapell, die or live. 
 As for thy paflion — But of that anon, 
 
 When with the other I have done. 
 For thy predeftination, Tie contrive, 
 
 That three years hence, if I furvive, 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 2 9 
 
 I'le build a fpittle,* or mend common wayes, 
 
 But mend mine own without delay es. 
 Then I will ufe the works of thy creation, 
 
 As if I uPd them but for a fafhion. 
 The world and I will quarrell ; and the yeare 
 
 Shall not perceive, that I am here. 
 My mufick mail finde thee, and ev'ry firing 
 
 Shall have his attribute to fing - y 
 That all together may accord in thee, 
 
 And prove one God, one harmonic 
 If thou malt give me wit, it mail appeare, 
 
 If thou haft giv'n it me, 'tis here. 
 Nay, I will reade thy booke, and never move 
 
 Till I have found therein thy love ; 
 Thy art of love, which Tie turn back on thee, 
 
 Oh my deare Saviour, Vidlorie ! 
 Then for thy paflion — 1 will do for that — 
 
 Alas, my God, I know not what. 
 
 I 
 
 The Reprifall. 
 
 HAVE confiderd it, and finde 
 There is no dealing with thy mighty paflion ? 
 For though I die for thee, I am behinde ; 
 
 My finnes deferve the condemnation. 
 
 O make me innocent, that I 
 May give a difentangled ftate and free ; 
 And yet thy wounds ftill my attempts defie, 
 
 For by thy death I die for thee. 
 
 * An old colloquial abbreviation of hofpital. 
 
30 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Ah ! was it not enough that thou 
 By thy eternall glorie didft outgo me ? 
 Couldft thou not griefs fad conquefts me allow, 
 
 But in all vi&'ries overthrow me ? 
 
 Yet by confeflion will I come 
 Into the conqueft. Though I can do nought 
 Againft thee, in thee I will overcome 
 
 The man, who once againft thee fought.* 
 
 The Agonie. 
 
 PHILOSOPHERS have meafured mountains, 
 Fathom'd the depths of feas, of ftates,and kings, 
 Walk'd with a ftaffe to heav'n, and traced fountains : 
 
 But there are two vaft, fpacious things, 
 The which to meafure it doth more behove : 
 Yet few there are that found them ; Sinne and Love. 
 
 Who would know Sinne, let him repair 
 Unto mount Olivet ; there fhall he fee 
 A man fo wrung with pains, that all his hair, 
 
 His fkinne, his garments bloudie be. 
 Sinne is that preflef and vice, which forceth pain 
 To hunt his cruell food through ev'ry vein. 
 
 Who knows not Love, let him afTay, 
 And tafte that juice, which on the croffe a pike 
 Did fet again abroach ; % then let him fay 
 
 If ever he did tafte the like. 
 
 * The old man in the heart, fubdued by grace, 
 f " I have trodden the wine-prefs alone." — Iiaiah lxiii. 3 
 % A word of Chaucer, to tap. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 3* 
 
 Love is that liquour fweet and mod divine, 
 Which my God feels as bloud ; but I, as wine. 
 
 The Sinner. 
 
 LORD, how I am all ague, when I feek 
 What I have treafur'd in my memorie ! 
 
 Since, if my foul make even with the week, 
 Each feventh note by right is due to thee. 
 I finde there quarries of pil'd vanities, 
 
 But fhreds of holinefle, that dare not venture 
 
 To (hew their face, fince croffe to thy decrees : 
 There the circumference earth is, heav'n the centre. 
 In fo much dregs the quinteffence is fmall : 
 
 The fpirit and good extract of my heart 
 
 Comes to about the many hundredth part. 
 Yet, Lord, reftore thine image, heare my call: 
 
 And though my hard heart fcarce to thee can 
 grone, 
 
 Remember that thou once didft write in ftone. 
 
 o 
 
 Good Friday. 
 
 MY chief good, 
 
 How mail I meafure out thy bloud ? 
 How mail I count what thee befell, 
 And each grief tell ? 
 
 Shall I thy woes 
 Number according to thy foes ? 
 Or, fince one ftarre fhow'd thy firft breath, 
 
 Shall all thy death ? 
 
32 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Or fliall each leaf. 
 Which falls in Autumne, fcore* a grief f 
 Or cannot leaves, but fruit, be figne, 
 
 Of the true vine ? 
 
 Then let each houre 
 Of my whole life one grief devoure ; 
 That thy diftrefle through all may runne, 
 
 And be my funne. 
 
 Or rather let 
 My feverall finnes their forrows get -> 
 That as each beaft his cure doth know, 
 
 Each finne may fo. 
 
 Since bloud is fitteft, Lord, to write 
 
 Thy forrows in, and bloudie fight ; 
 
 My heart hath ftore ; write there, where in 
 
 One box doth lie both ink and finne : 
 
 That when finne fpies fo many foes, 
 Thy whips, thy nails, thy wounds, thy woes, 
 All come to lodge there, finne may fay, 
 No room for me, and flie away* 
 
 Sinne being gone, oh fill the place, 
 And keep poffeflion with thy grace ; 
 Left finne take courage and return, 
 And all the writings blot or burn. 
 
 Redemption. 
 
 HAVING been tenant long to a rich Lord, 
 Not thriving, I refolved to be bold, 
 And make a fuit unto him, to afford 
 A new fmall-rented leafe, and cancell th' old. 
 
 Mark or notch. 
 
THE CHURCH. 3J 
 
 In heaven at his manour I him {'ought : 
 
 They told me there, that he was lately gone 
 About fome land, which he had dearly bought 
 
 Long fince on earth, to take pofTerlion. 
 
 I ftraight return'd, and knowing his great birth, 
 Sought him accordingly in great reforts ; 
 In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts : 
 
 At length I heard a ragged noife and mirth 
 
 Of theeves and murderers : there I him efpied, 
 Who ftraight, Your fuit is granted, faid, and died. 
 
 Sepulchre. 
 
 O BLESSED bodie ! Whither art thou thrown ? 
 No lodging for thee, but a cold hard ftone r 
 So many hearts on earth, and yet not one 
 
 Receive thee ? 
 
 Sure there is room within our hearts good ftore ; 
 For they can lodge tranfgreflions by the fcore : 
 Thoufands of toyes dwell there, yet out of doore 
 
 They leave thee. 
 
 But that which fhews them large, fhews them unfit. 
 Whatever finne did this pure rock commit, 
 Which holds thee now ? Who hath indited it 
 
 Of murder ? 
 
 
34 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Where our hard hearts have took up ftones to brain* 
 
 thee, 
 And miffing this, moft falfely did arraigne thee \ 
 Onely thefe ftones in quiet entertain thee, 
 
 And order. 
 
 And as of old, the law by heav'nly art, 
 Was writ in ftone ; fo thou, which alfo art 
 The letter of the word, iind'ft no fit heart 
 
 To hold thee. 
 
 Yet do we ftill perfift as we began, 
 
 And fo mould perifh, but that nothing can, 
 
 Though it be cold, hard, foul, from loving man 
 
 Withhold thee. 
 
 Eafter. 
 
 RISE heart ; thy Lord is rifen. Sing his praife 
 Without delayes, 
 Who takes thee by the hand, that thou likewife 
 
 With him mayft rife : 
 That, as his death calcined thee to duft, 
 His life may make thee gold, and much more juft. 
 
 Awake, my lute, and ftruggle for thy part 
 
 With all thy art 
 
 The croffe taught all wood to refound his name 
 
 Who bore the fame. 
 
 His ftretched finews taught all firings, what key 
 
 Is beft to celebrate this moft high day. 
 
 * To beat out the brains ; hence comes the modern phrafe, to 
 " knock a fcheme upon the head." 
 
THE CHURCH. 35 
 
 Confort both heart and lute, and twift a fong 
 
 Pleafant and long : 
 
 Or fince all mufick is but three parts vied* 
 
 And multiplied ; 
 
 let thy blefled Spirit bear a part, 
 
 And make up our defects with his fweet art. 
 
 1 got me flowers to ftraw thy way ; 
 I got me boughs ofF many a tree : 
 But thou waft up by break of day, 
 
 And broughtft thy fweets along with thee. 
 
 The Sunne arifing in the Eaft, 
 
 Though he give light, and th' Eaft perfume ; 
 
 If they fhould offer to conteft 
 
 With thy arifing, they prefume. 
 
 Can there be any day but this, 
 Though many funnes to fhine endeavour ? 
 We count three hundred, but we mifTe : 
 There is but one, and that one ever. 
 
 * To " vie" was a term ufed in an old game of cards, called 
 Gluck ; here it means the contrails in mufic, where each variation 
 appears to contend with the other. 
 
 D 2 
 
36 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Eafter Wings. 
 
 LORD, who createdft man in wealth and ftore, 
 Though foolifhly he loft the fame. 
 Decaying more and more, 
 Till he became 
 Moft poor : 
 
 With thee 
 O let me rife 
 As larks, harmonioufly, 
 And fing this day thy Victories : 
 Then mail the fall further the flight in me. 
 
 My tender age in forrow did beginne : 
 And ftill with fickneffes and fhame 
 Thou didft fo punifh finne, 
 That I became 
 Moft thinne. 
 
 With thee 
 Let me combine, 
 And feel this day thy vi&orie, 
 For, if I imp my wing on thine, 
 Affliction mail advance the flight in me. 
 
 Holy Baptifme. 
 
 AS he that fees a dark and fhadie grove, 
 Stayes not, but looks beyond it on the fkie ; 
 So when I view my finnes, mine eyes remove 
 More backward ftill, and to that water flie, 
 
THE CHURCH. 37 
 
 Which is above the heav'ns, whofe fpring and rent 
 Is in my dear Redeemers pierced fide. 
 O blcfled ftreams ! cither ye do prevent 
 
 And Hop our finnes from growing thick and wide, 
 
 Or elfe give tears to drown them, as they grow. 
 In you Redemption meafures all my time, 
 And fpreads the plaifter equall to the crime : 
 
 You taught the book of life my name, that fo, 
 Whatever future finnes mould me mifcall, 
 Your firft acquaintance might difcredit all. 
 
 Holy Baptifme. 
 
 SINCE, Lord, to thee 
 A narrow way and little gate 
 Is all the paffage, on my infancie 
 
 Thou didft lay hold and antedate 
 My faith in me. 
 
 O let me frill 
 Write thee great God, and me a childe : 
 Let me be foft and fupple to thy will, 
 
 Small to myfelf, to others milde, 
 Behither* ill. 
 
 Although by ftealth 
 My flefh get on ; yet let her fifter 
 My foul bid nothing, but preferve her wealth : 
 The growth of flefh is but a blifter ; 
 Childhood is health. f 
 
 * On this fide of, or except in anything evil. 
 
 f So Chryfoftom : "The office of repentance is, when they 
 have been made new, and then become old through fins, to free 
 them from their oldnefs, and make them new j but it cannut 
 
3^ Herbert's poems. 
 
 Nature. 
 
 FULL of rebellion, I would die, 
 Or fight, or travell, or denie 
 That thou haft ought to do with me. 
 
 O tame my heart ; 
 It is thy higheft art 
 To captivate ftrong holds to thee. 
 
 
 If thou fhalt let this venome lurk, 
 And in fuggeftions fume and work, 
 My foul will turn to bubbles ftraight, 
 
 And thence by kinde 
 Vaniih into a winde, 
 Making thy workmanfhip deceit. 
 
 O fmooth my rugged heart, and there 
 Engrave thy rev'rend law and fear ; 
 Or make a new one, fince the old 
 
 Is fapleffe grown, 
 And a much fitter ftone 
 To hide my duft, then thee to hold. 
 
 Sinne. 
 
 LORD, with what care haft thou begirt us round ! 
 Parents firft feafon us : then fchoolmafters 
 Deliver us to laws ; they fend us bound 
 To rules of reafon, holy meffengers, 
 
 bring them to their former brightnefs ; for then the whole was 
 good." 
 
THE CHURCH. 39 
 
 Pulpits and fundayes, forrow* dogging fume, 
 Afflictions forted, anguifh of all fixes, 
 Fine nets and ftratagems to catch us in, 
 
 Bibles laid open, millions of furprifes, 
 
 Bleflings beforehand, tyes of gratefulneffe, 
 
 The found of glorie ringing in our eares ; 
 Without, our ihame ; within, our confciences ; 
 
 Angels and grace, eternall hopes and fears. 
 
 Yet all thefe fences and their whole aray 
 One cunning bofome-finne blows quite away. 
 
 Affliaion.t 
 
 "HEN firft thou didft entice to thee my heart, 
 I thought the fervice brave : 
 So many joyes I writ down for my part, 
 
 Befides what I might have 
 Out of my frock of naturall delights, 
 Augmented with thy gracious benefits. 
 
 * Fear dread events that dog them both. — Com us, 405. 
 
 f " He would often fay, ' he had too thoughtful a wit j a 
 wit like a penknife, in too narrow a fheath, too fharp for his 
 body.' But his mother would by no means allow him to leave 
 the Univerfity, or to travel ; and though he inclined very much 
 to both, yet he could by no means fatiir'y his own defires at (o 
 dear a rate, as to prove an undutiful fon to fo affectionate a 
 mother j but did always fubmit to her wifdom. And what I 
 have now faid may partly appear in a copy of verles in his 
 printed Poems j it is one of thofe that bear the title of ' Afflic- 
 tion.' " — Isaak Walton. 
 
40 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 I looked on thy furniture fo fine, 
 
 , And made it fine to me ; 
 Thy glorious houihold-ftuffe did me entwine, 
 
 And 'tice me unto thee. 
 Such ftarres I counted mine : both heav'n and earth 
 Payd me my wages in a world of mirth. 
 
 What pleafures could I want, whofe King I ferved, 
 Where joyes my fellows were ? 
 
 Thus argu'd into hopes, my thoughts referved 
 No place for grief or fear ; 
 
 Therefore my fudden foul caught at the place, 
 
 And made her youth and fierceneffe feek thy face : 
 
 At firft thou gav'ft me milk and fweetneffes ; 
 
 I had my wifh and v/ay : 
 My days were ftraw'd with flow'rs and happinefTes ; 
 
 There was no moneth* but May. 
 But with my yeares forrow did twin 1 and grow, 
 And made a party unawares for wo. 
 
 My flefh began f unto my foul in pain, 
 
 SicknerTes cleave my bones, 
 
 Confuming agues dwell in ev'ry vein, 
 
 And tune my breath to grones : 
 
 Sorrow was all my foul : I fcarce beleeved, 
 
 Till grief did tell me roundly, that I lived. 
 
 * Month. 
 
 f An old idiom ftill ufed in Scotland 5 it is found in Shake- 
 1'pere : — 
 
 " Then ' began' the tempeft to my foul. 11 
 
 Richard III., Act i. fc. 4. 
 
THE CHURCH. 41 
 
 When I got health, thou took'ft away my life, 
 
 And more ; for my friends die : 
 
 My mirth and edge was loft ; a blunted knife 
 Was of more ufe then 1. 
 
 Thus thinne and lean without a fence or friend, 
 
 I was blown through with ev'ry ftorm and winde. 
 
 Whereas my birth and fpirit rather took 
 
 The way that takes the town ; 
 
 Thou didft betray me to a lingring book, 
 And wrap me in a gown. 
 
 I was entangled in the world of ftrife, 
 
 Before I had the power to change my life. 
 
 Yet, for I threatned oft the fiege to raife, 
 
 Not fimpring all mine age, 
 
 Thou often didft with Academick praife 
 
 Melt and difiblve my rage. 
 
 I took thy fweetened pill, till I came neare ; 
 
 I could not go away, nor perfevere. 
 
 Yet left perchance I mould too happie be 
 
 In my unhappinefTe, 
 Turning my purge to food, thou throweft me 
 
 Into more fickneffes. 
 Thus doth thy power crofs-bias* me, not making 
 Thine own gift good, yet me from my ways taking. 
 
 Now I am here, what thou wilt do with me 
 
 None of my books will mow : 
 
 I reade, and figh, and wifh I were a tree ; 
 
 For fure then I fhould grow 
 
 * An image taken from the bowling-green. So Donne, 
 fpeaking of little fins leading a man to greater : c * it is impoflible 
 to say where a bowl may lie, that is let fall down a hill, though 
 it be let never lb gently out of the hand." — Serm. cliii. 
 
4* 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 To fruit or fliade : at leaft fome bird would truft 
 Her houfhold to me, and I mould be juft. 
 
 Yet, though thou troubled me, I muft be meek ; 
 
 In weakneffe muft be ftout. 
 Well, I will change the fervice, and go feek 
 
 Some other matter out. 
 Ah my deare God ! though I am clean forgot, 
 Let me not love thee, if I love thee not. 
 
 Repentance. 
 
 V 
 
 ORD, I confeffe my finne is great ; 
 Great is my finne. Oh ! gently treat 
 With thy quick flow'r, thy momentarie bloom ; 
 Whofe life ftill preffing 
 Is one undrefling, 
 A fteadie aiming at a tombe. 
 
 Mans age is two houres work, or three ; 
 Each day doth round about us fee. 
 Thus are we to delights : but we are all 
 
 To forrows old, 
 
 Iflifebetold 
 From what life feeleth, Adams fall. 
 
 O let thy height of mercie then 
 Companionate fhort-breathed men, 
 Cut me not off for my moft foul tranfgreffion : 
 
 I do confeffe 
 
 My foolifhneffe ; 
 My God, accept of my confeffion. 
 
THE CHURCH. 4^ 
 
 Sweeten at length this bitter bowl, 
 Which thou halt pour'd into my foul ; 
 Thy wormwood turn to health, windes to fair weather : 
 
 For if thou ftay, 
 
 I and this day, 
 As we did rife, we die together. 
 
 When thou for finne rebukeft man, 
 Forthwith he waxeth wo and wan : 
 Bitterneffe fills our bowels ; all our hearts 
 Pine, and decay, 
 And drop away, 
 And carrie with them th' other parts. 
 
 But thou wilt finne and grief deftroy ; 
 
 That fo the broken bones may joy,* 
 And tune together in a well-fet fong, 
 Full of his praifes 
 Who dead men raifes. 
 
 Fractures well cur'd make us more ftrong. 
 
 Faith. 
 
 LORD, how couldft thou fo much appeafe 
 Thy wrath for finne, as when mans fight 
 was dimme, 
 And could fee little, to regard his eafe 
 
 And bring by Faith all things to him ? 
 
 * "Thou (halt make me hear of joy and gladnefs, that the 
 bones which thou haft broken may rejoice. 11 — Psa. li. 9. 
 
44 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Hungrie I was, and had no meat : 
 I did conceit a moft delicious feaft ; 
 I had it ftraight, and did as truly eat, 
 
 As ever did a welcome gueft. 
 
 There is a rare outlandilh root, 
 Which when I could not get, I thought it here : 
 That apprehenfion cur'd fo well my foot, 
 
 That I can walk to heav'n well neare. 
 
 I owed thoufands and much more : 
 I did believe that I did nothing owe, 
 And liv'd accordingly; my creditor 
 
 Beleeves fo too, and lets me go. 
 
 Faith makes me any thing, or all 
 That I beleeve is in the facred ftorie : 
 And where finne placeth me in Adams fall, 
 
 Faith fets me higher in his glorie. 
 
 If I go lower in the book, 
 What can be lower than the common manger ? 
 Faith puts me there with him, who fweetly took 
 
 Our flefh and frailtie, death and danger. 
 
 If bliffe had lien in art or ftrength, 
 None but the wife or ftrong had gained it : 
 Where now by Faith all arms are of a length , 
 
 One fize doth all conditions fit. 
 
 A peafant may beleeve as much 
 As a great Clerk, and reach the higheft ftature. 
 Thus doft thou make proud knowledge bend and crouch, 
 
 While grace fills up uneven nature. 
 
 When creatures had no reall light 
 Inherent in them, thou didft make the funne, 
 Impute a luftre, and allow them bright : 
 
 And in this mew, what Chrift hath done. 
 
THE CHURCH. 45 
 
 That which before was darlcncd clean 
 With bufhie groves, pricking the lookers eie, 
 Vanifht away, when Faith did change the fcene : 
 
 And then appear'd a glorious ftie. 
 
 What though my bodie run to duft ? 
 Faith cleaves unto it, counting ev'ry grain, 
 With an exact and moit particular truft, 
 
 Referving all for flem again. 
 
 Prayer. 
 
 PRAYER, the Churches banquet, Angels age, 
 Gods breath in man returning to his birth, 
 The foul in paraphrafe, heart in pilgrimage, 
 The Chriftian plummet founding heav'n and earth ; 
 
 Engine againft th' Almightie, finner's towre, 
 
 Reverfed thunder, Chrift-fide-piercing fpear, 
 The fix-daies-world tranfpofing in an houre, 
 
 A kinde of tune, which all things heare and fear ; 
 
 SoftnefTe, and peace, and joy, and love, and bliffe, 
 Exalted Manna, gladnefle of the heft, 
 Heaven in ordinarie, man well dreft, 
 
 The milkie way, the bird of Paradife, 
 
 Church-bels beyond the ftars heard, the fouls bloud, 
 The land of fpices, fomething underftood. 
 
 The Holy Communion. 
 
 NOT in rich furniture, or fine array, 
 Nor in a wedge of gold, 
 Thou, who from me waft fold, 
 To me doft now thyfelf convey; 
 For fo thou fhould'ft without me ftill have been, 
 Leaving within me finne : 
 
46 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But by the way of nourifhment and ftrength, 
 
 Thou creep'ft into my breaft ; 
 
 Making thy way my reft, 
 And thy fmall quantities my length ; 
 Which fpread their forces into every part, 
 
 Meeting finnes force and art. 
 
 Yet can thefe not get over to my foul, 
 
 Leaping the wall that parts 
 
 Our fouls and flefhly hearts ; 
 But as th' outworks, they may controll 
 My rebel-flefh, and carrying thy name, 
 
 Affright both finne and fhame. 
 
 Onely thy grace, which with thefe elements comes, 
 
 Knoweth the ready way, 
 
 And hath the privie key, 
 Op'ning the fouls moft fubtile* rooms : 
 While thofe to fpirits refin'd, at doore attend 
 
 Defpatches from their friend. 
 
 Give me my captive foul, or take 
 
 My body alfo thither. 
 Another lift like this will make 
 
 Them both to be together. 
 
 Before that finne turn'd flefh to ftone, 
 
 And all our lump to leaven ; 
 A fervent figh might well have blown 
 
 Our innocent earth to heaven. 
 
 For fure when Adam did not know 
 
 To finne, or finne to fmother ; 
 He might to heav'n from Paradife go, 
 
 As from one room t' another. 
 
 * The moil fine, delicate, or retired feelings. 
 
THE CHURCH. 47 
 
 Thou haft reftor'd us to this eafe 
 
 By this thy heav'nly bloud, 
 Which I can go to, when I pleafe, 
 And leave th' earth to their food. 
 
 Antiphon.* 
 
 Cbo. 1 ET all the world in ev'ry corner fing, 
 
 I j My God and King. 
 
 Vers. The heav'ns are not too high, 
 
 His praife mav thither flie : 
 
 The earth is not to low, 
 
 His praifes there may grow. 
 
 Cbo. Let all the world in ev'ry corner fing, 
 My God and King. 
 
 Vers. The church with pfalms muft fhout, 
 No doore can keep them out : 
 But above all, the heart 
 Muft bear the longeft part. 
 
 Cbo. Let all the world in ev'ry corner fing, 
 My God and King. 
 
 Love. 
 
 IMMORTALL Love, authour of this great frame, 
 Sprung from that beautie which can never fade ; 
 How hath man parcel'd out thy glorious name, 
 And thrown it on that duft which thou haft made. 
 
 * The Chant, or finging of a choir in church j in which 
 ftrain anfwers ilrain. 
 
48 Herbert's poems. 
 
 While mortall love doth all the title gain ! 
 Which Tiding with invention, they together 
 Bear all the fway, poiTeffing heart and brain, 
 
 (Thy workmanfhip) and give thee fhare in neither. 
 
 Wit fancies beautie, beautie raifeth wit : 
 
 The world is theirs ; they two play out the game, 
 Thou {landing by : and though thy glorious name 
 
 Wrought our deliverance from th' infernall pit, 
 
 Who fmgs thy praife ? onely a fkarf or glove 
 Doth warm our hands, and make them write of 
 love. 
 
 II. 
 
 IMMORTALL Heat, O let thy greater flame 
 Attract the leffer to it : let thole fires 
 Which mall confume the world, hrft make it tame, 
 And kindle in our hearts fuch true deilres, 
 
 As may confume our lufts, and make thee way. 
 
 Then fhall our hearts pant thee ; then mall our 
 All her invention on thine Altar lay, [brain 
 
 And there in hymnes fend back thy fire again : 
 
 Our eies mail fee thee, which before faw duft ; 
 
 Duft blown by wit, till that they both were blinde : 
 Thou fhalt recover all thy gods in kinde, 
 
 Who wert difTeized* by ufurping luft : 
 
 All knees fhall bow to thee ; all wits fhall rife, 
 And praife him who did make and mend our eies. 
 
 DifpofTeiTed. 
 
THE CHURCH. 49 
 
 The Temper. 
 
 TOW fhould I praife thee, Lord ! how fhould 
 my rymes 
 Gladly engrave thy love in fteel, 
 If what my foul doth feel fometimes, 
 My foul might ever feel ! 
 
 Although there were fome fourtie heav'ns or more, 
 Sometimes I peere* above them all ; 
 Sometimes I hardly reach a fcore, 
 Sometimes to hell I fall. 
 
 O rack me not to fuch a vaft extent ; 
 Thofe diftances belong to thee: 
 The world's too little for thy tent, 
 A grave too big for me. 
 
 Wilt thou meet arms with man, that thou doft ftretch 
 A crumme of duft from heav'n to hell ? 
 Will great God meafure with a wretch ? 
 Shall he thy ftature fpell ? 
 
 O let me, when thy roof my foul hath hid, 
 O let me rooft and neftle there : 
 Then of a finner thou art rid, 
 And I of hope and fear. 
 
 Yet take thy way; for fure thy way is beft : 
 Stretch or contract me thy poore debter : 
 This is but tuning of my breaft, 
 To make the mufick better. 
 
 * And hell itfelf will pafs away, 
 
 And leave her dolorous maniions to the peering day." 
 
 Milton : Ode on Nativity, 14.0. 
 E 
 
50 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Whether I flie with angels, fall with duft, 
 Thy hands made both, and I am there. 
 Thy power and love, my love and truft, 
 Make one place everywhere. 
 
 The Temper. 
 
 IT cannot be. Where is that mightie joy. 
 Which juft now took up all my heart ? 
 Lord ! if thou muft needs ufe thy dart, 
 Save that, and me ; or fin for both deftroy 
 
 The groflfer world ftands to thy word and art ; 
 But thy diviner world of grace 
 Thou fuddenly doft raife and race,f 
 
 And every day a new Creatour art. 
 
 O fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers 
 May alfo fix their reverence : 
 For when thou doft depart from hence, 
 
 They grow unruly, and fit in thy bowers. 
 
 Scatter, or binde them all to bend to thee : 
 
 Though elements change, and heaven move ; 
 Let not thy higher Court remove, 
 
 But keep a ftanding Majeftie in me. 
 
 * Lord Herbert of Cherbury tells us that the only fault of his 
 brother George was a quick and pafllonate temper, 
 f Set out. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 Jordan. 
 
 5* 
 
 WHO fayes that fictions onely and falfe hair 
 Become a verfe ? Is there in truth no beautie ? 
 Is all good ftructure in a winding flair ? 
 May no lines pafle, except they do their dutie 
 Not to a true, but painted chair ? 
 
 Is it not verfe, except enchanted groves 
 And fudden arbours fhadow coarfe-fpunne lines ? 
 Muft purling ftreams refrefh a lover's loves ? 
 Mult all be vail'd, while he that reades, divines, 
 Catching the fenfe at two removes ? 
 
 Shepherds are honeft people let them fing : 
 Riddle who lift, for me, and pull for Prime. f 
 I envie no mans nightingale or fpring ; 
 Nor let them punifh me with lofs of ryme, 
 Who plainly fay, My God, My King. 
 
 Employment. 
 
 IF as a flowre doth fpread and die, 
 Thou wouldft extend me to fome good, 
 Before I were bv frofts extremitie 
 
 Nipt in the bud ; 
 
 The fweetnefle and the praife were thine ; 
 But the extenfion and the room, 
 Which in thy garland I mould fill, were mine 
 At thy great doom. 
 
 * Donne, in his fecond fatire, fpeaks of " Maids pulling prime/ 
 but Nares was unable to explain the phrafe. 
 E 2 
 
52 Herbert's poems. 
 
 For as thou doft impart thy grace, 
 The greater fliall our glorie be. 
 The meafure of our joyes is in this place, 
 
 The ftuffe with thee. 
 
 Let me not languifh then, and fpend 
 A life as barren to thy praife 
 As is the dull, to which that life doth tend, 
 But with delaies. 
 
 All things are bufie \ only I 
 Neither bring hony with the bees, 
 Nor flowres to make that, nor the hufbandrie 
 To water thefe. 
 
 I am no link of thy great chain, 
 But all my companie is a weed. 
 Lord, place me in thy con fort ; give one ftrain 
 To my poore reed. 
 
 The Holy Scriptures. 
 
 PART I. 
 
 OH Book ! infinite fweetneffe ! let my heart 
 Suck ev'ry letter, and a hony gain, 
 Precious for any grief in any part ; 
 To cleare the breaft, to mollifie all pain. 
 
 Thou art all health, health thriving, till it make 
 
 A full eternitie : thou art a maffe 
 
 Of ftrange delights, where we may wifh and take. 
 Ladies, look here \ this is the thankfull glafle, 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 53 
 
 That mends the lookers eyes : this is the well 
 That waftes what it fhows. Who can indeare 
 Thy praife too much ? thou art heav'ns Lidger* here, 
 
 Working againft the ftates of death and hell. 
 
 Thou art joyes handfell :f heav'n lies flat in thee, 
 Subject to ev'ry mounters bended knee. 
 
 PART II. 
 
 OH that I knew how all thy lights combine, 
 And the configurations of their glorie ! 
 Seeing not only how each verfe doth fhine, 
 But all the conftellations of the ftorie. 
 
 This verfe marks that, and both do make a motion 
 Unto a third, that ten leaves off" doth lie : 
 Then as difperfed herbs do match % a potion, 
 
 Thefe three make up fome Chriftians deflinie. 
 
 Such are thy fecrets, which my life makes good, 
 And comments on thee : for in ev'ry thing 
 Thy words do finde me out, and parallels bring, 
 
 And in another make me underftood. 
 
 Starres are poore books, and oftentimes do mifTe 
 This book of ftarres lights to eternall blifle. 
 
 * Leaguer, or confederate. 
 
 f An earneft of fomething to follow. 
 
 % All the editions read watch, which is evidently wrong ; 
 match feems to make the line intelligible ; the fcattered herbs 
 brought together from different places compole or make up the 
 potion, or medicinal drink. 
 
54 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Whitfunday. 
 
 LISTEN fweet Dove unto my fong, 
 And fpread thy golden wings in me ; 
 Hatching my tender heart fo long, 
 Till it get wing, and flie away with thee. 
 
 Where is that fire which once defcended 
 On thy Apoftles ? thou didft then 
 Keep open houfe, richly attended, 
 Feafting all comers by twelve chofen men. 
 
 Such glorious gifts thou didft beftow, 
 That th 5 earth did like a heav'n appeare : 
 The ftarres were coming down to know 
 If they might mend their wages, and ferve here. 
 
 The funne, which once did fhine alone, 
 Hung down his head, and wifht for night, 
 When he beheld twelve funnes for one 
 Going about the world, and giving light. 
 
 But fince thofe pipes of gold, which brought 
 That cordiall water to our ground, 
 Were cut and martyr'd by the fault 
 Of thofe who did themfelves through their fide wound. 
 
 Thou fhutt'ft the doore, and keep'ft within; 
 Scarce a good joy creeps through the chink: 
 And if the braves of conqu'ring finne 
 Did not excite thee, we mould wholly fink. 
 
THE CHURCH PORCH. 55 
 
 Lord, though we change, thou art the fame; 
 The fame fweet God of love and light: 
 Reftore this day, for thy great name, 
 Unto his ancient and miraculous right. 
 
 Grace. 
 
 MY ftock lies dead, and no increafe 
 Doth my dull hufbandrie improve 
 O let thy graces without ceafe 
 
 Drop from above! 
 
 If ftill the funne mould hide his face, 
 Thy houfe would but a dungeon prove, 
 Thy works nights captives : O let grace 
 Drop from above! 
 
 The dew doth ev'ry morning fall ; 
 And mail the dew outftrip thy dove ? 
 The dew, for which grafle cannot call, 
 Drop from above. 
 
 Death is ftill working like a mole, 
 And digs my grave at each remove : 
 Let grace work too, and on my foul 
 Drop from above. 
 
 Sinne is ftill hammering my heart 
 Unto a hardnefle, void of love : 
 Let fuppling grace, to croffe his art, 
 Drop from above. 
 
56 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 O come ! for tho\i doft know the way. 
 Or if to me thou wilt not move, 
 Remove me, where I need not fay — 
 Drop from above. 
 
 Praife. 
 
 T 
 
 O write a verfe or two, is all the praife, 
 Tli at I can raife : 
 Mend my eftate in any waves, 
 
 Thou fhalt have more. 
 
 I go to Church ; help me to wings, and I 
 Will thither flie ; 
 Or, if I mount unto the ikie, 
 I will do more. 
 
 Man is all weakneffe ; there is no fuch thing 
 As Prince or King : 
 His arm is fhort ; yet with a fling 
 He may do more. 
 
 A herb deftill'd, and drunk, may dwell next doore, 
 On the fame floore, 
 To a brave foul : Exalt the poore, 
 They can do more. 
 
 O raife me then ! poore bees, that work all day, 
 Sting my delay, 
 Who have a work, as well as they, 
 And much, much more. 
 
THE CHURCH. 57 
 
 Affliction. 
 
 KILL mc not ev'ry day, 
 Thou Lord of life ; fince thy one death for me 
 Is more than all my deaths can be, 
 Though I in broken pay 
 Die over each hour of Methufalems ftay. 
 
 If all mens tears were let 
 Into one common fewer, fea, and brine ; 
 
 What were they all, compar'd to thine ? 
 Wherein if they were fet, 
 They would difcolour thy moft bloudy fweat. 
 
 Thou art my grief alone, 
 Thou Lord conceal it not : and as thou art 
 All my delight, fo all my fmart : 
 
 Thy crofle took up in one, 
 By way of impreft, all my future mone. 
 
 I 
 
 Mattens.* 
 
 CANNOT ope mine eyes, 
 But thou art ready there to catch 
 My morning-foul and facrifice : 
 Then we mull needs for that day make a match. 
 
 My God, what is a heart ? 
 Silver, or gold, or precious ftone, 
 Or ftarre, or rainbow, or a part 
 Of all thefe things, or all of them in one ? 
 
 * Morning worfhip. 
 
58 Herbert's poems. 
 
 My God, what is a heart, 
 That thou fhouldft it fo eye, and woo, 
 Powring upon it all thy art, 
 As if that thou hadft nothing els to do ? 
 
 Indeed man's whole eftate 
 
 Amounts (and richly) to ferve thee : 
 
 He did not heav'n and earth create. 
 
 Yet ftudies them, not him by whom they be. 
 
 Teach me thy love to know; 
 That this new light, which now I fee, 
 May both the work and workman mow; 
 Then by a funne-beam I will climb to thee. 
 
 Sinne, 
 
 OTHAT I could finne once fee ! 
 We paint the devil foul, yet he 
 Hath fome good in him, all agree. 
 Sinne is flat oppofite to th' Almighty, feeing 
 It wants the good of vertue, and of being. 
 
 But God more care of us hath had, 
 
 If apparitions make us fad, 
 
 By fight of finne we mould grow mad. 
 Yet as in fleep we fee foul death, and live ; 
 So devils are our finnes in profpective 
 
THE CHURCH. 59 
 
 Even-fong. 
 
 >LEST be the God of love, 
 Who gave me eyes, and light, and 
 power this day, 
 Both to be bufie, and to play. 
 But much more bleft be God above, 
 
 B' 
 
 Who gave me fight alone, 
 Which to himfelf he did denie : 
 For when he fees my waies, I dy; 
 But I have got his fonne, and he hath none. 
 
 What have I brought thee home 
 For this thy love ? have I discharged the debt, 
 Which this dayes favour did beget ? 
 I ranne ; but all I brought, was fome.* 
 
 Thy diet, care, and coft 
 Do end in bubbles, balls of winde 5 
 Of winde to thee whom I have croft, 
 But balls of wilde-fire to my troubled minde. 
 
 Yet ftill thou goeft on, 
 And now with darkneffe clofeft wearie eyes, 
 Saying to man, It doth fuffice : 
 Henceforth repofe ; your work is done. 
 
 Thus in thy Ebony box 
 Thou doft inclofe us, till the day 
 Put our amendment in our way, 
 And give new wheels to our diforder'd clocks. 
 
 * Foam. 
 
60 HERBERT^ POEMS. 
 
 I mufe, which mows more love, 
 The day or night ; that is the gale, this th' harbour ; 
 That is the walk, and this the arbour ; 
 Or that the garden, this the grove. 
 
 My God, thou art all love. 
 Not one poore minute Tcapes thy breaft, 
 But brings a favour from above ; 
 And in this love, more than in bed* I reft. 
 
 Church-monuments. 
 
 "\ T 7"HILE that my foul repairs to her devotion, 
 
 V V Here I intombe my flefh, that it betimes 
 May take acquaintance of this heap of duft ; 
 To which the blaft of deaths inceffant motion, 
 Fed with the exhalation of our crimes, 
 Drives all at laft. Therefore I gladly truft 
 
 My bodie to this fchool, that it may learn 
 To fpell his elements, and finde his birth 
 Written in duftie heraldrie and lines -> 
 Which diffolution fure doth beft difcern, 
 Comparing duft with duft, and earth with earth. 
 Thefe laugh at Jeat,* and Marble put for fignes, 
 
 To fever the good fellowfhip of duft, 
 And fpoil the meeting. What fliall point out them, 
 When they fhall bow, and kneel, and fall down flat 
 To kifle thofe heaps, which now they have in truft ? 
 Deare flefh, while I do pray, learn here thy ftemme 
 And true defcent -> that when thou fhalt grow fat, 
 
 * Jet. 
 
THE CHURCH. 6l 
 
 And wanton in thy cravings, thou mayft know, 
 That flefh is but the glafTe, which holds the duft 
 That meafures all our time ; which alfo (hall 
 Be crumbled into duft. Mark here below, 
 How tame thefe allies are, how free from luft, 
 That thou mayft fit thyfelf again ft thy fall. 
 
 Church Mufick. 
 
 SWEETEST of fweets, I thank you : when difplea- 
 fure 
 Did through my bodie wound my minde, 
 You took me thence ; and in your houfe of pleafure 
 A daintie lodging me aifign'd. 
 
 Now I in you without a bodie move. 
 
 Rifing and falling with your wings : 
 We both together fweetly live and love, 
 
 Yet fay fometimes, God help poore Kings. 
 
 Comfort, 'He die ; for if you pofte from me, 
 Sure I fhall do fo, and much more : 
 
 But if I travell in your companie, 
 
 You know the way to heavens doore. 
 
 Church-lock and key. 
 
 I KNOW it is my finne, which locks thine eares, 
 And bindes thy hands ! 
 Out-crying my requefts, drowning my tears \ 
 Or elfe the chilnefle of my faint demands. 
 
62 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But as cold hands are angrie with the fire, 
 
 And mend it ftill ; 
 So I do lay the want of my defire, 
 Not on my finnes, or coldneiTe, but thy will. 
 
 Yet heare, O God, onely for his blouds fake, 
 Which pleads for me : 
 For though finnes plead too, yet like ftones they make 
 His blouds fweet current much more loud to be. 
 
 M 
 
 The Church-floore. 
 
 ARK you the floore ? that fquare and fpeckled 
 ftone, 
 Which looks fo firm and ftrong, 
 Is Patience : 
 
 And th' other black ana grave, wherewith each one 
 Is checker'd all along, 
 
 Humilitie : 
 
 The gentle rifing, which on either hand 
 Leads to the Quire above, 
 
 Is Confidence : 
 
 But the fweet cement, which in one fure band 
 Ties the whole frame, is Love 
 
 And Charitie. 
 
 Hither fometimes Sinne fteals, and ftains 
 The marbles neat and curious veins : 
 But all is cleanfed when the marble weeps. 
 
THE CHURCH. 63 
 
 Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore, 
 Blows all the duft about the floore : 
 But while he thinks to fpoil the room, he fweeps. 
 Bleft be the Architect, whofe art 
 Could build fo ftrong in a weak heart. 
 
 The Windows. 
 
 LORD, how can man preach thy eternall word ? 
 He is a brittle crazie glaffe : 
 Yet in thy temple thou doft him afford 
 
 This glorious and tranfcendent place, 
 
 To be a window, through thy grace. 
 But when thou doft anneal* in glaffe thy ftorie, 
 
 Making thy life to mine within 
 The holy Preachers, then the light and glone 
 
 More rev'rend grows, and more doth win ; 
 
 Which elfe mows watrifh, bleak, and thin. 
 Doctrine and life, colours and light, in one 
 
 When they combine and mingle, bring 
 A ftrong regard and aw : but fpeech alone 
 
 Doth vanifh like a flaring thing, 
 
 And in the eare, not confcience ring. 
 
 Trinitie Sunday. 
 
 ORD, who haft form'd me out of mud, 
 f And haft redeem'd me through thy bloud, 
 And fanctifi'd me to do good -> 
 
 * Annealing is heating glafs, that the colours may be fixed. 
 
64 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Purge all my finnes done heretofore ; 
 
 For I confefle my heavie fcore, 
 
 And I will ftrive to finne no more. 
 Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me, 
 
 With faith, with hope, with charitie ; 
 
 That I may runne, rife, reft with thee. 
 
 Content. 
 
 
 PEACE mutt'ring thoughts, and do not grudge to 
 keep 
 Within the walls of your own breaft. 
 Who cannot on his own bed fweetly fleep, 
 Can on anothers hardly reft. 
 
 Gad not abroad at ev'ry queft* and call 
 
 Of an untrained hope or paffion. 
 To court each place or fortune that doth fall, 
 
 Is wantonnefle in contemplation. 
 
 Mark how the fire in flints doth quiet lie, 
 
 Content and warm t' it felf alone : 
 But when it would appeare to others eye, 
 
 Without a knock it never fhone. 
 
 Give me the pliant mind, whofe gentle meafure 
 
 Complies and fuits with all eftates ; 
 Which can let loofe to a crown, and yet with pleafure 
 
 Take up within a cloifters gates. 
 
 * Search, or act of feeking. Milton ufes the word in the 
 Arcades : 
 
 " Fair filver-bufkin'd Nymphs as great and good j 
 I know this l queft' of yours."" 
 
THE CHURCH. 65 
 
 This foul doth fpan the world, and hang content 
 
 From either pole unto the centre : 
 Where in each room of the well-furnifht tent 
 
 He lies warm, and without adventure. 
 
 The brags of life are but a nine dayes wonder : 
 And after death the fumes* that fpring 
 
 From private bodies, make as big a thunder 
 As thofe which rife from a huge King. 
 
 Onely thy Chronicle is loft : and yet 
 
 Better by worms be all once fpent, 
 Than to have hellifh moths ftill gnaw and fret 
 
 Thy name in books, which may not rent. 
 
 When all thy deeds, whofe brunt thou feel'ft alone, 
 Are chaw'd by others pens and tongue, 
 
 And as their wit is, their digeftion, 
 
 Thy nourifht fame is weak or ftrong. 
 
 Then ceafe difcourfing foul, till thine own ground - y 
 
 Do not thyfelf or friends importune. 
 He that by feeking hath himfelf once found, 
 
 Hath ever found a happie fortune. 
 
 The Quidditie.+ 
 
 MY God, a verfe is not a crown \ 
 No point of honour, or gay fuit, 
 No hawk, or banquet, or renown, 
 Nor a good fword, nor yet a lute : 
 
 * Vapours. 
 
 f Originally a fchool term for the nature 01 efTence of a 
 thing j but often ufed as a fynonyme for a quip or quirk 
 
 F 
 
66 Herbert's poems. 
 
 It cannot vault, or dance, or play ; 
 It never was in France or Spain ; 
 Nor can it entertain the day 
 With a great ftable or demain.* 
 
 It is no office, art, or news ; 
 Nor the Exchange, or bufie Hall : 
 But it is that which while I ufe, 
 I am with the?, and Moft take all. 
 
 Humilitie. 
 
 I SAW the Vertues fitting hand in hand 
 In fev'rall ranks upon an azure throne, 
 Where all the beafts and fowls, by their command, 
 Prefented tokens of fubmiiHon. 
 Humilitie, who fat the loweft there 
 
 To execute their call, 
 When by the beafts the prefents tendred were, 
 Gave them about to all. 
 
 The angrie Lion did prefent his paw, 
 Which by confent was giv'n to Manfu etude, f 
 The fearful Hare her eares, which by their law 
 Humilitie did reach to Fortitude. 
 The jealous Turkie brought his corall-chain, 
 
 That went to Temperance. 
 On Juftice was beftow'd the Foxes brain, 
 
 KilPd in the way by chance. 
 
 Domain. f Gentienefs. 
 
THE CHURCH. 67 
 
 At length the Crow, bringing the Peacocks plume, 
 (P^or he would not) as they beheld the grace 
 Of that brave gift, each one began to fume, 
 And challenge it, as proper to his place, 
 Till they fell out ; which when the beafts efpied, 
 
 They leapt upon the throne ; 
 And if the Fox had liv'd to rule their fide, 
 
 They had depofd each one. 
 
 Humilitie, who held the plume, at this 
 
 Did weep fo faft, that the tears trickling down 
 
 Spoil'd all the train : then faying, Here it is 
 
 For which ye wrangle, made them turn their frown 
 
 Againft the beads : fo joyntly bandying,* 
 
 They drive them foon away; 
 And then amerc'df them, double gifts to bring 
 
 At the next Seffion-day. 
 
 Frailtie. 
 
 LORD, in my filence how do I defpife 
 What upon truft 
 Is fryled honour, riches, or fair eyes ; 
 But is fair duft ! 
 I furname them guilded clay, 
 Deare earth, fine grafie or hay; 
 In all, I think my foot doth ever tread 
 Upon their head. 
 
 * Contending together. f To punifh by fine. 
 
 F 2 
 
68 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But when I view abroad both Regiments, 
 
 The worlds, and thine -, 
 Thine clad with fimplenefTe, and fad events $ 
 The other fine, 
 Full of glorie and gay weeds, 
 Brave language, braver deeds : 
 That which was duft before, doth quickly rife, 
 And prick mine eyes. 
 
 O brook not this, left if what even now 
 
 My foot did tread, 
 Affront thofe joyes, wherewith thou didft endow. 
 And long fince wed 
 My poore foul, ev'n fick of love -> 
 It may a Babel prove, 
 Commodious to conquer, heav'n and thee 
 Planted in me. 
 
 Conftancie.* 
 
 WHO is the honeft man ? 
 He that doth ftill and ftrongly good purfue, 
 To God, his neighbour, and himfelf moft true : 
 Whom neither force nor fawning can 
 Unpinne, or wrench from giving all their due. 
 
 Whofe honeftie is not 
 So loofe or eafie, that a ruffling winde 
 Can blow away, or glittering look it blinde : 
 Who rides his fure and even trot, 
 While the world now rides by, now lags behinde. 
 
 * See the fifteenth Pialm. 
 
THE CHURCH. 69 
 
 Who, when great trials come, 
 Nor feeks, nor fhunnes them ; but doth calmly flay, 
 Till he the thing and the example weigh : 
 All being brought into a fumme, 
 What place or perfon calls for, he doth pay. 
 
 Whom none can work or wooe, 
 To ufe in any thing a trick or fleight; 
 For above all things he abhorres deceit : 
 
 His words and works and fafhion too 
 All of a piece, and all are cleare and ftraight. 
 
 Who never melts or thaws 
 At clofe tentations :* when the day is done, 
 His goodnefle fets not, but in dark can runne : 
 
 The funne to others writeth laws, 
 And is their vertue \ Vertue is his Sunne. 
 
 Who, when he is to treat 
 With fick folks, women, thofe whom paflions fway, 
 Allows for that, and keeps his conftant way : 
 Whom others faults do not defeat; 
 But though men fail him, yet his part doth play. 
 
 Whom nothing can procure, 
 When the wide world runnes bias, from his will 
 To writhe his limbes, and fhare, not mend the ill. 
 
 This is the Mark-man, fafe and fure, 
 Who ftill is right, and prayes to be fo ftill. 
 
 Trials or temptations. 
 
*JO HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Affli&ion. 
 
 MY heart did heave, and there came forth, O God ! 
 By that I knew that thou waft in the grief, 
 To guide and govern it to my relief, 
 
 Making a fcepter of the rod : 
 Hadft thou not had thy part, 
 Sure the unruly figh had broke my heart. 
 
 But fince thy breath gave me both life and fhape, 
 Thou knowft my tallies ; * and when there's aflign'd 
 So much breath to a figh, what's then behinde ? 
 Or if fome yeares with it efcape, 
 The fighf then onely is 
 A gale to bring me fooner to my bliffe. 
 
 Thy life on earth was grief, and thou art ftili 
 Conftant unto it, making it to be 
 A point of honour, now to grieve in me, 
 And in thy members fuffer ill. 
 They who lament one croffe, 
 Thou dying dayly, praife thee to thy loffe. 
 
 * A tally is a ftick, cut to agree in fhape with another flick, 
 for the purpofe of keeping accounts. Herbert remembered the 
 PfalmirVs prayer, " So teach us to number our days," &c. The 
 tallies of a life are the reckonings kept of it. 
 
 f Referring to the popular belief that the ftrength is impaired 
 by fighing 5 lb Shakeipere (Hamlet, Act iv. :) 
 
 " And then this mould is like a ipendthrift figh, 
 That hurts by ealing." 
 
B 
 
 THE CHURCH. 71 
 
 The Starre. 
 
 RIGHT fpark, fliot from a brighter place, 
 Where beams furround my Saviours face, 
 Canft thou be any where 
 So well as there ? 
 
 Yet, if thou wilt from thence depart, 
 Take a bad lodging in my heart ; 
 For thou canft make a debter, 
 And make it better. 
 
 Firft with thy fire-work burn to duft 
 Folly, and worfe than folly, lull : 
 Then with thy light refine, 
 And make it fhine. 
 
 So difengag'd from finne and fickneffe, 
 Touch it with thy celeftial quickneffe, 
 That it may hang and move 
 After thy love. 
 
 Then with our trinitie of light, 
 
 Motion, and heat, let's take our flight 
 Unto the place where thou 
 Before didft bow. 
 
 Get me a ftanding there, and place 
 
 Among the beams, which crown the face 
 Of him, who dy'd to part 
 Sinne and my heart : 
 
 That fo among the reft I may 
 
 Glitter, and curie, and winde as they: 
 That winding is their fafliion 
 Of adoration. 
 
J2 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Sure thou wilt joy, by gaining me 
 To flie home like a laden bee 
 Unto that hive of beams, 
 And garland-ftreams 
 
 Sunday. 
 
 o 
 
 DAY moft calm, moft bright, 
 The fruit of this, the next worlds bud, 
 Th' indorfement of fupreme delight, 
 Writ by a friend, and with his bloud ; 
 The couch of time ; cares balm and bay; 
 The week were dark, but for thy light : 
 
 Thy torch doth mow the way. 
 
 The other dayes and thou 
 Make up one man ; whofe face thou art, 
 Knocking at heaven with thy brow : 
 The worky-daies are the back-part ; 
 The burden of the week lies there, 
 Making the whole to ftoup and bow, 
 
 Till thy releafe appeare. 
 
 Man had ftraight forward gone 
 To endleffe death ; but thou doft pull 
 And turn us round to look on one, 
 Whom, if we were not very dull, 
 We could not choofe but look on ftill ; 
 Since there is no place fo alone 
 
 The which he doth not fill. 
 
THE CHURCH. 73 
 
 Sundaies the pillars are, 
 On which heav'ns palace arched lies : 
 The other dayes fill up the fpare 
 And hollow room with vanities. 
 They are the fruitfull beds and borders 
 In Gods rich garden : that is bare 
 
 Which parts their ranks and orders. 
 
 The Sundaies of mans life,* 
 Thredded together on times ftring, 
 Make bracelets to adorn the wife 
 Of the eternall glorious King. 
 On Sunday heavens gate ftands ope ; 
 Bleflings are plentifull and rife, 
 
 More plentifull than hope. 
 
 This day my Saviour rofe, 
 And did inclofe this light for his : 
 That, as each beaft his manger knows, 
 Man might not of his fodder mifle. 
 Chrilt hath took in this piece of ground, 
 And made a garden there for thofe 
 
 Who want herbs for their wound. 
 
 * " The Sunday before his death, he rofe fuddenly from his 
 bed, or couch, called for one of his inftruments, took it into his 
 hand, and laid : 
 
 6 My God, my God, 
 My mulic mail find thee, 
 
 And every thing 
 Shall have his attribute to iing.' 
 
 and having tuned it, he played and fung, { The Sundays of 
 Man's Life,' &c. — Isaak Walton 
 
74 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 The reft of our Creation 
 Our great Redeemer did remove 
 With the fame make, which at his paflion 
 Did th' earth and all things with it move. 
 As Samfon bore the doores away, 
 Chrifts hands, though naiPd, wrought our falvation, 
 
 And did unhinge that day. 
 
 The brightneffe of that day 
 We fullied by our foul offence : 
 Wherefore that robe we caft away, 
 Having a new at his expenfe, 
 Whofe drops of bloud paid the full price, 
 That was requir'd to make us gay, 
 
 And fit for Paradile. 
 
 Thou art a day of mirth : 
 And where the week-dayes trail on ground, 
 Thy flight is higher, as thy birth : 
 O let me take thee at the bound, 
 Leaping with thee from fev'n to fev'n, 
 Till that we both, being toff'd from earth, 
 
 Flie hand in hand to heav'n! 
 
 Avarice. 
 
 MONEY thou bane of blifle, and fource of wo, 
 Whence com'ft thou, that thou art fo frefli 
 and fine ? 
 I know thy parentage is bafe and low : 
 Man found thee poore and dirtie in a mine. 
 
THE CHURCH. 75 
 
 Surely thou didft fo little contribute 
 
 To this great kingdome, which thou now haft got, 
 That he was fain, when thou wert deftitute, 
 
 To digge thee out of thy dark cave and grot. 
 
 Then forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright : 
 Nay, thou haft got the face of man ; for we 
 Have with our ftamp and feal tranfferred our right •> 
 
 Thou art the man, and man but droffe to thee. 
 
 Man calleth thee his wealth, who made thee rich j 
 And while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch. 
 
 Ana-Digram.* 
 
 H 
 
 OW well her name an Army doth prefent, 
 In whom the Lord of hofts did pitch his tent ! 
 
 To all Angels and Saints. 
 
 OH glorious fpirits, who after all your bands 
 See the fmooth face of God, without a frown, 
 Or ftric~t commands ; 
 Where ev'ry one is king, and hath his crown, 
 If not upon his head, yet in his hands : 
 
 Not out of envie or malicioufnefTe 
 Do I forbear to crave your fpeciall aid. 
 
 I would iddrefTe 
 My vows to thee moft glad./, blefled Maid } 
 And Mother of My God, in my diftreffe : 
 
 * A play upon the letters of a name tranfpofed. 
 
76 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Thou art the holy mine, whence came the gold, 
 The great reftorative for all decay- 
 In young and old ; 
 Thou art the cabinet where the Jewell lay : 
 Chiefly to thee would I my foul unfold. 
 
 But now, (alas !) I dare not ; for our King, 
 Whom we do all joyntly adore and praife, 
 
 Bids no fuch thing : 
 And where his pleafure no injunction layes, 
 ('Tis your own cafe) ye never move a wing. 
 
 All worfhip is prerogative, and a flower 
 
 Of his rich crown, from whom lyes no appeal 
 
 At the laft houre . 
 Therefore we dare not from his garland fteal, 
 To make a pofie for inferiour power. 
 
 Although then others court you, if ye know 
 What's done on earth, we fhall not fare the worfe, 
 
 Who do not fo ; 
 Since we are ever ready to difburfe,* 
 If any one our Mafters hand can mow. 
 
 Employment. 
 
 HE that is weary, let him fit. 
 My foul would ftirre 
 And trade in courtefies and wit, 
 Quitting the furre 
 To cold complexions needing it. 
 
 * To fpend, or lay out. 
 
THE CHURCH. ~y 
 
 Man is no ftarre, but a quick coal 
 
 Of mortall fire : 
 Who blows it not, nor doth controll 
 
 A faint defire, 
 Lets his own afhes choke his foul. 
 
 When th' elements did for place conteft 
 With him, whole will 
 
 Ordain'd the higheft to be beft : 
 The earth fat ftill, 
 
 And by the others is oppreft. 
 
 Life is a bufinefTe, not good cheer ; 
 
 Ever in warres. 
 The funne ftill fhineth there or here, 
 
 Whereas the ftarres 
 Watch an advantage to appeare. 
 
 Oh that I were an Orenge-tree, 
 That bufie plant ! 
 
 Then mould I ever laden be, 
 And never want 
 
 Some fruit for him that drefled me. 
 
 But we are ftill too young or old ; 
 
 The man is gone, 
 Before we do our wares unfold : 
 So we freeze on, 
 Until the grave increafe our cold 
 
yS Herbert's poems. 
 
 Deniall. 
 
 WHEN my devotions could not pierce 
 Thy filent eares ; 
 Then was my heart broken, as was my verfe ; 
 My breaft was full of fears 
 And diforder, 
 
 My bent thoughts, like a brittle bow, 
 Did flie afunder : 
 Each took his way ; fome would to pleafures go. 
 Some to the warres and thunder 
 Of alarms. 
 
 As good go any where, they fay, 
 As to benumme 
 Both knees and heart, in crying night and day, 
 Come, come, my God, O come, 
 But no hearing. 
 
 O thou that mouldf]: give duft a tongue 
 To crie to thee, 
 And then not hear it crying ! all day long 
 My heart was in my knee, 
 But no hearing. 
 
 Therefore my foul lay out of fight, 
 
 Untun'd, unitrung : 
 My feeble fpirit unable to look right, 
 Like a nipt bloflbme, hung 
 Difcontented. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 79 
 
 O cheer and tune my heartleffe bread, 
 Deferre no time ; 
 That (o thy favours granting my rcqueft, 
 They and my minde may chime, 
 And mend my ryme. 
 
 Chriftmas. 
 
 ALL after pleafures as I rid one day 
 My horfe and I, both tir'd, bodie and minde, 
 With full crie of affections, quite affray ; 
 I took up in the next inne I could finde. 
 
 There when I came, whom found I but my deare, 
 My deareft Lord, expecting till the grief 
 Of pleafures brought me to him, readie there 
 
 To be all paffengers moft fweet relief? 
 
 O Thou, whofe glorious, yet contracted light, 
 Wrapt in nights mantle, ftole into a manger \ 
 Since my dark foul and brutifh is thy right, 
 
 To Man of all beafts be not thou a ltranger : 
 
 Furnifh and deck my foul, that thou mayft have 
 A better lodging, then a rack or grave. 
 
 THE fhepherds fing ; and (hall I filent be ? 
 My God, no hymne for thee ? 
 My foul's a fhepherd too : a flock it feeds 
 
 Of thoughts, and words, and deeds. 
 The pafture is thy word \ the ftreams thy grace 
 Enriching all the place. 
 
8o Herbert's poems. 
 
 Shepherd and flock fhall fing, and all my powers 
 
 Out-ling the day-light houres. 
 Then we will chide the funne for letting night 
 
 Take up his place and right : 
 We ling one common Lord ; wherefore he mould 
 
 Himfelf the candle hold. 
 I will go fearching, till I finde a funne 
 
 Shall ftay, till we have done ; 
 A willing miner, that fhall mine as gladly 
 
 As froft-nipt funnes look fadly. 
 Then we will fing, and mine all our own day, 
 
 And one another pay : 
 His beams fhall cheer my breaft, and both fo twine, 
 Till ev'n his beams fing, and my mufic mine. 
 
 UngratefulnefTe. 
 
 LORD, with what bountie and rare clemencie 
 Haft thou redeemed us from the grave ! 
 
 If thou hadft let us runne, 
 Gladly had man ador'd the funne, 
 And thought his god moft brave ; 
 Where now we fhall be better gods than he. 
 
 Thou haft but two rare cabinets full of treafure, 
 The Trinitie, and Incarnation ; 
 
 Thou haft unlockt them both, 
 And made them jewels to betroth 
 The work of thy creation 
 Unto thyfelf in everlafting pleafure. 
 
 The ftatelier cabinet is the Trinitie, 
 
 Whofe fparkling light accefs denies : 
 
 Therefore thou doft not fhow 
 This fully to us, till death blow 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 The duft into our eyes ; 
 For by that powder thou v/ilt make us fee. 
 
 But all thy fweets are packt up in the other ; 
 Thy mercies thither flock and flow ; 
 
 That as the firft affrights, 
 This may allure us with delights ; 
 Becaufe this box we know ; 
 For we have all of us juft fuch another. 
 
 But man is clofe, referv'd, and dark to thee ; 
 When thou demanded but a heart, 
 
 He cavils inftantly. 
 In his poore cabinet of bone 
 
 Sinnes have their box apart, 
 Defrauding thee, who gaveft two for one. 
 
 8l 
 
 Sighs and Grones. 
 
 DO not ufe me 
 After my finnes ! look not on my defert, 
 But on thy glorie ! then thou wilt reform, 
 And not refufe me : for thou onely art 
 The mightie God, but I a fillie worm : 
 O do not bruife me ; 
 
 O do not urge me ! 
 For what account can thy ill fteward make ? 
 I have abuf 'd thy ftock, deftroy'd thy woods, 
 Suckt all thy magazens : my head did ake, 
 Till it found out how to confume thy goods : 
 
 O do not fcouree me ! 
 
82 Herbert's poems. 
 
 O do not blind me ! 
 I have deferv'd that an Egyptian night 
 Should thicken all my powers ; becaufe my luft 
 Hath ftill fow'd fig-leaves to exclude thy light : 
 But I am frailtie, and already duft : 
 
 O do not grinde me ! 
 
 O do not fill me 
 With the turn'd viall of thy bitter wrath ! 
 For thou haft other veffels full of blood, 
 A part whereof my Saviour empti'd hath, 
 Ev'n unto death : fince he di'd for my good, 
 
 O do not kill me ! 
 
 But O reprieve me ! 
 For thou haft life and death at thy command ; 
 Thou art both Judge and Saviour, feaft and rod, 
 Cordiall and Corrofive : * put not thy hand 
 Into the bitter box; but O my God, 
 My God, relieve me ! 
 
 The World. 
 
 LOVE built a ftately houfe; where Fortune came: 
 And fpinning phanfies, me was heard to fay, 
 That her fine cobwebs did fupport the frame, 
 Whereas they were fupported by the fame : 
 But Wifdome quickly fwept them all away. 
 
 Then Pleafure came, who liking not the fafhion, 
 Began to make Balcones,f Terraces, 
 Till fhe had weakened all by alteration : 
 But rev'rend laws, and many a proclamation 
 Reformed all at length with menaces. 
 
 # Whatever waftes away. f Balconies. 
 
THE CHURCH. 8 ] 
 
 Then enter'd finnc, and with that Sycomore, 
 
 Whofe leaves fir ft fheltred man from drought and dew, 
 
 Working and winding flily evermore, 
 
 The inward walls and Sommers cleft and tore : 
 
 But Grace fhor'd* thefe, and cut that as it grew. 
 
 Then Sinne combined with Death in a firm band, 
 To rafe the building to the very floore : 
 Which they effected, none could them withftand ; 
 But Love and Grace took Glorie by the hand, 
 And built a braver Palace then before. 
 
 Coloff. iii. 3, 
 
 OUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD. 
 
 MY words and thoughts do both exprefTe this 
 notion, 
 That Life hath with the fun a double motion. 
 The firft Is ftraight, and our diurnall f friend ; 
 The other Hid, and doth obliquely bend. 
 One life is wrapt In flefh, and tends to earth : 
 The other winds towards Him, whofe happie birth 
 Taught me to live here fo, That ftill one eye 
 Should aim and fhoot at that which Is on high ; 
 Quitting with daily labour all My pleafure, 
 To gain at harveft an eternall Treafure. 
 
 Vanitie. 
 
 THE fleet Aftronomer can bore 
 And thread the fpheres with his quick- 
 piercing minde : 
 He views their ftations, walks from doore to doore, 
 Surveys, as if he had defign'd 
 
 * Propped, or fupported. f Daily. 
 
 G 2 
 
8+ Herbert's poems. 
 
 To make a purchafe there : he fees their dances, 
 
 And knoweth long before, 
 Both their full-ey'd afpects, and fecret glances, 
 
 The nimble Diver with his fide 
 Cuts through the working waves, that he may fetch 
 His dearely-earned pearl, which God did hide 
 
 On purpofe from the ventrous wretch ; 
 That he might fave his life, and alfo hers. 
 
 Who with exceflive pride 
 Her own deftruction and his danger wears. 
 
 The fubtil Chymick can deveft 
 And ftrip the creature naked, till he finde 
 The callow* principles within their neft: 
 
 There he imparts to them his minde, 
 Admitted to their bed-chamber, before 
 
 They appeare trim and dreft 
 To ordinarie fuitours at the doore. 
 
 What hath not man fought out and found, 
 But his deare God ? who yet his glorious law 
 Embofomes in us, mellowing the ground 
 
 With fhowers and frofts, with love and aw ; 
 So that we need not fay, Where's this command ? 
 
 Poore man ! thou fearcheft round 
 To finde out death, but mifTeft life at hand. 
 
 Lent. 
 
 WELCOME, deare feaft of Lent : who loves 
 not thee, 
 He loves not Temperance, or Authoritie, 
 But is compof 'd of paflion. 
 
 * Unfeathered. 
 
THE CHURCH. 85 
 
 The Scriptures bid us faft; the Church (ays, now: 
 Give to thy Mother what thou wouldfr. allow 
 To ev'ry Corporation. 
 
 The humble foul compoPd of love and fear, 
 Begins at home, and layes the burden there, 
 
 When doctrines difagree : 
 He fayes, in things which ufe hath juftly got, 
 I am a fcandall to the Church, and not 
 
 The Church is fo to me. 
 
 True Chriftians mould be glad of an occafion 
 To ufe their temperance, feeking no evafion, 
 
 When good is feafonable ; 
 Unleffe Authoritie, which mould increafe 
 The obligation in us, make it leffe, 
 
 And Power it felf difable. 
 
 Befides the cleannefTe of fweet abftinence, 
 Quick thoughts and motions at a fmall expenfe, 
 
 A face not fearing light : 
 Whereas in fulneffe there are fluttifh fumes, 
 Sowre exhalations, and difhoneft rheumes, 
 
 Revenging the delight. 
 
 Then thofe fame pendant* profits, which the fpring 
 And Eafter intimate, enlarge the thing, 
 
 And goodnefle of the deed. 
 Neither ought other mens abufe of Lent 
 Spoil the good ufe ; left by that argumen 
 
 We forfeit all our creed. 
 
 * Profits hanging like fruits, to be gathered in due feafon. 
 
86 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Irs true, we cannot reach Chrifcs forti'th day; 
 Yet to go part of that religious way 
 
 Is better than to reft : 
 We cannot reach our Saviours puritie ; 
 Yet are we bid, " Be holy ev'n as he." 
 
 In both let's do our beft. 
 
 Who goeth in the way which Chrift hath gone, 
 Is much more fure to meet with him, than one 
 
 That travelleth by-wayes. 
 Perhaps my God, though he be farre before, 
 May turn, and take me by the hand, and more, 
 
 May ftrengthen my decayes. 
 
 Yet, Lord, inftrucT: us to improve our faft 
 By ftarving finne and taking fuch repaft 
 
 As may our faults controll : 
 That ev'ry man mav revell at his doore, 
 Not in his parlour ; banquetting the poore. 
 
 And among thofe his foul. 
 
 Vertue.* 
 
 SWEET day, fo cool, fo calm, fo bright, 
 The bridal of the earth and fkie : 
 The dew mall weep thy fall to night ; 
 
 For thou muft die. 
 
 * Pifcatoi. — " And now, fcholar ! My direction for thy fifli- 
 ing is ended with this fhower, for it has done raining. And now 
 look about you, and fee how pleafantly that meadow looks j nay, 
 and the earth fmells as fweetly too. Ccme, let me tell you what 
 holy Herbert fays of fuch days and mowers as thefe j and then 
 we will thank God that we enjoy them. 
 
 " Sweet day — fo cool, fo calm, fo bright." 
 
 Walton's Complete Angler, ch. v. 
 
THE CHURCH. 8/ 
 
 Sweet rofe, whofc hue angrie and brave 
 Bids the rafh gazer wipe his eye, 
 Thy root is ever in its grave, 
 
 And thou muft die. 
 
 Sweet fpring, full of fweet days and rofes, 
 A box where fweets compacted lie, 
 My mufick mows ye have your clofes, 
 And all muft die. 
 
 Onely a fweet and vertuous foul, 
 Like feafoned timber, never gives ; 
 But though the whole world turn to coal, 
 Then chiefly lives. 
 
 The Pearl. 
 
 Matt. xiii. 
 
 I KNOW the wayes of learning ; both the head 
 And pipes that feed the preffe, and make it runne ; 
 What reafon hath from nature borrowed, 
 Or of itfelf, and like a good hufwife,* fpunne 
 In laws and policie ; what the ftarres confpire, 
 What willing nature fpeaks, what forcM by fire ; 
 Both th' old difcoveries, and the new-found feas, 
 The flock and furplus, caufe and hiftorie : 
 All thefe ftand open, or I have the keyes : 
 
 Yet I love thee. 
 
 * Coarfe complexions 
 And cheeks of lorry grain will ferve to ply 
 The fampler, and to teafe th? huf wife's wool. 
 
 Comus, 56. 
 
35 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 1 know the wayes of honour, what maintains 
 The quick returns of courtefie and wit : 
 In vies of favours whether partie gains. 
 When glorie fwells the heart, and moldeth it 
 To all expreilions both of hand and eye, 
 Which on the world a true-love-knot may tie, 
 And bear the bundle, wherefoe're it goes : 
 How many drammes of fpirit there muft be 
 To fell my life unto my friends or foes : 
 
 Yet I love thee. 
 
 I know the wayes of pleafure, the fweet ftrains, 
 The lullings and the relifhes of it ; 
 The proportions of hot bloud and brains ; 
 What mirth and mufick mean ; what love and wit 
 Have done thefe twentie hundred years, and more : 
 I know the projects of unbridled ftore : 
 My ftuffe is flefli, not braffe ; my fenfes live, 
 And grumble oft, that they have more in me 
 Than he that curbs them, being but one to five : 
 
 Yet I love thee. 
 
 I know all thefe, and have them in my hand : 
 Therefore not fealed, but with open eyes 
 I flie to thee, and fully underftand 
 Both the main fale, and the commodities ; 
 And at what rate and price I have thy love ; 
 With all the circumftances that may move ; 
 Yet through the labyrinths, not my groveling wit, 
 But thy filk twift let down from heav'n to me, 
 Did both conduct and teach me, how by it 
 
 To climb to thee, 
 
THE CHURCH. £9 
 
 Affli&ion. 
 
 BROKEN in pieces all afunder, 
 Lord, hunt me not, 
 A thing forgot, 
 Once a poore creature, now a wonder, 
 A wonder tortur'd in the fpace 
 Betwixt this world and that of grace. 
 
 My thoughts are all a cafe of knives, 
 Wounding my heart 
 With fcattered fmart ; 
 As wat'ring pots give flowers their lives. 
 Nothing their furie can controll, 
 While they do wound and prick my foul. 
 
 All my attendants are at ftrife, 
 
 Quitting their place 
 Unto my face : 
 Nothing performs the tafk of life : 
 
 The elements are let loofe to fight, 
 And while I live, trie out their right. 
 
 Oh help, my God! let not their plot 
 Kill them and me, 
 And alfo thee, 
 Who art my life : diffolve the knot, 
 
 As the funne fcatters by his light 
 All the rebellions of the night. 
 
 Then mail thofe powers, which work for grief, 
 Enter thy pay, 
 And day by day 
 Labour thy praife, and my relief; 
 
 With care and courage building me, 
 Till I reach heav'n, and much more thee. 
 
QO 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Man. 
 
 MY God, I heard this day, 
 That none doth build a ftately habitation 
 But he that means to dwell therein. 
 What houfe more ftately hath there been , 
 Or can be, then is Man ? to whofe creation 
 All things are in decay. 
 
 For Man is ev'ry thing, 
 
 And more : He is a tree, yet bears no fruit. 
 
 A beaft, yet is, or mould be more : 
 
 Reafon and fpeech we onely bring. 
 
 Parrats may thank us, if they are not mute, 
 
 They go upon the fcore. 
 
 Man is all fymmetrie, 
 Full of proportions, one limbe to another, 
 And all to all the world befides : 
 Each part may call the fartheft, brother : 
 For head with foot hath private amitie, 
 
 And both with moons and tides. 
 
 Nothing hath got fo farre, 
 But Man hath caught and kept it, as his prey. 
 His eyes difmount the higheft ftarre : 
 He is in little all the fphere. 
 Herbs gladly cure our flefh, becaufe that they 
 Finde their acquaintance there. 
 
 For us the windes do blow ; 
 The earth doth reft, heav'n move, and fountains flow. 
 Nothing we fee, but means our good, 
 As our delight, or as our treafure : 
 The whole is, either our cupboard of food, 
 Or cabinet of pleafure. 
 
THE CHURCH. 91 
 
 The ftarres have us to bed ; 
 
 Night draws the curtain, which the funne withdraws : 
 
 Mufick and light attend our head, 
 
 All things unto our flem are kinde 
 In their defcent and being; : to our minde 
 In their afcent and caufe. 
 
 .Each thing is full of dutie : 
 Waters united are our navigation ; 
 Diftinguifhed, our habitation ; 
 Below, our drink ; above, our meat : 
 Both are our cleanlineffe.* Hath one fuch beautie ? 
 Then how are all things neat ! 
 
 More fervants wait on Man, 
 Than he'l take notice of: in ev'ry path 
 
 He treads down that which doth befriend him, 
 When ficknefTe makes him pale and wan. 
 Oh mightie love ! Man is one world, and hath 
 Another to attend him. 
 
 * Mr. Coleridge fays — " I underftand this but imperfeclly — 
 diftinguifhed — they form an ifland ?" may we not rather feek an 
 interpretation in the firft chapter of Generis (9. 10) 5 the waters 
 diftinguifhed, are the waters feparated from the diy land, which 
 then appears and becomes the habitation of man 5 the waters 
 united, are the gathering together of the waters which God 
 called leas j below, they are our fountains and dreams to drink ; 
 above, they are our meat, becaufe the hufbandman waiteth for 
 the early and the latter rain. Both are our cleanlinefs. In the 
 verses on Lent, Herbert had fpoken of ' the cleannefs of fweet 
 abftinence, 1 the gentle thoughts and emotions which it gives, and 
 the * face not fearing light.' Perhaps in this poem he employs 
 cleanlinefs in the fame wide fenfe • as exprefTing the beauty, frefh- 
 nefs, purity, and delight of which water, in its many fhapes and 
 bleffings, is made the minifter to mankind. 11 
 
92 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Since then, my God, thou haft 
 So brave a Palace built ; O dwell in it, 
 
 That it may dwell with thee at laft! 
 
 Till then, afford us fo much wit ; 
 That, as the world ferves us, we may ferve thee, 
 And both thy fervants be. 
 
 Antiphon. 
 
 Chor. T)RAtSED be the God of love, 
 JL Men. Here below, 
 
 Ang. And here above : 
 
 Chor. Who hath dealt his mercies fo, 
 Ang. To his friend, 
 Men. And to his foe ; 
 
 Chor. That both grace and glorie tend 
 Ang. Us of old, 
 Men. And us in th' end. 
 
 Chor. The great Shepherd of the fold 
 Ang. Us did make, 
 Men. For us was fold. 
 
 Chor. He our foes in pieces brake : 
 Ang. Him we touch ; 
 Men. And him we take. 
 
 Chor. Wherefore fince that he is fuch, 
 Ang. We adore, 
 Men. And we do crouch. 
 
 Chor. Lord, thy praifes fhould bee more. 
 Men. We have none, 
 Ang. And we no ftore. 
 
 Chor.. Praifed be the God alone 
 
 Who hath made of two folds one. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 Unkindneffe. 
 
 LORD, make me coy and tender to offend : 
 In friendfhip, firft I think, if that agree, 
 Which I intend, 
 Unto my friends intent and end. 
 I would not ufe a friend, as I ufe Thee. 
 
 If any touch my friend, or his good name, 
 It is my honour and my love to free 
 
 His blafted fame 
 From the leaft fpot or thought of blame 
 I could not ufe a friend, as I ufe Thee. 
 
 My friend may fpit upon my curious floore : 
 Would he have gold ? I lend it inftantly ; 
 
 But let the poore, 
 And thou within them ftarve at doore. 
 I cannot ufe a friend, as I ufe Thee. 
 
 When that my friend pretendeth to a place, 
 I quit my intereft, and leave it free : 
 
 But when thy grace 
 Sues for my heart, I thee difplace ; 
 Nor would I ufe a friend, as I ufe Thee. 
 
 Yet can a friend what thou haft done fulfill ? 
 O write in brafs, My God upon a tree 
 
 His bloud did fpill, 
 Onely to purchafe my good-will : 
 Yet ufe I not my foes, as I ufe thee. 
 
 9^ 
 
94 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Life. 
 
 I MADE a pofie,* while the day ran by : 
 Here will I fmell my remnant out, and tie 
 My life within this band. 
 But time did becken to the flowers, and they 
 By noon mod cunningly did fteal away, 
 
 And wither' d in my hand. 
 
 My hand was next to them, and then my heart ; 
 I took, without more thinking, in good part 
 
 Times gentle admonition ; 
 Who did fo fweetly deaths fad tafte convey, 
 Making my minde to fmell my fatall day, 
 
 Yet fugring the fafpicion. 
 
 Farewell, dear flowers, fweetly your time ye fpent, 
 Fit, while ye liv'd, for fmell or ornament, 
 
 And after death for cures. 
 I follow ftraight without complaints or grief, 
 Since if my fcent be good, I care not if 
 
 It be as fhort as yours. 
 
 Submiilion. 
 
 BUT that thou art my wifdome, Lord, 
 And both mine eyes are thine, 
 My minde would be extreamly ftirr'd 
 For mifling my defigne. 
 
 * Pofie is a contraction of poefy ; here it means a wreath, or 
 cluftei of flowers. 
 
THE CHURCH. 95 
 
 Were it not better ro beftow 
 
 Some place and power on me ? 
 
 Then fhould thy praifes with me grow, 
 And fhare in my degree. 
 
 But when I thus difpute and grieve, 
 
 I do refume my fight ; 
 And pilfring what I once did give, 
 
 Difleize* thee of thy right. 
 
 How know I, if thou fhouldft me raife, 
 That I fhould then raife thee r 
 
 Perhaps great places and thy praife 
 Do not fo well agree. 
 
 Wherefore unto my gift I ftand ; 
 
 I will no more advife : 
 Onely do thou lend me a hand, 
 
 Since thou haft both mine eyes. 
 
 Juftice. 
 
 I CANNOT (kill of thefe thy ways : 
 Lord, thou didft make me, yet thou woundeft me : 
 Lord, thou doft wound me, yet thou doft relieve me : 
 Lord, thou relieveft, yet I die by thee : 
 Lord, thou doft kill me, yet thou doft reprieve me. 
 
 * Depiive. 
 
96 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But when I mark my life and praife, 
 Thy juftice me moft fitly payes : 
 For, I do praife thee, yet I praife thee not : 
 My prayers mean thee, yet my prayers ftray : 
 I would do well, yet finne the hand hath got : 
 iVly foul doth love thee, yet it loves delay. 
 I cannot fkill of thefe my ways. 
 
 w 
 
 Charms and Knots. 
 
 HO reade a chapter when they rife, 
 Shall ne'ere be troubled with ill eves. 
 
 A poor mans rod, when thou doft ride, 
 Is both a weapon and a guide. 
 
 Who fhuts his hand, hath loft his gold : 
 Who opens it, hath it twice told. 
 
 Who goes to bed, and doth not pray, 
 Maketh two nights to ev'ry day. 
 
 Who by afperfions throw a ftone 
 At th' head of others, hit their own. 
 
 Who looks on ground with humble eyes, 
 Findes himfelf there, and feeks to rife. 
 
 When th' hair is fweet through pride or luft, 
 The powder doth forget the duft. 
 
THE CHURCH. 97 
 
 Take one from ten, and what remains ?* 
 Ten ftill, if fermons go for gains. 
 
 In fhallow waters heav'n doth {how * 
 But who drinks on, to hell may go. 
 
 Affli&ion. 
 
 t 
 
 MY God, I read this day, 
 TI 
 
 'hat planted Paradife was not fo firm, 
 s was and is thy floting Ark; whofe ftay 
 nd anchor thou art onely, to confirm 
 
 And ftrengthen it in ev'ry age, 
 
 When waves do rife, and tempefts rage. 
 
 At firft we lived in pleafure; 
 Thine own delights thou didft to us impart : 
 When we grew wanton, thou didft ufe difpleafure 
 To make us thine : yet that we might not part, 
 As we at fiift did board with thee, 
 Now thou would ft tafte our miferie. 
 
 There is but joy and grief; 
 If either will convert us, we aie thine : 
 Some Angels uf'd the firft; if our relief 
 Take up the fecond, then thy double line 
 
 And fev'rall baits in either kinde 
 
 Furnifh thy table to thy minde. 
 
 * The meaning is that the tythes of the Prieft are repaid by 
 his fervices. The thought is found in Proverbs (iii. 9, 10) : 
 " Honour the Lord with thy fubftance, and with the firft fruits of 
 all thine increaie ; ib mall thy barns be filled with plenty, and 
 thy orelTes mall burft cut with new wine '" 
 
 H 
 

 98 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Affliction then is ours ; 
 We are the trees, whom making faftens more, 
 While bluftring windes deftroy the wanton bowres, 
 And ruffle all their curious knots and ftore. 
 My God, fo temper joy and wo, 
 That thy bright beams may tame thy bow. 
 
 Mortification.* 
 
 HOW foon doth man decay ! 
 When clothes are taken from a cheft of fweets, 
 To fwaddle infants, whofe young breath 
 
 Scarce knows the way ; 
 Thofe clouts are little winding meets, 
 Which do conligne and fend them unto death. 
 
 When boyes go firft to bed, 
 They ftep into their voluntarie graves ; 
 Sleep bindes them faft ; onely their breath 
 
 Makes them not dead. 
 Succeffive nights, like rolling waves, 
 Convey them quickly, who are bound for death. 
 
 * In this time of his decay he would often fpeak to this pur- 
 pofe : " I now look back upon the pleafures of my life paft, and 
 fee the content I have taken in beauty, in wit, and muiic, and 
 pleafant converfation, are now all pafled by me like a dream, or 
 as a fhadow that returns not, and are now all become dead to me, 
 or I to them 5 and I fee that as my father and generation hath 
 done before me, fo I alfo mail now fuddenly (with Job) make 
 my bed alfo in the dark ; and I praife God I am prepared for it, 
 and I praiie him that I am not to learn patience now I ftand in 
 fuch need of it, and that I have pra£tifed Mortification, and 
 endeavoured to die daily, that I might not die eternally. ,,, — 
 j sa*k Walton. 
 
THE CHURCH. 99 
 
 When youth is frank and free, 
 And calls for mufick, while his veins do fwell, 
 All day exchanging mirth and breath 
 In companie ; 
 That mufick fummons to the knell, 
 Which mall befriend him at the houfe of death. 
 
 When man grows ftaid and wife, 
 Getting a houfe and home, where he may move 
 Within the circle of his breath, 
 
 Schooling his eyes ; 
 That dumb inclofure maketh love 
 Unto the coffin, that attends his death. 
 
 When age grows low and weak, 
 ivlarking his grave, and thawing ev'ry year, 
 Till all do melt, and drown his breath 
 
 When he would fpeak ; 
 A chair or litter mows the biere, 
 Which ftiali convey him to the houfe of death. 
 
 Man, ere he is aware, 
 Hath put together a folemnitie, 
 
 And dreft his hearfe, while he has breath 
 
 As yet to fpare. 
 
 Yet, Lord, inftruct us fo to die 
 
 That all thefe dyings may be life in death. 
 
 Decay. 
 
 SWEET were the days, when thou didft lodge with 
 Lot, 
 Struggle with Jacob, fit with Gideon, 
 Advife with Abraham, when thy power could not 
 Encounter Mofes ftrong complaints and moan : 
 Thy words were then, Let me alone. 
 F 2 
 
100 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 One might have fought and found thee prefently 
 At fome fair oak, or bufh, or cave, or well : 
 Is my God this way ? No, they would reply - 9 
 He is to Sinai gone, as we heard tell : 
 
 Lift, ye may heare great Aarons bell. 
 
 But now thou doft thyfelf immure and clofe 
 In fome one corner of a feeble heart : 
 Where yet both Sinne and Satan, thy old foes, 
 Do pinch and ftraiten thee, and uie much ait 
 To gain thy thirds and little part. 
 
 I fee the world grows old, when as the heat 
 Of thy great love once fpread, as in an urn 
 Doth clofet up itfelf, and ftill retreat, 
 Cold finne ftill forcing it, till it return 
 
 And calling Juftice, all things burn. 
 
 Miferie. 
 
 LORD, let the Angels praife thy name. 
 Man is a fooliih thing, a fooliih thing, 
 tolly and Sinne play all his game. 
 His houfe ftill burns ; and yet he ftill doth fing, 
 Man is but grafle, 
 He knows it, fill the glafTe. 
 
 How canft thou brook his fooliihnefTe ? 
 Why, hc'l not lofe a cup of drink for thee : 
 
 Bid him but temper his excefie \ 
 Not he : he knows, where he can better be 
 As he will fwear, 
 Then to ferve thee in fear. 
 
THE CHURCH. 101 
 
 What Arrange pollutions doth he wed, 
 And make his own ? as if none knew, but he. 
 
 No man fhall beat into his head 
 That thou within his curtains drawn canft fee : * 
 They are of cloth, 
 Where never yet came moth. 
 
 The bcft of men, turn but thy hand 
 For one poore minute, ftumble at a pinne : 
 
 They would not have their actions fcann'd, 
 Nor any forrow tell them that they finne, 
 Though it be fmall, 
 And meafure not their fall. 
 
 They quarrell f thee, and would give over 
 The bargain made to ferve thee : but thy love 
 
 Holds them unto it, and doth cover 
 Their follies with the wing of thy milde Dove, 
 Not fufPring thofe 
 Who would, to be thy foes. 
 
 My God, man cannot praife thy name : 
 Thou art all brightnelTe, perfect puritie : 
 
 The funne holds down his head for fhame, 
 
 I Dead with eclipfes, when we fpeak of thee. 
 How mall infection 
 Prefume on thy perfection ? 
 i 
 
 " Thou art about my path, and about my bed." — Pfa. 
 ix. 2. 
 
 f " Quarrel " is found as a verb active in the elder poets : 
 Ben Jonion (" Every Man in his Humour' 1 ) has it : 
 
 " And now that I had 'quarrelled * 
 My brother purpofely/ 
 
102 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 As dirtie hands foul all they touch, 
 And thofe things moft, which are moft pure and fine : 
 
 So our clay hearts, ev'n when we crouch 
 To fing thy praifes, make them lefle divine. 
 Yet either this, 
 Or none thy portion is. 
 
 Man cannot ferve thee ; let him go 
 And ferve the fwine : there, there is his delight : 
 
 He doth not like this vertue, no ; 
 Give him his dirt to wallow in all night ; 
 Thefe Preachers make 
 His head to moot and ake. 
 
 Oh foolifh man ! where are thine eyes ? 
 How haft thou loft them in a crowd of cares ? 
 
 Thou pull'ft the rug, and wilt not rife, 
 No not to purchafe the whole pack of ftarres : 
 There let them mine, 
 Thou muft go fleep, or dine. 
 
 The bird that fees a daintie bowre 
 Made in the tree, where fhe was wont to fit, 
 Wonders and fings, but not his power 
 Who made the arbor : this exceeds her wit. 
 But man doth know 
 The fpring, whence all things flow: 
 
 And yet as though he knew it not, 
 His knowledge winks, and lets his humours reigne : 
 
 They make his life a conftant blot, 
 And all the bloud of God to run in vain. 
 
 Ay, wretch ! what verfe 
 Can thy ftrange wayes rehearfe ? 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 Indeed at firft Man was a treafure, 
 A box of jewels, ftiop of rarities, 
 
 A ring, whofe pofie* was, My pleafure : 
 He was a garden in a Paradife : 
 
 Glorie and grace 
 Did crown his heart and face. 
 
 But finne hath fooPd him. Now he is 
 A lump of flefh, without a foot or wing 
 To raife him to the glimpfe of blilTe : 
 A fick tofFd veffel, dafhing on each thing; 
 Nay, his own fhelf : 
 My God, I mean myfelf. 
 
 103 
 
 Jordan. 
 
 WHEN firft my lines of heav'nly joyes made 
 mention, 
 Such was their lustre, they did fo excell, 
 That I fought out quaint words, and trim invention ; 
 My thoughts began to burnifh, fprout, and fwell, 
 Curling with metaphors a plain intention, 
 Decking the fenfe, as if it were to fell. 
 
 Thoufands of notions in my brain did runne, 
 
 OfPring their fervice, if I were not fped: 
 
 I often blotted what I had begunne ; 
 
 This was not quick enough, and that was dead. 
 
 Nothing could feem too rich to clothe the funne, 
 
 Much leffe thofe joyes which trample on his head. 
 
 * The motto round a rino:. 
 
104 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 As flames do work and winde, when they afcend; 
 So did I weave myfelf into the fenfe. 
 But while I buftled, I might hear a friend 
 Whifper, How wide is all this long pretence! 
 There is in love a fweetneffe ready penn'd: 
 Copie out onely that, and iave expenfe. 
 
 Prayer, 
 
 OF what an eafie quick accefTe, 
 My blefled Lord, art thou ! how fuddenly 
 May our requefts thine eare invade! 
 To ftiew that ftate diflikes not eafmefTe, 
 If I but lift mine eyes, my fiat is made : 
 Thou canft no more not heare, than thou canft die 
 
 Of what fupreme almightie power 
 Is thy great arm which fpans the eaft and weft, 
 
 And tacks the centre to the fphere! 
 By it do all things live their meafur'd houre: 
 We cannot afk the thing, which is not there 
 Blaming the fhallownefle of our requeft. 
 
 Of what unmeafurable love 
 Art thou poffeft, who, when thou couldft not die, 
 
 Wert fain to take our flelh and curfe, 
 And for our fakes in perfon finne reprove; 
 That by deftroying that which ty'd thy purfe, 
 Thou mightft make way for liberalitie ! 
 
 Since then thefe three wait on thy throne, 
 Eafe, Power, and Love; I value Prayer fo, 
 That were I to leave all but one, 
 
THE CHURCH. IO5 
 
 Wealth, fame, endowments, vertues, all fhould go \ 
 I and deare Prayer would together dwell, 
 And quickly gain, for each inch loft, an ell. 
 
 Obed 
 
 lence. 
 
 M 
 
 "Y God, if writings may 
 Convey a Lordihip any way 
 Whither the buyer and the feller pieafe ; 
 
 Let it not thee difpleafe, 
 If this poore paper do as much as they. 
 
 On it my heart doth bleed 
 As many lines, as there doth need 
 To pafTe itfelf and all it hath to thee, 
 
 To which I do agree, 
 And here prefent it as my fpeciall deed.* 
 
 If that hereafter Pleafure 
 Cavill, and claim her part and meafure, 
 As if this parted with a refervation, 
 
 Or fome fuch words in fafhon ; 
 I here exclude the wrangler from thy treafure. 
 
 O let thy facred will 
 All thy delight in me fulfill ! 
 Let me not think an action mine own way, 
 
 But as thy love fhall fway, 
 Refigning up the rudder to thy (kill. 
 
 * Herbert's Country Parfon was to be all to his parim, arid 
 not only a Pallor, but a Lawyer alio, (ch. xxiii.) ; here he adopts 
 the legal exprelTion for a conveyance, " I deliver this as my act 
 and deed." 
 
io6 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Lord, what is man to thee, 
 That thou fhouldft minde a rotten tree ? 
 Yet fince thou canft not choofe but fee my anions 
 
 So great are thy perfections, 
 Thou mayft as well my actions guide, as fee. 
 
 Befides, thy death and bloud 
 Show'd a ftrange love to all our good : 
 Thy forrows were in earneft ; no faint proffer, 
 
 Or fuperficial offer 
 Of what we might not take, or be withftood. 
 
 Wherefore I all forego : 
 To one word onely I say, No : 
 Where in the deed there was an intimation 
 
 Of a gift or donation, 
 Lord, let it now by way of purchafe go. 
 
 He that will paffe his land, 
 As I have mine, may fet his hand 
 And heart unto this deed, when he hath read > 
 
 And make the purchafe fpread 
 To Loth our goods, if he to it will ftand. 
 
 How happie were my part, 
 If fome kinde man would thruft his heart 
 Into thefe lines ; till in heav'ns court of rolls 
 
 They were by winged fouls 
 Entred for both, farre above their defert ! 
 
 Confcience, 
 
 ^EACE pratler, do not lowre : 
 
 Not a fair look, but thou doft call it foul : 
 Not a fweet dim, but thou doft call it fowre : 
 Mufick to thee doth howl. 
 
 F 
 
THE CHURCH. IO7 
 
 By liftning to thy chatting fears 
 
 I have both loft mine eyes and eares. 
 
 Pratler, no more, I fay, 
 My thoughts muft work, but like a noifelefTe fphere. 
 Harmonious peace muft rock them all the day: 
 No room 4 for pratlers there. 
 If thou perfifteft, I will tell thee, 
 That I have phyfick to expell thee. 
 
 And the receit mail be 
 My Saviours bloud : whenever at his board 
 1 do but tafte it, ftraight it cleanfeth me, 
 And leaves thee not a word ; 
 No, not a tooth or nail to fcratch, 
 And at my actions carp, or catch. 
 
 Yet if thou talkeft ftill, 
 Befides my phyfick, know there's fome for thee : 
 Some wood and nails to make a ftaffe, or bill, 
 For thofe that trouble me : 
 The bloudie crofle of my deare Lord 
 Is both my phyfick and my fword. 
 
 Sion. 
 
 LORD, with what glorie waft thou ferv'd of old, 
 When Solomons temple ftood and flourifhed ! 
 Where moft things were of pureft gold ; 
 The wood was all embellifhed 
 With flowers and carvings, myfticall and rare : 
 All fhow'd the builders, crav'd the feers care. 
 
io8 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Yet all this glorie, all this pomp and {late, 
 
 Did not affect thee much, was not thy aim 
 Something there was that fow'd debate 
 Wherefore thou quitt'ft thy ancient claim : 
 
 And now thy Architecture meets with finne ; 
 
 For all thy frame and fabrick is within. 
 
 There thou art ftruggling with a peevifli heart, 
 Which fometimes croffeth thee, thou fometimes it : 
 
 The fight is hard on either part. 
 
 Great God doth fight, he doth fubmit. 
 All Solomons fea* of brafle and world of ftone 
 Is not fo deare to thee, as one good grone. 
 
 And truly brafTe and ftones are heavie things, 
 Tombes for the dead, not temples fit for thee : 
 But grones are quick, and full of wings, 
 And all their motions upward be ; 
 And ever as they mount, like larks they fing : 
 The note is fad, yet mufick for a king. 
 
 Home. 
 
 GOME, Lord, my head doth burn, my heart is fick, 
 While thou doft ever, ever ftay : 
 1 ny long deferrings wound me to the quick, 
 My fpirit gafpeth night and day. 
 
 O mew thyfelf to me, 
 Or take me up to thee ! 
 
 * And he made a molten fea, ten cubits from the one brim to 
 the other j it was round all about.'" — i Kings vii. 23. 
 
THE CHURCH. 100, 
 
 How canft thou flay, confidcring the pace 
 
 The bloud did make, which thou didft wafte ? 
 When 1 behold it trickling down thy face, 
 1 never faw thing make fuch hafte. 
 O (how thyfelf to me, 
 Or take me up to thee ! 
 
 When man was loft, thy pitie lookt about,* 
 To fee what help in th' earth or fkie : 
 
 But there was none ; at leaft no help without : 
 The help did in thy bofom lie. 
 O (how thyfelf, &c. 
 
 There lay thy fonne : and muft he leave that neft, 
 That hive of fweetnefTe, to remove 
 
 Thraldome from thofe, who would not at a feaft 
 Leave one poore apple for thy love ? 
 O ihow thyself, &c. 
 
 He did, he came : O my Redeemer, deare, 
 After all this canft thou be ftrange ? 
 
 So many yeares baptiz'd, and not appeare ; 
 As if thy love could fail or change ? 
 O mow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 Yet if thou ftayeft ftill, why muft I ftay? 
 
 My God, what is this world to me ? 
 This world of wo ? hence, all ye clouds, away, 
 Away \ I muft get up and fee. 
 
 O ihow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 * " And 1 looked, and there was none to help ; and I wondered 
 that there was none to uphold j therefore mine own arm brought 
 falvation unto me. "—Isaiah lxiii. 5. 
 
no 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 What is this weary world ; this meat and drink, 
 That chains us by the teeth fo fafl: ? 
 
 What is this woman-kinde, which I can wink 
 Into a blacknefle and diftafte ? 
 
 O fhow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 With one fmall figh thou gav'ft me th' other day 
 I blafted all the joyes about me : 
 
 And fcouling on them as they pin'd away 
 
 Now come again, faid I, and flout me. 
 O mow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 Nothing but drought and dearth, but bufh and brake, 
 Which way fo-e're I look, I fee. 
 
 Some may dream merrily, but when they wake, 
 
 They drefle themfelves, and come to thee. 
 O fhow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 We talk of harvefts \ there are no fuch things, 
 But when we leave our corn and hay: 
 There is no fruitfull yeare, but that which brings 
 The laft and lov'd, though dreadfull day. 
 O mow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 Oh loofe this frame, this knot of man untie ! 
 
 That my free foul may ufe her wing, 
 Which now is pinion'd with mortalitie, 
 
 As an intangled, hamper'd thing. 
 O fhow thyfelf, &c. 
 
 What have I left, that I mould ftay and grone ? 
 
 The moft of me to heav'n is fled : 
 My thoughts and joyes are all packt up and gone, 
 
 And for their old acquaintance plead. 
 O fhow thyfelf, &c. 
 
THE CHURCH. I I I 
 
 Come, deareft Lord, pafle not this holy feafon, 
 My flefh and bones and joynts do pray: 
 And ev'n my verfe, when by the ryme and reafon 
 The word is, Stay, fays ever, Come. 
 O fhow thy felf to me, 
 Or take me up to thee ! 
 
 I 
 
 The Britifh Church. 
 
 JOY, deare Mother, when I view, 
 Thy perfect lineaments, and hue 
 
 Both fweet and bright : 
 
 Beautie in thee takes up her place, 
 And dates her letters from thy face, 
 
 When fhe doth write. 
 
 A fine afpecl: in fit aray, 
 Neither too mean, nor yet too gay, 
 Shows who is beft : 
 
 Outlandifh looks may not compare; 
 For all they either painted are, 
 Or elfe undreft. 
 
 She* on the hills, which wantonly 
 Allureth all in hope to be 
 
 By her preferr'd, 
 
 Hath kifPd fo long her painted fhrines, 
 That ev'n her face by killing mines, 
 For her reward. 
 
 * The Church of Rome. 
 
*I2 Herbert's poems. 
 
 She* in the valley is fo {hie 
 Of drefling, that her hair doth lie 
 About her eares : 
 
 While fhe avoids her neighbours pride, 
 She wholly goes on th' other fide, 
 
 And nothing wears. 
 
 But, deareft Mother, (what thofe mifTe) 
 The mean thy praife and glorie is, 
 And long: mav be. 
 
 -5 ma y 
 
 BlefTed be God, whofe love it was 
 To double-moat f thee with his grace, 
 And none but thee. 
 
 The Quip. I 
 
 THE merrie world did on a day 
 With his train-bands and mates agree 
 To meet together, where I lay, 
 And all in (port to geere§ at me. 
 
 Firft, Beautie crept into a rofe ; 
 Which when I pluckt not, Sir, faid fhe, 
 Tell me, I pray, Whofe hands are thofe ? 
 But thou malt anfwer, Lord, for me. 
 
 Then Money came, and chinking ftill. 
 What tune is this, poore man ? laid he : 
 I heard in Muiick you had fkill : 
 But thou {halt anfwer, Lord, for me. 
 
 * The Puritan. 
 
 f Like a caitle with two moats, or ftreams of water round it. 
 
 j A plcaiantry. 
 
 § To icek or icarch after, and alfo to mock. 
 
THE CHURCH. 113 
 
 Then came brave Glorie puffing by 
 In filks that whittled, who but he ! 
 He fcarce allow'd me half an eie : 
 But thou fhalt anfwer, Lord, for me. 
 
 Then came quick Wit and Converfation, 
 And he would needs a comfort be, 
 And, to be fhort, make an oration. 
 But thou fhalt anfwer, Lord, for me. 
 
 Yet when the houre of thy defigne 
 To anfwer thefe fine things mall come ; 
 Speak not at large, fay, I am thine, 
 And then they have their anfwer home. 
 
 Vanitie. 
 
 POORE filly foul, whofe hope and head lies low; 
 Whofe flat delights on earth do creep and grow : 
 To whom the ftarres mine not fo faire, as eyes y 
 Nor folid work, as falfe embroyderies ; 
 Hark and beware, left what you now do meafure, 
 And write for fweet, prove a moft fowre difpleafure. 
 
 O heare betimes, left thy relenting 
 
 May come too late ! 
 To purchafe heaven for repenting 
 
 Is no hard rate. 
 If fouls be made of earthly mould, 
 
 Let them love gold ; 
 
 If born on high, 
 Let them unto their kindred flie : 
 For they can never be at reft, 
 Till they regain their ancient neft. 
 I 
 
t 14 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Then filly foul take heed ; for earthly joy 
 Is but a bubble, and makes thee a boy. 
 
 The Dawning. 
 
 AWAKE fad heart, whom forrow ever drowns : 
 Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth, 
 Unfold thy forehead gather* d into frowns ; 
 Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth : 
 Awake, awake ; 
 And with a thankfull heart his comforts take. 
 But thou doft ftill lament, and pine, and crie ; 
 And feel his death, but not his victorie. 
 
 Arife fad heart ; if thou doft not withftand, 
 
 Chrifts refurrecliion thine may be : 
 Do not by hanging down break from the hand, 
 Which as it rifeth, raifeth thee : 
 
 Arife, arife ; 
 And with his buriall-linen drie thine eyes. 
 
 Chrift left his grave-clothes, that we might, when 
 
 grief 
 Draws tears, or bloud, not want an handkerchief. 
 
 Jefu. 
 
 JESU is in my heart, his facred 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 feek : 
 
THE CHURCH. I 15 
 
 And firft I found the corner where was y 
 After, where ES, and next where U was graved. 
 When I had got thefe parcels, inftantly 
 I fat me down to fpell them, and perceived 
 That to my broken heart he was / eafe you^ 
 And to my whole is JESU. 
 
 c 
 
 Buiineffe. 
 
 ANST be idle ? canft thou play, 
 Foolifh foul who finn'd to day? 
 
 Rivers run, and fprings each one 
 Know their home, and get them gone : 
 Haft thou tears, or haft thou none ? 
 
 If, poore foul, thou haft no tears ; 
 Would thou hadft no faults or fears ! 
 Who hath thefe, thofe ill forbears. 
 
 Windes ftill work : it is their plot, 
 
 Be the feason cold, or hot : 
 
 Haft thou fighs, or haft thou not ? 
 
 If thou haft no fighs or grones, 
 Would thou hadft no flefh and bones ! 
 LefTer pains fcape greater ones. 
 
 But if yet thou idle be, 
 
 Foolifh foul, Who di'd for thee ? 
 
 Who did leave his Fathers throne, 
 To affume thy flefh and bone ? 
 Had he life, or had he none ? 
 
 I 2 
 
n6 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 If he had not liv'd for thee, 
 Thou hadft di'd moft wretchedly \ 
 And two deaths had been thy fee. 
 
 He fo farre thy good did plot, 
 That his own felf he forgot. 
 Did he die, or did he not ? 
 
 If he had not di'd for thee, 
 Thou hadft liv'd in miferie. 
 Two lives worfe than ten deaths be. 
 
 And hath any fpace of breath 
 'Twixt his finnes and Saviours death ? 
 
 He that lofeth gold, though droffe, 
 Tells to all he meets, his crofTe : 
 He that finnes, hath he no lofle ? 
 
 He that findes a filver vein. 
 Thinks on it, and thinks again : 
 Brings thy Saviours death no gain ? 
 
 Who in heart not ever kneels, 
 Neither finne nor Saviour feels. 
 
 Dialogue. 
 
 SWEETEST Saviour, if my foul 
 Were but worth the having, 
 Quickly mould I then controll 
 Any thought of waving.* 
 
 * Wavering. 
 
THE CHURCH. II7 
 
 But when all my care and pains 
 Cannot give the name of gains 
 To thy wretch fo full of ftains; 
 What delight or hope remains ? 
 
 What (childe), is the ballance thine, 
 
 Thine the poife and meafure ? 
 If I fay, Thou malt be mine, 
 
 Finger not my treafure. 
 What the gains in having thee 
 Do amount to, onely he, 
 Who for man was fold, can fee, 
 That tranfferr'd th' accounts to me. 
 
 But as I can fee no merit, 
 
 Leading to this favour : 
 So the way to fit me for it, 
 Is beyond my favour. 
 As the reafon then is thine ; 
 So the way is none of mine : 
 I difclaim the whole defigne : 
 Sinne difclaims and I refigne 
 
 That is all, if that I could 
 
 Get without repining ; 
 And my clay, my creature, would 
 
 Follow my refigning : 
 That as I did freely part 
 With my glorie and defert, 
 Left all joyes to feel all fmart- 
 
 Ah ! no more : thou break' ft my heart* 
 
n8 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Dulneffe. 
 
 WHY do I languifh thus, drooping and dii 
 As if I were all earth ? 
 O give me quickneffe, that I may with mirth 
 Praife thee brim-full ! 
 
 The wanton lover in a curious ftrain 
 
 Can praife his faireft fair ; 
 And with quaint metaphors her curled hair 
 Curl o'er again : 
 
 Thou art my lovelineffe, my life, my light, 
 
 Beautie alone to me : 
 Thy bloudy death, and undeferv'd, makes thee 
 Pure red and white. 
 
 When all perfections as but one appeare, 
 That thofe thy form doth fhew, 
 The very duft, where thou doft tread and go 
 Makes beauties here -> 
 
 Where are my lines then ? my approaches ? views ? 
 
 Where are my window fongs r 
 Lovers are ftill pretending, and ev'n wrongs 
 Sharpen their Mufe. 
 
 But I am loft in flefh, whofe fugred lyes 
 Still mock me, and grow bold : 
 Sure thou didft put a minde there, if I could 
 Finde where it lies. 
 

 THE CHURCH. IIQ 
 
 Lord, clcare thy gift, that with a conftant 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 caft mine eye, 
 I faw a vine drop grapes with J and C 
 Anneal'd* on every bunch. One ftanding by 
 Afk'd what it meant. I (who am never loth 
 To fpend my judgment) {aid, It feem'd to me 
 To be the body and the letters both 
 Of Joy and Charitie ; Sir, you have not miff'd, 
 The man reply 'd ; it figures JESUS CHRIST. 
 
 Providence. 
 
 O SACRED Providence, who from end to end 
 Strongly and fweetly moveft ! mall I write, 
 And not of thee, through whom my fingers bend 
 To hold my quill ; fhall they not do thee right ? 
 
 Of all the creatures both in fea and land, 
 Onely to man thou haft made known thy wayes, 
 And put the penne alone into his hand, 
 And made him Secretarie of thy praife. 
 
 * Burnt in. 
 
120 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Beafts fain would fing ; .birds ditty to their notes ; 
 Trees would be tuning on their native lute 
 To thy renown : but all their hands and throats 
 Are brought to Man, while they are lame and mute. 
 
 
 Man is the worlds high Prieft : he doth prefent 
 
 The facrifiee for all \ while they below 
 
 Unto the fervice mutter an afient, 
 
 Such as fprings ufe that fall, and windes that blow. 
 
 He that to praife and laud thee doth refrain, 
 Doth not refrain unto himfelf alone, 
 But robs a thoufand who would praife thee fain ; 
 And doth commit a world of finne in one. 
 
 The beafts fay, Eat me, but, if beafts muft teach, 
 The tongue is yours to eat, but mine to praife. 
 The trees fay, Pull me : but the hand you ftretch 
 Is mine to write, as it is ^ours to raife. 
 
 Wherefore, moft facred Spirit, I here prefent 
 For me and all my fellows praife to thee ; 
 And juft it is that I fhould pay the rent, 
 Becaufe the benefit accrues to me. 
 
 We all acknowledge both thy power and love 
 To be exafl:, tranfcendent, and divine ; 
 Who doft fo ftrongly and fo fweetly move, 
 While all things have their will, yet none but thine, 
 
 For either thy command, or thy permiflion 
 Lay hands on all : they are thy right and left : 
 The firft puts on with fpeed and expedition ; 
 The other curbs finnes ftealing pace and theft ; 
 
 
THE CHURCH. 121 
 
 Nothing efcapes them both : all muft appeare, 
 And be difpoPd, and drefT'd, and tun'd by thee, 
 Who fweetly temper'ft all. If we could heare 
 Thy fkill and art, what mufick would it be ! 
 
 Thou art in fmall things great, not fmall in any : 
 Thy even praife can neither rife, nor fall. 
 Thou art in all things one, in each thing many : 
 For thou art infinite in one and all. 
 
 Tempefts are calm to thee, they know thy hand, 
 And hold it faft, as children do their fathers, 
 Which crie and follow. Thou haft made poore fand 
 Check the proud fea, e'vn when it fwells and gathers. 
 
 Thy cupboard ferves the world : the meat is fet,* 
 Where all may reach : no beaft but knows his feed. 
 Birds teach us hawking : fifties have their net : 
 The great prey on the lefTe, they on fome weed. 
 
 Nothing ingendered doth prevent his meat ; 
 Flies have their table fpread, ere they appeare ; 
 Some creatures have in winter what to eat ; 
 Others do fleep, and envie not their cheer. 
 
 How finely doft thou times and feafons fpin, 
 And make a twift checker'd with night and day ! 
 Which as it lengthens windes, and windes us in, 
 As bowls go on, but turning all the way. 
 
 Each creature hath a wifdome for his good. 
 The pigeons feed their tender off-fpring, crying, 
 When they are callow ; but withdraw their food, 
 vVhen they are fledged, that needmay teach them flying. 
 
 * " Thefe wait all upon thee, that thou mayeft give them meat 
 in due feafon." — Psa. civ. 27. 
 
122 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Bees work for man ; and yet they never bruife 
 Their matters flower, but leave it, having done, 
 As fair as ever, and as fit to ufe : 
 So both the flower doth flay, and hony run. 
 
 Sheep eat the grafTe, and dung the ground for more : 
 Trees after bearing drop their leaves for foil : 
 Springs vent their ftreams, and by expenfe get ftore 
 Clouds cool by heat, and baths by cooling boil. 
 
 Who hath the vertue to exprefTe the rare 
 And curious vertues both of herbs and ftones ? 
 Is there an herb for that ? O that thy care 
 Would mow a root, that gives expreflions ! 
 
 And if an herb hath power, what hath the ftarres ? 
 A rofe, befides his beautie, is a cure. 
 DoubtlefTe our plagues and plentie, peace and warres, 
 Are there much furer than our art is fure. 
 
 Thou haft hid metals : man may take them thence ; 
 But at his perill : when he digs the place, 
 He makes a grave ; as if the thing had fenfe, 
 And threatened man, that he mould fill the ipace. 
 
 Ev'n poyfons praife thee. Should a thing be loft ? 
 Should creatures want, for want of heed their due ? 
 Since where are poyfons, antidotes are moft ; 
 The help ftands clofe, and keeps the fear in view. 
 
 The fea, which feems to ftop the traveller, 
 Is by a fhip the fpeedier paflage made. 
 The windes, who think they rule the mariner, 
 Are ruPd by him, and taught to ferve his trade. 
 
THE CHURCH. I 23 
 
 And as thy houfe is full, fo I adore 
 
 Thy curious art in marfhalling thy goods. 
 
 The hills with health abound, the vales with (tore ; 
 
 The South with marble ; North with furres and woods. 
 
 Hard things are glorious ; eafie things good cheap ; 
 The common all men have ; that which is rare, 
 Men therefore feek to have, and care to keep. 
 The healthy frofts with fummer-fruits compare. 
 
 Light without winde is glaffe : warm without weight 
 Is wooll and furres : cool without clofeneffe, made : 
 Speed without pains, a horfe : tall without height, 
 A fervile hawk : low without loffe, a fpade. 
 
 All countries have enough to ferve their need : 
 If they feek fine things, thou doft make them run 
 For their offence ; and then doft turn their fpeed 
 To be commerce and trade from funne to funne. 
 
 Nothing wears clothes, but man ; nothing doth need 
 But he to wear them. Nothing ufeth fire, 
 But Man alone, to mow his heav'nly breed : 
 And onely he hath fuell in defire. 
 
 When th' earth was dry, thou mad'ft a fea of wet : 
 When that lay gather'd, thou didft broach* the moun- 
 tains : 
 When yet fome places could no moifture get, 
 The windes grew gard'ners, and the clouds good foun- 
 tains. 
 
 * To pierce a veffel in order to draw out the liquor. Bifhop 
 Pearfon employs the word in the fame fenfe as Herbert : " When 
 his rod had cealed to • broach 1 the rocks." — On the Creed, 
 Art. 1. 
 
124 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Rain, do not hurt my flowers ; but gently fpend 
 Your hony drops : prelTe not to fmell them here ; 
 When they are ripe their odour will afcend, 
 And at your lodging with their thanks appeare. 
 
 How harm are thorns to pears ! and yet they make 
 A better hedge, and need lelTe reparation. 
 How fmooth are filks compared with a ftake, 
 Or with a ftone ! yet make no good foundation. 
 
 Sometimes thou doll: divide thy gifts to man, 
 Sometimes unite. The Indian nut alone 
 Is clothing, meat and trencher, drink and can, 
 Boat, cable, fail and needle, all in one. 
 
 Moft herbs that grow in brooks, are hot and dry, 
 Cold fruits warm kernells help againft the winde. 
 The lemmons juice and rinde cure mutually. 
 The whey of milk doth loofe, the milk doth binde. 
 
 Thy creatures leap not, but exprelTe a feaft, 
 Where all the guefts fit clofe, and nothing wants. 
 Frogs marry filh and flefli ; bats, bird and beaft : 
 Sponges, nonfenfe and fenfe; mines, th' earth and 
 plants. 
 
 To mow thou art not bound, as if thy lot 
 Were worfe than ours, fometimes thou fhifteft hands. 
 Moft things move th' under-jaw ; the Crocodile not. 
 Moft things fleep lying, th' Elephant leans or ftands. 
 
 But who hath praife enough ? nay, who hath any ? 
 None can exprefTe thy works, but he that knows them ; 
 And none can know thy works, which are fo many, 
 And fo complete, but onely he that owes them. 
 
THE CHURCH. I 25 
 
 All things that are, though they have fev'rall waves, 
 Yet in their being joyn with one advice 
 To honour thee : and fo I give thee praife 
 In all my other hymnes, but in this twice. 
 
 Each thing that is, although in ufe and name 
 It go for one, hath many wayes in frore 
 To honour thee ; and fo each hymne thy fame 
 Extolleth many wayes, yet this one more. 
 
 Hope. 
 
 I GAVE to Hope a watch of mine : but he 
 An anchor gave to me. 
 Then an old Prayer-book I did prefent : 
 
 And he an optick* fent. 
 With that I gave a viall full of tears : 
 But he a few green eares. 
 Ah Loyterer ! Pie no more, no more Tie bring : 
 I did expecT: a ring. 
 
 Sinnes round. 
 
 SORRIE I am, my God, forrie I am, 
 That my offences courfe it in a ring. 
 My thoughts are working liice a bufie flame, 
 Untill their cockatrice they hatch and bring : 
 And when they once have perfected their draughts, 
 My words take fire from my inflamed thoughts. 
 
 * An inftrumenc of figm 
 
126 Herbert's poems. 
 
 My words take fire from my inflamed thoughts, 
 
 Which fpit it forth like the Sicilian* hill. 
 
 They vent the wares, and pafTe them with their faults, 
 
 And by their breathing ventilate the ill. 
 
 But words fuffice not, where are lewd intentions : 
 
 My hands do joyn to finifh the inventions : 
 
 My hands do joyn to finifh the inventions : 
 
 And fo my finnes afcend three ftories high, 
 
 As Babel grew, before there were difTentions. 
 
 Yet ill deeds loyter not : for they fupplie 
 
 New thoughts of finning ; wherefore, to my fir .me 
 
 Sorrie I am, my God, forrie I am. 
 
 Time. 
 
 MEETING with Time, flack thing, faid I, 
 Thy fithe is dull ; whet it for fhame. 
 No marvell Sir, he did replie, 
 If it at length deferve fome blame : 
 
 But where one man would have me grinde it, 
 Twentie for one too fharp do finde it. 
 
 Perhaps fome fuch of old did pafTe, 
 
 Who above all things lov'd this life ; 
 
 To whom thy fithe a hatchet was, 
 
 Which now is but a pruning-knife. 
 
 Chrifts coming hath made man thy debter. 
 Since by thy cutting he grows better. 
 
 And in his blefling thou art bleft : 
 For where thou onely wert before 
 An excutioner at befr, 
 Thou art a gard'ner now, and more. 
 
 * Mount ^tna. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 An ufher to convey our fouls 
 Beyond the utmoft ftarres and poles. 
 
 And this is that makes life fo long, 
 While it detains us from our God. 
 Ev'n pleafures here increafe the wrong : 
 And length of dayes lengthens the rod. 
 
 Who wants the place, where God doth dwell, 
 
 Partakes already half of hell. 
 
 Of what ftrange length muft that needs be, 
 Which ev'n eternitie excludes ! 
 Thus farre Time heard me patiently : 
 Then chafing faid, This man deludes : 
 
 What do I here before his doore ? 
 
 He doth not crave lefle time, but more. 
 
 127 
 
 
 Gratefulneffe. 
 
 OTHOU that haft giv'n fo much to me, 
 Give one thing more, a gratefull heart. 
 See how thy beggar works on thee 
 By art. 
 
 He makes thy gifts occafion more, 
 And fayes, If he in this be croft, 
 All thou haft giv'n him heretofore 
 Is loft. 
 
 But thou didft reckon, when at firft 
 Thy word our hearts and hands did crave, 
 What it would come to at the worft 
 To fave. 
 
128 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Perpetuall knockings at thy doore, 
 Tears fullying thy tranfparent rooms 
 Gift upon gift: ; much would have more, 
 And comes. 
 
 This not withftanding, thou wentft on 
 And did ft allow us all our noife : 
 Nay thou haft made a figh and grone 
 Thy joyes. 
 
 Not that thou haft not ftill above 
 Much better tunes, then grones can make ; 
 But that thefe countrey-aires thy love 
 Did take. 
 
 Wherefore I crie, and crie again ; 
 And in no quiet canft thou be, 
 Till I a thankfull heart obtain 
 
 Of thee: 
 
 Not thankfull, when it pleafeth me ; 
 As if thy bleflings had fpare dayes : 
 But fuch a heart, whofe pulfe may be 
 Thy praife. 
 
 Peace. 
 
 SWEET Peace, where doft thou dwell ? 
 Let me once know. 
 I fought thee in a fecret cave, 
 
 And afk'd, if Peace were there. 
 A hollow winde did feem to anfwer, No ; 
 Go feek elfewhere. 
 
 I humbly 
 [crave. 
 
THE CHURCH. 120, 
 
 I did ; and going did a rainbow note : 
 Surely, thought I, 
 This is the lace of Peace's coat : 
 I will fearch out the matter. 
 But while I lookt, the clouds immediately 
 Did break and fcatter. 
 
 Then went I to a garden, and did fpy 
 A gallant flower, 
 The crown Imperiall :* Sure, faid I, 
 Peace at the root muft dwell. 
 But when I digg'd, I faw a worme devoure 
 What fhow'd fo well. 
 
 At length I met a rev'rend good old man : 
 Whom when for Peace 
 I did demand, he thus began ; 
 There was a Prince of old 
 At Salem dwelt, who liv'd with good increafe 
 Of flock and fold. 
 
 He fweetly liv'd ; yet fweetnefTe did not fave 
 His life from foes. 
 But after death out of his grave 
 
 There fprang twelve ftalks of wheat : 
 Which many wondring at, got fome of thofe 
 To plant and fet. 
 
 * The flower with that name. Cowley, in his hymn to light, 
 has a beautiful allufion to it : — 
 
 " A crimfon garment in the rofe thou wear'ft j 
 A crown of ftudded gold thou beafft j 
 The virgin lilies in their white, 
 Are clad but with the lawn of almoft naked light.** 
 K 
 
130 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 It profper'd ftrangely, and did foon difperfe 
 Through all the earth : 
 For they that tafte it do rehearfe, 
 That vertue lies therein ; 
 A fecret vertue, bringing peace and mirth 
 By flight of finne. 
 
 Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, 
 And grows for you; 
 Make bread of it : and that repofe, 
 And peace which ev'ry where 
 With fo much earneftneffe you do purfue, 
 Is onely there. 
 
 o 
 
 Confeflion. 
 
 WHAT a cunning gueft 
 Is this fame grief ! within my heart I made 
 Clofets ; and in them many a cheft ; 
 And like a mailer in my trade, 
 In thofe chefts, boxes ; in each box, a till : 
 Yet grief knows all, and enters when he will. 
 
 No fcrue, no piercer can 
 Into a piece of timber worke and winde, 
 
 As God's afflictions into man, 
 
 When he a torture hath defigned. 
 They are too fubtill for the fubt'lleft hearts ; 
 And fall, like rheumes, upon the tendreft parts. 
 
 We are the earth ; and they, 
 Like moles within us, heave, and caft about : 
 And till they foot and clutch their prey, 
 
THE CHURCH. I 3 I 
 
 They never cool, much leflc give out. 
 No fmith can make fuch locks, but they have keyes ; 
 Clofets are halls to them ; and hearts, high-wayes. 
 
 Onely an open breaft 
 Doth fhut them out, fo that they cannot enter ; 
 Or, if they enter, cannot reft, 
 But quickly feek fome new adventure. 
 Smooth open hearts no faftning have ; but fiction 
 Doth give a hold and handle to affliction. 
 
 Wherefore my faults and finnes, 
 Lord, I acknowledge ; take thy plagues away: 
 
 For fince confeffion pardon winnes, 
 
 I challenge here the brighten 1 day, 
 The cleareft diamond : let them do their beft, 
 They fhall be thick and cloudie to my breaft. 
 
 GiddinefTe. 
 
 OH, what a thing is man ! how farre frojri power, 
 From fettled peace and reft ! 
 He is fome twentie fev'rall men at leaft 
 Each fev'rall houre. 
 
 One while he counts of heav'n, as of his treafure * 
 But then a thought creeps in, 
 
 And calls him coward, who for fear of finne 
 Will lofe a pleafure. 
 
 Now he will fight it out, and to the warres ; 
 
 Now eat his bread in peace, 
 And fnudge * in quiet : now he fcorns increafe ; 
 
 Now all day fpares. 
 
 * Lie fnug 
 K 2 
 
I32 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 He builds a houfe, which quickly down muft go, 
 
 As if a whirlwinde blew 
 And crufht the building : and it's partly true, 
 
 His minde is fo. 
 
 O what a fight were Man, if his attires 
 
 Did alter with his minde ; 
 And, like a Dolphins ikinne, his clothes combin'd 
 
 With his defires !* 
 
 Surely if each one faw anothers heart, 
 
 There would be no commerce, 
 
 No fale or bargain paffe : all would difperfe, 
 And live apart. 
 
 Lord, mend or rather make us : one creation 
 
 Will not fuffice our turn : 
 Except thou make us dayly, we mail fpurn 
 
 Our own falvation. 
 
 The Bunch of Grape s. 
 
 JOY, I did lock thee up : but fome bad man 
 Hath let thee out again : 
 And, now, methinks, I am where I began 
 
 Sev'n years ago : one vogue and vein,f 
 One aire of thoughts ufurps my brain, 
 I did toward Canaan draw; but now I am 
 Brought back to the Red fea, the fea of fhame. 
 
 * If his outward appearance changed like his mind and a? 
 often. 
 
 f Fafhion. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 '33 
 
 
 For as the Jews of old by God's command 
 
 Travell'd, and faw no town ; 
 So now each Chriftian hath his journeys fpann'd : 
 
 Their ftorie pennes and fets us down. 
 
 A fingle deed is fmall renown. 
 Gods works are wide, and let in future times; 
 His ancient juftice overflows our crimes. 
 
 Then have we too our guardian fires and clouds ; 
 
 Our Scripture-dew drops fa ft : 
 We have our fands and ferpents, tents and fhrowds 
 Alas ! our murmurino-s come not laft. 
 
 o 
 
 But where's the clufter ?* where's the tafte 
 Of mine inheritance ? Lord, if I muft borrow, 
 Let me as well take up their joy, as forrow. 
 
 But can he want the grape, who hath the wine ? 
 
 I have their fruit and more. 
 Bleffed be God ? who profper'd Noahs vine, 
 
 And made it bring forth grapes good ftore. 
 
 But much more him I muft adore, 
 Who of the laws fowre juice fweet wine did make, 
 Ev'n God himfelf being preffed for my fake. 
 
 Love-unknown. + 
 
 DEARE friend, fit down, the tale is long and fad : 
 And in my faintings I prefume your love 
 Vv ill more complie, than help. A Lord I had, 
 And have, of whom fome grounds, which may improve, 
 
 * Numbers xiii. 23. 
 
 f Mr. Coleridge mentions this poem " as a finking example and 
 illuitration that the chara&eriftic fault of our elder poets is the 
 reverie of that which diftinguifhes too many of our recent veri- 
 fiers 5 the one conveying the mod fantaftic thoughts in the molt 
 
134 Herbert's poems. 
 
 I hold for two lives, and both lives in me. 
 To him I brought a dim of fruit one dav, 
 And in the middle plac'd my heart. But he 
 
 (I figh to fay) 
 Lookt on a fervant, who did know his eye 
 Better than you know me, or (which is one) 
 Then I myfelf. The fervant inftantly 
 Quitting the fruit, feiz'd on my heart alone, 
 And threw it in a font, wherein did fall 
 A ftream of bloud, which iffu'd from the fide 
 Of a great rock : I well remember all, 
 And have good caufe : there it was dipt and dy'd, 
 And wafht, and wrung : the very wringing yet 
 Enforceth tears. Your heart was foul, I fear. 
 Indeed 'tis true. I did and do commit 
 Many a fault more than my leafe will bear ; 
 Yet ftill afkt pardon, and was not deni'd. 
 But you fhall heare. After my heart was well, 
 And clean and fair, as I one even-tide 
 
 (I figh to tell) 
 Walkt by myfelf abroad, I faw a large 
 And fpacious fornace flaming, and thereon 
 A boyling caldron, round about whofe verge 
 Was in great letters fet Affliction. 
 The greatnefle fhew'd the owner. So I went 
 To fetch a facrifice out of my fold, 
 Thinking with that, which I did thus prefent, 
 To warm his love, which I did fear grew cold. 
 But as my heart did tender it, the man 
 Who was to take it from me, flipt his hand, 
 And threw my heart into the fcalding pan ; 
 My heart, that brought it (do you underftand ?) 
 The offerers heart. Your heart was hard, I fear. 
 
 correct and natural language ; the other, in the moft fantaftic lan- 
 guage, conveying the moft trivial thoughts. The latter is a riddle 
 of words, the former an enigma of thoughts." — Biog. Lit. ii. 98. 
 
THE CHURCH. 1 35 
 
 Indeed 'tis true. I found a callous matter 
 
 Began to fpread and to expatiate there : 
 
 But with a richer drug, then fcalding water, 
 
 I bath'd it often, ev'n with holy bloud, 
 
 Which at a board, while many drank bare wine, 
 
 A friend did ileal into my cup for good, 
 
 Ev'n taken inwardly, and moft divine 
 
 To fupple hardnefles. But at the length 
 
 Out of the caldron getting, foon I fled 
 
 Unto my houfe, where to repair the ftrength 
 
 Which 1 had loft, I hafted to my bed : 
 
 But when I thought to fleep out all thefe faults, 
 
 (I figh to fpeak) 
 I found that fome had ftufPd the bed with thoughts, 
 I would fay- thorns. Deare, could my heart not break, 
 When with my pleafures ev'n my reft was gone ? 
 Full well I underftood, who had been there : 
 For I had giv'n the key to none, but one : 
 It muft be he. Your heart was dull, I fear. 
 Indeed a flack and fleepie ftate of minde 
 Did oft poffefie me, fo that when I pray'd, 
 Though my lips went, my heart did ftay behinde. 
 But all my fcores were by another paid, 
 Who took the debt upon him. Truly, Friend, 
 For ought I heare, your Mafter fhows to you 
 More favour then you wot of. Mark the end. 
 The Font did onely, what was old, renew : 
 The Caldron fuppled, what was grown too hard : 
 The Thorns did quicken, what was grown too dull : 
 All did but ftrive to mend, what you had marr'd. 
 Wherefore be cheer'd, and praife him to the full 
 Each day, each houre, each moment of the week, 
 Who fain would have you be, new, tender, quick 
 
136 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Man's Medley. 
 
 HEARK, how the birds do fing, 
 And woods do ring. 
 A creatures have their joy, and man hath his. 
 Yet if we rightly meafure, 
 
 Mans joy and pleafure 
 Rather hereafter, then in prefent, is. 
 
 To this life things of (enk ' 
 
 Make their pretence : 
 In th' other Angels have a right by birth : 
 Man ties them both alone, 
 
 And makes them one, 
 With th' one hand touching heav'n, with th' other earth. 
 
 In foul he mounts and flies, 
 In flefh he dies. 
 He wears a ftuffe whofe thread is courfe and round, 
 But trimm'd with curious lace, 
 And mould take place 
 After the trimming, not the ftufFe and ground. 
 
 Not, that he may not here 
 
 Tafte of the cheer : 
 But as birds drink, and ftraight lift up their head i 
 So muft he fip and think 
 Of better drink 
 He may attain to, after he is dead. 
 
 But as his joyes are double, 
 So is his trouble. 
 He hath two winters, other things but one : 
 Both frofts and thoughts do nip : 
 And bite his lip ; 
 And he of all things fears two deaths alone. 
 
THE CHURCH. I37 
 
 Yet ev'n the greateft griefs 
 May be reliefs, 
 Could he but take them right, and in their wayes. 
 Happie is he, whofe heart 
 
 Hath found the art 
 To turn his double pains to double praife. 
 
 
 The Storm. 
 
 IF as che windes and waters here below 
 Do flie and flow, 
 My fighs and tears as bufy were above ; 
 
 Sure they would move 
 And much affect thee, as tempeftuous times 
 Amaze poore mortals, and object* their crimes. 
 
 Starres have their ftorms, ev'n in a high degree, 
 
 As well as we. 
 A tnrobbing confeience fpurred by remorfe 
 
 Hath a ftrange force : 
 It quits the earth, and mounting more and more, 
 Dares to aflault thee, and befiege thy doore. 
 
 There it ftands knocking, to thy muficks wrong, 
 And drowns the fong. 
 
 Glorie and honour are fet by till it 
 An anfwer get. 
 
 Poets have wrong' d poore ftorms : fuch dayes arc beft ; 
 
 They purge the aire without, within the breaft. 
 
 Throw forward, ib as to confront them. 
 
138 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Paradife. 
 
 I 
 
 BLESSE thee, Lord, becaufe I grow 
 Among thy trees, which in a row 
 To thee both fruit and order ow. 
 
 What open force, or hidden charm 
 Can blaft my fruit, or bring me harm, 
 While the inclofure is thine arm ? 
 
 Inclofe me ftill for fear I start. 
 Be to me rather fharp and tart, 
 Than let me want thy hand and art. 
 
 When thou doft greater judgements spare. 
 And with thy knife but prune and pare, 
 Ev'n fruitful trees more fruitfull are, 
 
 Such fharpnes fliows the fweeteft frend, 
 Such cuttings rather heal th-an rend. 
 And fuch beginnings touch their end. 
 
 The Method. 
 
 ^OORE heart, lament. 
 For fince thy God refufeth ftill, 
 There is ibme rub, fome difcontent, 
 Which cools his will. 
 
 p( 
 
 Thy Father could 
 Quickly effect, what thou doft move ; 
 For he is Power : and fure he would ; 
 
 For he is Love. 
 
THE CHURCH. I ^ 
 
 Go fcarch this thing, 
 Tumble thy breaft, and turn thy book : 
 If thou hadft loft a glove or ring, 
 
 Wouldft thou not look ? 
 
 What do I fee 
 Written above there ? Yefterday 
 I did behave me careleflly, 
 
 When I did pray. 
 
 And fhould Gods eare 
 To fuch indifferents chained be, 
 Who do not their own motions heare ? 
 
 Is God leffe free ? 
 
 But ftay ! what's there ? 
 Late when I would have fomething done, 
 I had a motion to forbear, 
 
 Yet I went on. 
 
 And fhould Gods eare, 
 Which needs not man, be ty'd to thofe 
 Who heare not him, but quickly heare 
 
 His utter foes ? 
 
 Then once more pray: 
 Down with thy knees, up with thy voice: 
 Seek pardon firft, and God will fay, 
 
 Glad heart rejoyce. 
 
 Divinitie. 
 
 AS men, for fear the ftarres fhould deep and nod, 
 And trip at night, have fpheres fuppli'd ; 
 t\s if a flarre were duller than a clod, 
 
 Which knows his way without a guide : 
 
140 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Juft fo the other heav'n they alfo ferve, 
 
 Divinities tranfcendent fkie : 
 Which with the edge of wit they cut and carve. 
 
 Reafon triumphs, and faith lies by. 
 
 Could not that wifdome, which firft broacht the wine, 
 Have thicken'd it with definitions ? 
 
 And jagg'd his feamleffe coat, had that been fine, 
 With curious queftions and divifions ? 
 
 But all the doctrine, which he taught and gave, 
 
 Was cleare as heav'n, from whence it came. 
 
 At leaft thofe beams of truth, which onely fave, 
 SurpafTe in brightneffe any flame. 
 
 Love God, and Love your neighbour. Watch and pray, 
 
 Do as you would be done unto. 
 O dark inftr udtions, ev'n dark as day! 
 
 Who can thefe Gordian knots undo ? 
 
 But he doth bid us take his bloud for wine. 
 
 Bid what he pleafe ; yet I am fure, 
 To take and tafte what he doth there defigne, 
 
 Is all that faves, and not obfcure. 
 
 Then burn thy Epicycles, foolifh man ; 
 
 Break all thy fpheres, and fave thy head; 
 Faith needs no ftaffe of flefh, but ftoutly can 
 
 To heav'n alone both go, and leade. 
 
Hi 
 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 Ephef. iv. 30. 
 
 "grieve not the holy spirit," etc. 
 
 AND art thou grieved, fweet and facred Dove, 
 When I am fowre, 
 And croffe thy love ? 
 Grieved for me ? the God of ftrength and power 
 Griev'd for a worm, which when I tread, 
 I pafle away and leave it dead ? 
 
 Then weep, mine eyes, the God of love doth grieve ; 
 Weep foolifh heart, 
 And weeping live ; 
 For death is drie as duft. Yet if ye part, 
 End as the night, whofe fable hue 
 Your finnes exprefle -> melt intc dew. 
 
 When fawcie mirth fhall knock or call at doore. 
 Cry out, Get hence, 
 Or cry no more. 
 Almightie God doth grieve, he puts on fenfe : 
 I finne not to my grief alone, 
 But to my Gods too > he doth grone. 
 
 O take thy lute, and tune it to a ftrain, 
 Which may with thee 
 All day complain. 
 There can no difcord but in ceafing be. 
 Marbles can weep ; and furely firings 
 More bowels have, than fuch hard things. 
 
I42 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Lord, I adjudge myfelf to tears and grief. 
 Ev'n endleffe tears 
 Without relief. 
 If a clearc fpring for me no time forbears, 
 But runnes, although I be not drie ; 
 I am no Cryftall, what mall I ? 
 
 Yet if I wail not ftill, fince ftill to wail 
 Nature denies ; 
 And flefli would fail, 
 If my deferts were mailers of mine eyes : 
 
 Lord, pardon, for thy fonne makes good 
 My want of tears with ftore of bloud. 
 
 The Familie. 
 
 WHAT doth this noife of thoughts within my heart, 
 As if they had a part ? 
 What do thefe loud complaints and pulling fears, 
 As if there were no rule or eares ? 
 
 But, Lord, the houfe and familie are thine, 
 Though fome of them repine. 
 Turn out thefe wranglers, which defile thy feat : 
 For where thou dwelleft all is neat. 
 
 Firft Peace and Silence all difputes controll, 
 
 Then Order plaies* the foul ; 
 And giving all things their fet forms and houres, 
 
 Makes of wilde woods fweet walks and bowres 
 
 * Plays upon it like a mufical inftrument, and brings it into 
 tiine. 
 
THE CHURCH. I43 
 
 Humble Obedience nearc the doore doth ftand, 
 
 Expecting a command : 
 Then whom in waiting nothing feems more flow, 
 Nothing more quick when me doth go. 
 
 Joys oft are there, and griefs as oft as joyes ; 
 
 But griefs without a noife : 
 Yet fpeak they louder, then diftemper'd fears : 
 What is fo fhrill* as filent tears ? 
 
 This is thy houfe, with thefe it doth abound : 
 
 And where thefe are not found 
 Perhaps thou com' ft fometimes, and for a day ; 
 But not to make a conftant ftay. 
 
 The Size. 
 
 CONTENT thee, greedie heart. 
 Modeft and moderate joyes to thofe, that have 
 Title to more hereafter when they part, 
 Are pafling brave. 
 Let th' upper fprings into the low 
 Defcend and fall, and thou doft flow. 
 
 
 * Clear fpeaking, without harfhnefs : fo we read of the waking 
 of Adam from deep : — 
 
 " Which the only found 
 Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan, 
 Lightly diiperfed, and the mrill matin fong 
 Of birds on every bough." 
 
 Paradise Lost, v. e>. 
 
144 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 
 What though fome have a fraught * 
 Of cloves and nutmegs, and in cinamon fail ? 
 If thou haft wherewithal! to fpice a draught. 
 When griefs prevail, 
 And for the future time art heir 
 To th' Ifle of fpices, Is't not fair? 
 
 To be in both worlds full 
 Is more than God was, who was hungrie here. 
 Wouldft thou his laws of fafting difanull ? 
 Ena£t good cheer ? 
 Lay out thy joy, yet hope to fave it ? 
 Wouldft thou both eat thy cake, and have it ? 
 
 Great joyes are all at once : 
 But little do referve themfelves for more : 
 Thofe have their hopes ; thefe what they have renounce, 
 And live on fcore ; 
 Thofe are at home ; thefe journey ftill, 
 And meet the reft on Sions hill. 
 
 Thy Saviour fentenc'd joy, 
 
 And in the flefh condemn'd it as unfit, 
 
 At leaft in lump : for fuch doth oft deftroy; 
 
 Whereas a bit 
 
 Doth tice us on to hopes of more, 
 
 And for the prefent health reftore. 
 
 A Chriftians ftate and cafe 
 Is not a corpulent, but a thinne and fpare, 
 Yet active ftrength : whofe long and bonie face 
 Content and care 
 Do feem to equally divide, 
 Like a pretender, not a bride. 
 
 * Freight. 
 
THE CHURCH. 1^5 
 
 Wherefore fit down, good heart j 
 Grafp not at much, for fear thou lofeft all. 
 If comforts fell according to defert, 
 
 They would great frofts and fnows deftroy : 
 For we fhould count, Since the laft joy. 
 
 Then clofe again the feam, 
 Which thou haft open'd; do not fpread thy robe 
 In hope of great things. Call to minde thy dream, 
 An earthly globe, 
 On whofe meridian was engraven, 
 Thefe feas are tears, and Heav'n the haven. 
 
 Artillerie. 
 
 AS I one ev'ning fat before my cell, 
 Me thought a ftarre didfhoot into my lap. 
 I roie, and fhook my clothes, as knowing well, 
 That from fmall fires comes oft no fmall mifhap 
 When fuddenly I heard one fay, 
 Do as thou ufeft, difobey, 
 Expell good motions from thy breaft, 
 Which have the face of fire, but end in reft. 
 
 I, who had heard of mufick in the fpheres, 
 But not of fpeech in ftarres, began to mufe : 
 But turning to my God, whose minifters 
 The ftarres and all things are ; If I refufe 
 Dread Lord, faid I, fo oft my good; 
 Then I refufe not ev'n with bloud 
 To wafh away my ftubborn thought : 
 For I will do, or fuffer what I ought. 
 
 L 
 
146 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But I have alfo ftarres and {hooters too, 
 Born where thy fervants both artilleries ufe. 
 My tears and prayers night and day do woo, 
 And work up to thee ; yet thou dolt refufe. 
 Not but I am (I muft fay ftill) 
 Much more oblig'd to do thy will, 
 Than thou to grant mine : but becaufe 
 Thy promife now hath ev'n fet thee thy laws. 
 
 Then we are mooters both, and thou doft deigne 
 To enter combate with us, and conteft 
 With thine own clay. But I would parley* fain : 
 Shunne not my arrows, and behold my breaft. 
 
 Yet if thou fhunneft, I am thine : 
 
 I muft be fo, if I am mine. 
 
 There is no articling with thee : 
 I am but finite, yet thine infinitely. 
 
 Church-rents and fchifmes. 
 
 BRAVE rofe, (alas!) where art thou? in the chair 
 Where thou didft lately fo triumph and mine, 
 A worm doth fit, whofe many feet and hair 
 Are the more foul, the more thou wert divine. 
 This, this hath done it, this did bite the root 
 And bottome of the leaves : which when the winde 
 Did once perceive, it blew them under foot, 
 Where rude unhallow'd fteps do crufh and grinde 
 Their beauteous glories. Onely fhreds of thee, 
 And thole all bitten, in thy chair I fee. 
 
 * Confer. 
 
 
THE CHURCH. 147 
 
 Why doth my Mother blufh ? is fhe the rofe, 
 And mows it fo? Indeed Chrifts precious bloud 
 Gave you a colour once ; which when your foes 
 Thought to let out, the bleeding did you good, 
 And made you look much frefher than before. 
 But when debates and fretting jealoufies 
 Did worm and work within you more and more, 
 Your colour faded, and calamities 
 
 Turned your ruddie into pale and bleak : 
 Your health and beautie both began to break. 
 
 Then did your fev'rall parts unloofe and ftart : 
 Which when your neighbours faw, like a north-winde 
 They rufhed in, and caft them in the dirt 
 Where Pagans tread. O Mother deare and kinde, 
 Where fhall I get me eyes enough to weep, 
 As many eyes as ftarres ? fmce it is night, 
 And much of Afia and Europe faft afieep, 
 And ev'n all Africk ; would at leaft I might 
 With thefe two poore ones lick up all the dew, 
 Which falls by night, and poure it out for you ! 
 
 Juftice. 
 
 ODREADFULL juftice, what a fright and terrour 
 Waft thou of old, 
 When finne and errour 
 Did mow and fhape thy looks to me, 
 And through their glafle difcolour thee ! 
 He that did but look up, was proud and bold. 
 
 L 2 
 
148 Herbert's poems. 
 
 The difhes* of thy balance feem'd to gape, 
 Like two great pits ; 
 The beam and fcape 
 Did like fome tott'ring engine mow : 
 Thy hand above did burn and glow, 
 Daunting the fto.uteft hearts, the proudeft wits. 
 
 But now that Chrifts pure vaii preients the fight, 
 I fee no fears : 
 Thy hand is white, 
 Thy fcales like buckets, which attend 
 And interchangeably defcend, 
 Lifting to heaven from this well of tears. 
 
 For where before thou ftill didft call on me, 
 Now I ftill touch 
 And harp on thee 
 Gods promifes hath made thee mine : 
 Why mould I juftice now decline ? 
 Againft me there is none, but for me much. 
 
 The Pilgrimage. 
 
 ITRAVELL'D on, feeing the hill, where lay 
 My expectation. 
 A long it was and weary way. 
 The gloomy cave of Defperation 
 I left on th' one, and on the other fide 
 
 The rock of Pride. 
 
 The fcales which Juftice holds. 
 

 THE CHURCH. 149 
 
 And fo I came to phanfies medow ftrow'd 
 
 With many a flower : 
 Fain would I here have made abode, 
 But I was quicken'd by my houre. 
 So to cares cops* I came, and there got through 
 With much ado. 
 
 That led me to the wilde of paflion; which 
 Some call the wold ; 
 A wafted place, but fometimes rich. 
 Here I was robb'd of all my gold, 
 Save one good Angell, which a friend had ti'd 
 Clofe to my fide. 
 
 At length I got unto the gladfome hill, 
 
 Where lay my hope, 
 Where lay my heart ; and climbing ftill, 
 When I had gain'd the brow and top, 
 A lake of brackifh waters on the ground 
 Was all I found. 
 
 With that abafh'd and ftruck with many a fting 
 
 Of fwarming fears, 
 I fell, and cry'd, Alas my King ; 
 Can both the way and end be tears ? 
 Yet taking heart I rofe, and then perceiv'd 
 I was deceiv'd : 
 
 ly hill was further ; fo I flung away, 
 
 Yet heard a crie 
 Juft as I went, None goes that way 
 And lives : If that be all, faid I, 
 ifter fo foul a journey death is fair, 
 
 And but a chair. 
 
 * Copfe. 
 
ISO 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 The Holdfaft. 
 
 I THREATENED to obferve the ftria decree 
 Of my deare God with ail my power and might : 
 But I was told by one, it could not be : 
 Yet I might truft in God to be my light. 
 
 Then will I truft, faid I, in him alone. 
 
 Nay, ev'n to truft in him, was alfo his : 
 We muft confeffe, that nothing is our own. 
 
 Then I confeffe that he my fuccour is : 
 
 But to have nought is ours, not to confeffe 
 
 That we have nought. I flood amaz'd at this, 
 Much troubled, till I heard a friend expreffe, 
 
 That all things were more ours by being his. 
 What Adam had, and forfeited for all, 
 Chrift keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall. 
 
 Complaining. 
 
 D 
 
 ^O not beguile my heart, 
 Becaufe thou art 
 My power ana wifdome. Put me not to fhame, 
 
 Becaufe I am 
 Thy clay that weeps, thy duft that calls. 
 
 Thou art the Lord of glorie ; 
 
 The deed and ftorie 
 Are both thy due : but I a filly flie, 
 
 That live or die, 
 According as the weather falls. 
 
THE CHURCH. 151 
 
 Art thou all juftice, Lord : 
 
 Shows not thy word 
 More attributes ? Am I all throat or eye, 
 To weep or cry ? 
 Have I no parts but thofe of grief? 
 
 Let not thy wrathfull power 
 Afflict my houre, 
 My ^ch of life : or let thy gracious power 
 Contrail my houre, 
 That I may climbe and finde relief. 
 
 The Difcharge. 
 
 BUSIE enquiring heart, what wouldft thou know ? 
 Why doft thou prie, 
 And turn, and leer, and with a licorous* eye 
 Look high and low ; 
 And in thy lookings ftretch and grow ? 
 
 Haft thai not made thy counts, and fumm'd up all ? 
 
 Did not thy heart 
 Give up the whole, and with the whole depart ? 
 
 Let what will fall : 
 That which is paft who can recall ? 
 
 Thy life s Gods, thy time to come is gone, 
 
 And his is right. 
 He is thy night at noon : he is at night 
 
 Thy noon alone. 
 Tie crop is his, for he hath fown. 
 
 * Tempting, or inviting. 
 
152 Herbert's poems. 
 
 And well it was for thee, when this befell, 
 
 That God did make 
 Thy bufineffe his, and in thy life partake : 
 
 For thou canft tell, 
 Tf it be his once, all is well. 
 
 Onely the prefent is thy part and fee. 
 
 And happy thou, 
 If, though thou didft not beat thy future brow, 
 
 Thou couldft well fee 
 What prefent things requir'd of thee, 
 
 They afk enough ; why fhouldft thou further go ? 
 
 Raife not the mudde 
 Of future depths, but drink the cleare and gooc. 
 
 Dig not for wo 
 In times to come ; for it will grow. 
 
 Man and the prefent fit : if he provide, 
 
 He breaks the fquare. 
 This houre is mine : if for the next I care, 
 I grow too wide, 
 And do encroach upon deaths fide : 
 
 For death each hour environs and furrounds. 
 
 He that would know 
 And care for future chances, cannot go 
 Unto thofe grounds, 
 But thro' a Churchyard which them >ounds, 
 
 Things prefent (hrink and die : but they tha fpend 
 Their thoughts and fenfe 
 
 On future grief, do not remove it thence, 
 But it extend, 
 And draw the bottome out an end. 
 
THE CHURCH. I 53 
 
 God chains the dog till night : wilt loofe the chain, 
 
 And wake thy forrow ? 
 Wilt thou foreftall it, and now grieve to morrow, 
 And then again 
 Grieve over frefhly all thy pain ? 
 
 Either grief will not come : or if it muft, 
 Do not forecaft : 
 while it cometh, it is almoft paft. 
 Away diftruft : 
 My God hath promiFd ; he is juft. 
 
 Praife. 
 
 KING of glorie, King of peace, 
 I will love thee : 
 And that love may never ceafe, 
 I will move thee. 
 
 Thou haft granted my requeft, 
 
 Thou haft heard me : 
 
 Thou didft note my working breaft, 
 Thou haft fpar'd me. 
 
 Wherefore with my utmoft art 
 I will fing thee, 
 
 And the cream of all my heart 
 I will bring thee. 
 
 Though my fins againft me cried, 
 
 Thou didft cleare me ; 
 
 And alone, when they replied, 
 
 Thou didft heare me. 
 

 154 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Sev'n whole dayes, not one in feven, 
 I will praife thee. 
 
 In my heart, though not in heaven, 
 I can raife thee. 
 
 Thou grew'ft foft and moift with tears, 
 Thou relentedft. 
 
 And when Juftice call'd for fears, 
 Thou diffentedft. 
 
 Small it is, in this poore fort 
 
 To enroll thee : 
 
 Ev'n eternitie is too fhort 
 
 To extoll thee. 
 
 An Offering. 
 
 COME, bring thy gift. If bleffings were as flow 
 As mens returns, what would become of fools ? 
 What haft thou there ? a heart ? but is it pure ? 
 Search well, and fee ; for hearts have many holes. 
 Yet one pure heart is nothing to beftow : 
 In Chrift two natures met to be thy cure. 
 
 O that within us hearts had propagation, 
 
 Since many gifts do challenge many hearts ! 
 
 Yet one, if good, may title to a number ; 
 
 And fingle things grow fruitfull by deferts. 
 
 In public judgments one may be a nation.* 
 
 And fence a plague, while others fleep and flumber. 
 
 * The crimes, or the faith of one, may bring a judgment, or a 
 blefTing, upon a whole people j as in the cafe of David. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 *55 
 
 But all I fear is left thy heart difpleafe, 
 As neither good, nor one : fo oft divifions 
 Thy lufts have made, and not thy lufts alone • 
 Thy paflions alfo have their fet partitions. 
 Thefe parcell out thy heart : recover thefe, 
 And thou mayft offer many gifts in one. 
 
 There is a balfome, or indeed a bloud, 
 
 Dropping from heav'n, which doth both cleanfe and 
 
 clofe 
 All forts of wounds ; of fuch ftrange force it is. 
 Seek out this All-heal, and feek no repofe, 
 Until thou finde, and ufe it to thy good : 
 Then bring thy gift ; and let thy hymne be this ; 
 
 Since my fadnefie 
 
 Into gladnefle, 
 Lord thou doft convert, 
 
 O accept 
 
 What thou haft kept, 
 As thy due defert. 
 
 Had I many, 
 
 Had I any, 
 (For this heart is none) 
 
 All were thine 
 
 And none of mine, 
 Surely thine alone. 
 
 Yet thy favour 
 
 May give favour 
 To this poore oblation ; * 
 
 And it raife 
 
 To be thy praife, 
 And be my falvation. 
 
 # Offering. 
 
156 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Longing. 
 
 WITH fick and famifht eyes, 
 With doubling knees and weary bones, 
 To thee my cries, 
 To thee my grones, 
 To thee my fighs, my tears afcend : 
 No end ? 
 
 My throat, my foul is hoarfe ; 
 My heart is wither'd like a ground 
 
 Which thou doft curfe. 
 My thoughts turn round, 
 And make me giddie ; Lord, I fall, 
 Yet call. 
 
 From thee all pitie flows. 
 Mothers are kinde, becaufe thou art, 
 And doft difpofe 
 To them a part : 
 Their infants, them ; and they fuck thee 
 More free. 
 
 Bowels of pitie, heare ! 
 Lord of my foul, love of my minde, 
 Bow down thine eare ! 
 Let not the winde 
 Scatter my words, and in the fame 
 Thy name ! 
 
 Look on my forrows round ! 
 Mark well my furnace ! O what flames, 
 What heats abound ! 
 What griefs, what fhames ! 
 Confider, Lord ; Lord, bow thine eare, 
 And heare ! 
 
THE CHURCH. I57 
 
 Lord Jefu, thou didft bow 
 Thy dying head upon the tree : 
 O be not now 
 More dead to me ! 
 Lord, heare ! Shall he that made the eare 
 Not heare ? 
 
 Behold thy duft doth ftirre ; 
 It moves, it creeps, it aims at thee ; 
 Wilt thou deferre 
 To fuccour me, 
 Thy pile of duft, wherein each crumme 
 Sayes, Come? 
 
 To thee help appertains. 
 
 Haft thou left all things to their courfe, 
 
 And laid the reins 
 
 Upon the horfe ? 
 
 Is all lockt ? hath a finners plea 
 
 No key ? 
 
 Indeed the world's thy book, 
 Where all things have their leafe aflign'd ? 
 Yet a meek look 
 Hath interlin'd. 
 Thy board is full, yet humble guefts 
 Finde nefts. 
 
 Thou tarrieft, while I die, 
 And fall to nothing : thou doft reign, 
 And rule on high, 
 While I remain 
 In bitter grief: Yet am I ftil'd 
 
 Thy childe. 
 
158 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Lord, didft thou leave thy throne, 
 Not to relieve? how can it be, 
 
 That thou art grown 
 Thus hard to me ? 
 Were finne alive, good caufe there were 
 To bear. 
 
 But now both finne is dead, 
 And all thy promifes live and bide. 
 
 That wants his head ; 
 Thefe fpeak and chide, 
 And in thy bofome poure my tears, 
 As theirs. 
 
 Lord Jesu, heare my heart, 
 Which hath been broken now fo long, 
 That ev'ry part 
 Hath got a tongue ; 
 Thy beggars grow ; rid them away 
 To-day. 
 
 My love, my fweetneffe, heare ! 
 By thefe thy feet, at which my heart 
 Lies all the yeare, 
 Pluck out thy dart, 
 And heal my troubled breaft which cryes, 
 Which dyes. 
 
 The Bag. 
 
 A 
 
 WAY defpair ; my gracious Lord doth heare, 
 
 Though windes and waves affault my keel. 
 He doth preferve it ; he doth fteer, 
 Ev'n when the boat feems moft to reel. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 Storms are the triumph of his art : 
 Well may he clofe his eyes, but not his heart. 
 
 Haft thou not heard, that my Lord Jefus di'd ? 
 Then let me tell thee a ftrange ftorie. 
 The God of power, as he did ride 
 In his majesftick robes of glorie, 
 Refolv'd to light ;* and fo one day 
 
 He did defcend, undreiling all the way. 
 
 The ftarres his tire of light and rings obtain'd, 
 The cloud his bowe, the fire his fpear, 
 The fky his azure mantle gain'd. 
 And when they afk'd, what he would wear ; 
 He fmil'd, and faid as he did go, 
 
 He had new clothes a making here below, f 
 
 When he was come as travellers are wont, 
 
 He did repair unto an inne. 
 
 Both then, and after, many a brunt 
 
 He did endure to cancell finne : 
 
 And having giv'n the reft before, 
 Here he gave up his life to pay our fcore. 
 
 *59 
 
 
 But as he was returning, there came one 
 
 I That ran upon him with a fpear. 
 He, who came hither all alone, 
 Bringing nor man, nor arms, nor fear, 
 Receiv'd the blow upon his fide, 
 And ftraight he turned, and to his brethren cry'd, 
 
 * To defcend. 
 
 f The reader of Cowley will think that he has a conceit from 
 the Davideis. We find Bifhop Taylor writing on Good Friday : 
 
 " His Father's burning wrath did make 
 His very heart like melting wax to fweat 
 
 Rivers of blood, 
 Through the pure drainer of his (kin." 
 
ibo Herbert's poems. 
 
 If ye have any thing to fend or write, 
 (I have no bag, but here is room) 
 Unto my father's hands and fight 
 (Beleeve me) it mail fafely come. 
 That I mail minde, what you impart ; 
 
 Look, you may put it very neare my heart. 
 
 Or if hereafter any of my friends 
 
 Will ufe me in this kinde, the doore 
 Shall ftill be open \ what he fends 
 I will prefent, and fomewhat more, 
 Not to his hurt. Sighs will convey 
 
 Anything to me. Heark defpair, away. 
 
 The J 
 
 ews. 
 
 POORE nation, whofe fweet fap, and juice 
 Our cyens* have purloined, and left you drie ; 
 Whofe ftreams we got by the Apoftles fluce, 
 And ufe in baptifme, while ye pine and die : 
 Who by not keeping once, became a debter ; 
 And now by keeping lofe the letter : 
 
 Oh that my prayers ! mine, alas ! 
 Oh that fome Angel might a trumpet found : 
 At which the Church falling upon her face 
 Should crie fo loud, untill the trump were drown'd 
 And by that crie of her deare Lord obtain, 
 
 That your fweet fap might come again ! 
 
 * Scions. 
 
THE CHURCH. l6l 
 
 The Collar. 
 
 I STRUCK the board, and cry'd No more ; 
 I will abroad. 
 What ? fhall I ever figh and pine ? 
 My lines and life are free ; free as the road, 
 Loofe as the winde, as large as ftore. 
 Shall I be (till in fuit ? 
 Have I no harveft but a thorn 
 To let me bloud, and not reflore 
 t What I have loft with cordiall fruit ? 
 Sure there was wine, 
 Before my fighs did drie it : there was corn, 
 
 Before my tears did drown it. 
 Is the yeare onely loft to me ? 
 
 Have I no bayes to crown it ? 
 No flowers, no garlands gay ? all blafted ? 
 All wafted ? 
 Not fo, my heart : but there is fruit, 
 And thou haft hands. 
 Recover all thy figh-blown age 
 On double pleafures : leave thy cold difpute 
 Of what is fit, and not forfake thy cage, 
 
 Thy rope of fands, 
 Which pettie thoughts have made, and made to thee 
 Good cable, to enforce and draw, 
 
 And be thy law, 
 While thou didft wink and wouldft not fee. 
 Away: take heed: 
 I will abroad. 
 Call in thy deaths head there : tie up thy fears. 
 He that forbears 
 
 M 
 
l62 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 To fuit and ferve his need, 
 Deferves his load. 
 But as I rav'd and grew more fierce and wilde, 
 At every word, 
 Methought I heard one calling, Childe ; 
 And I reply'd, My Lord. 
 
 The Glimpfe. 
 
 WHITHER away delight ? 
 Thou cam' ft but now; wilt thou fo foon depart, 
 And give me up to night ? 
 For many weeks of lingring pain and fmart 
 But one half houre of comfort for my heart ? 
 
 Methinks delight mould have 
 More fkill in mufick, and keep better time. 
 
 Wert thou a winde or wave, 
 They quickly go and come with lefler crime : 
 Flowers look about, and die not in their prime. 
 
 Thy fhort abode and ftay 
 Feeds not, but addes to the defire of meat. 
 
 Lime begg'd of old (they fay) 
 A neighbour fpring to cool his inward heat ; 
 Which by the fprings acceffe grew much more great. 
 
 In hope of thee my heart 
 Pickt here and there a crumme, and would not die ; 
 
 But conftant to his part, 
 When as my fears foretold this, did replie, 
 A flender thread a gentle gueft will tie. 
 
THE CHURCH. 1 63 
 
 J Yet if the heart that wept 
 
 Muft let thee go, return when it doth knock. 
 Although thy heap be kept 
 For future times, the droppings of the flock 
 May oft break forth, and never break the lock. 
 
 If I have more to fpinne, 
 The wheel fhall go, fo that thy ftay be fhort. 
 
 Thou knowft how grief and finne 
 Difturb the work. O make me not their fport, 
 Who by thy coming may be made a Court ! 
 
 Aflurance. 
 
 O SPITEFUL bitter thought ! 
 Bitterly fpitefull thought ! Couldft thou invent 
 So high a torture ! Is fuch poyfon bought ? 
 DoubtlefTe, but in the way of punifhment, 
 When wit contrives to meet with thee, 
 No fuch rank poyfon can there be. 
 
 Thou faid'ft but even now, 
 That all was not fo fair, as I conceiv'd, 
 Betwixt my God and me ; that I allow 
 And coin large hopes ; but, that I was deceiv'd : 
 
 Either the league was broke, or neare it ; 
 
 And, that I had great caufe to fear it. 
 
 . 
 
 And what to this ? what more 
 ould poyfon, if it had a tongue, exprefle ? 
 What is thy aim? wouldft thou unlock the doore 
 To cold defpairs, and gnawing penfiveneffe ? 
 Wouldft thou raife devils ? I fee, I know, 
 I writ thy purpofe long ago. 
 M 2 
 
164 Herbert's poems. 
 
 But I will to my Father, 
 Who heard thee fay it. O moft gracious Lord, 
 If all the hope and comfort that I gather, 
 Were from myfelf, I had not half a word, 
 
 Not half a letter to oppofe 
 
 What is objected by my foes. 
 
 But thou art my defert : 
 And in this league, which now my foes invade, 
 Thou art not onely to perform thy part, 
 But alfo mine : as when the league was made, 
 Thou didft at once thyfelf indite, 
 And hold my hand, while I did write. 
 
 Wherefore if thou canft fail, 
 
 Then can thy truth and I : but while rocks ftand, 
 
 And rivers ftirre, thou canft not fhrink or quail : 
 
 Yea, when both rocks and all things fhall difband, 
 
 Then fhalt thou be my rock and tower, 
 
 And make their ruine praife thy power. 
 
 Now foolifh thought go on, 
 Spin out thy thread, and make thereof a coat 
 To hide thy fhame : for thou haft caft a bone, 
 Which bounds on thee, and will not down thy throat. 
 What for it felf love once began, 
 Now love and truth will end in man. 
 
 The Call. 
 
 COME, my Way, my Truth, my Life : 
 Such a Way, as gives us breath : 
 Such a Truth, as ends all ftrife : 
 Such a Life, as killeth death. 
 
THE CHURCH. 165 
 
 Come, my Light, my Feaft, my Strength : 
 Such a Light, as mows a feaft: 
 Such a Feaft, as mends in length : 
 Such a Strength, as makes his gueft. 
 
 Come, my Joy, my Love, my Heart : 
 Such a Joy, as none can move : 
 Such a Love, as none can part : 
 Such a Heart, as joyes in love. 
 
 Clafping of Hands. 
 
 LORD, thou art mine, and I am thine, 
 If mine I am : and thine much more, 
 Than I or ought, or can be mine. 
 Yet to be thine, doth me reftore ; 
 So that again I now am mine, 
 And with advantage mine the more. 
 Since this being mine, brings with it thine, 
 And thou with me doft thee reftore. 
 If I without thee would be mine, 
 I neither fhould be mine nor thine. 
 
 Lord, I am thine, and thou art mine : 
 So mine thou art, that fomething more 
 I may prefume thee mine, then thine 
 For thou didft fuffer to reftore 
 Not thee, but me, and to be mine : 
 And with advantage mine the more, 
 Since thou in death waft none of thine, 
 Yet then as mine didft me reftore. 
 
 O be mine ftill ! ftill make me thine ; 
 
 Or rather make no Thine and Mine ! 
 
166 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Praife. 
 
 LORD, I will mean and fpeak thy praife, 
 Thy praife alone. 
 My bufie heart mail fpin it all my dayes : 
 And when it flops for want of ftore, 
 Then will I wring it with a figh or grone, 
 That thou mayft yet have more. 
 
 When thou doft favour any action, 
 It runnes, it flies : 
 All things concurre to give it a perfection. 
 That which had but two legs before, 
 When thou doft blefle, hath twelve : one wheel doth rife 
 To twentie then, or more. 
 
 But when thou doft on bufinefTe blow, 
 It hangs, it clogs : 
 Not all the teams of Albion in a row 
 Can hale or draw it out of doore. 
 Legs are but ftumps, and Pharaohs wheels but logs, 
 And ftruggling hinders more. 
 
 Thoufands of things do thee employ 
 In ruling all 
 This fpacious globe : Angels muft have their joy, 
 
 Devils their rod, the fea his more, 
 The windes their ftint : and yet when I did call, 
 Thou heardft my call, and more. 
 
 I have not loft one fingle tear : 
 
 But when mine eyes 
 Did weep to heav'n, they found a bottle* there 
 
 * " Thou telleft my Sittings, put my tears into thy bottle." — 
 Ps. lvi. 8. 
 
THE CHURCH. l6y 
 
 (As we have boxes for the poore) 
 Readie to take them in ; yet of a fize 
 
 That would contain much more. 
 
 But after thou hadft flipt a drop 
 From thy right eye 
 (Which there did hang like ftreamers neare the top 
 
 Of fome fair church to (how the fore 
 And bloudie battell which thou once didft trie) 
 The glafTe was full and more. 
 
 Wherefore I fing. Yet fince my heart, 
 
 Though prefPd, runnes thin \ 
 O that I might fome other hearts convert, 
 
 And fo take up at ufe good ftore : 
 That to thy chefts there might be coming in 
 Both all my praife, and more ! 
 
 Jofeph's Coat. 
 
 WOUNDED I fing, tormented I indite, 
 Thrown down I fall into a bed, and reft : 
 Sorrow hath chang'd its note : fuch is his will 
 Who changeth all things, as him pleafeth beft. 
 
 For well he knows, if but one grief and fmart 
 Among my many had his full career, 
 Sure it would carrie with it ev'n my heart, 
 And both would runne until they found a biere 
 To fetch the bodie \ both being due to grief. 
 But he hath fpoil'd the race ; and giv'n to anguilh 
 One of Joyes coats, ticing it with relief 
 To linger in me, and together languilh. 
 
 I live to mew his power, who once did bring 
 My joyes to weep, and now my griefs to fing. 
 
168 Herbert's poems, 
 
 The Pulley. 
 
 WHEN God at firft made man, 
 Having a glafle of bleffings ftanding by; 
 Let us (faid he) poure on him all v/e can : 
 Let the worlds riches, which difperfed lie, 
 Contract into a fpan. 
 
 So ftrength firft made a way; 
 Then beautie flow'd, then wifdome, honour, pleafure : 
 When almoft all was out, God made a ftay, 
 Perceiving that alone, of all his treafure, 
 
 Reft in the bottome lay. 
 
 For if I mould (faid he) 
 Beftow this Jewell alfo on my creature, 
 He would adore my gifts in ftead of me, 
 And reft in Nature, not the God of Nature : 
 
 So both mould lofers be. 
 
 Yet let him keep the reft, 
 But keep them with repining reftlefnefle : 
 Let him be rich and wearie, that at leaft, 
 If goodneffe leade him not, yet wearineffe 
 
 May toffe him to my breaft. 
 
 The PriefthoocL 
 
 BLEST Order, which in power doft fo excell, 
 That with th' one hand thou lifteft to the Iky, 
 And with the other throweft down to hell 
 In thy juft cenfures; fain would I draw nigh; 
 Fain put thee on, exchanging my lay-fword 
 
 For that of th' holy word. 
 

 THE CHURCH. l6g 
 
 But thou art fire, facred and hallow'd fire; 
 And I but earth and clay: fhould I prefume 
 To wear thy habit, the fevere attire 
 My flender compofitions might confume. 
 I am both foul and brittle, much unfit 
 
 To deal in holy Writ. 
 
 Yet have I often feen, by cunning hand 
 
 And force of fire, what curious things are made 
 
 Of wretched earth. Where once I fcorn'd to Hand, 
 
 That earth is fitted by the fire and trade 
 
 Of fkilfull artifts, for the boards of thofe 
 
 Who make the braveft mows. 
 
 But fince thofe great ones, be they ne're fo great, 
 Come from the earth, from whence thofe veiTels come \ 
 So that at once both feeder, dim, and meat, 
 Have one beginning and one finall fumme : 
 I do not greatly wonder at the fight, 
 
 If earth in earth delight. 
 
 But th' holy men of God fuch vefTels are, 
 As ferve him up, who all the world commands. 
 When God vouchfafeth to become our fare, 
 Their hands convey him, who conveys their hands : 
 O what pure things, moft pure muft thofe things be, 
 Who bring my God to me ! 
 
 Wherefore I dare not, I, put forth my hand 
 
 To hold the Ark, although it feem to make 
 
 Through th' old finnes and new doctrines of our land. 
 
 Onely, fince God doth often vefTels make 
 
 Of lowly matter for high ufes meet, 
 
 I throw me at his feet. 
 
170 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 There will I lie, untill my Maker feek 
 For fome mean ftuffe whereon to mow his fkill : 
 Then is my time. The diftance of the meek 
 Doth natter power. Left good come ftiort of ill 
 In praifing might, the poore do by fubmiflion 
 What pride by oppofition. 
 
 The Search. 
 
 WHITHER, O, whither art thou fled, 
 My Lord, my Love ? 
 My fearches are my daily bread ; 
 
 Yet never prove 
 
 My knees pierce th' earth, mine eies the fkie : 
 And yet the fphere 
 
 And centre both to me denie 
 
 That thou art there. 
 
 Yet can I mark how herbs below 
 
 Grow green and gay; 
 
 As if to meet thee they did know, 
 
 While I decay. 
 
 Yet can I mark how ftarres above 
 
 Simper and mine, 
 
 As having keyes unto thy love, 
 
 While poor I pine. 
 
 I fent a figh to feek thee out, 
 
 Deep drawn in pain, 
 Wing'd like an arrow : but my fcout 
 
 Returns in vain. 
 
THE CHURCH. 171 
 
 I tun'd another (having (tore) 
 
 Into a grone, 
 Becaufc the fearch was dumbe before : 
 
 But all was one. 
 
 Lord, doft thou fome new fabrick mold 
 
 Which favour winnes, 
 
 And keeps thee prefent, leaving th' old 
 
 Unto their finnes ! 
 
 Where is my God ? what hidden place 
 
 Conceals thee ftill ? 
 
 What covert dare eclipfe thy face ? 
 Is it thy will ? 
 
 O let not that of any thing : 
 
 Let rather brafte, 
 
 Or fteel, or mountains be thy ring, 
 
 And I will pafTe. 
 
 Thy will fuch an intrenching is, 
 
 As pafleth thought : 
 
 To it all ftrength, all fubtilties 
 
 Are things of nought. 
 
 Thy will fuch a ftrange diftance is, 
 
 As that to it 
 Eaft and Weft touch, the poles do kiffe, 
 
 And parallels meet. 
 
 Since then my grief muft be as large 
 
 As is thy fpace, 
 
 Thy diftance from me ; fee my charge, 
 
 Lord, fee my cafe. 
 
I72 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 O take thefe barres, thefe lengths away; 
 
 Turn, and reftore me : 
 Be not Almightie, let me fay, 
 
 Againft, but for me. 
 
 When thou doft turn, and wilt be neare ; 
 
 What edge fo keen, 
 What point fo piercing can appeare 
 
 To come between ? 
 
 For as thy abfence doth excell 
 
 All diftance known : 
 
 So doth thy nearneffe bear the bell, 
 
 Making two one. 
 
 Grief. 
 
 WHO will give me tears ? Come all ye fprings. 
 Dwell in my head and eyes : come, clouds, and 
 My grief hath need of all the watry things, [rain : 
 
 That nature hath produc'd. Let ev'ry vein 
 Suck up a river to fupply mine eyes, 
 My weary weeping eyes too drie for me, 
 Unleffe they get new conduits, new fupplies, 
 To bear them out, and with my ftate agree. 
 What are two mallow foords, two little fpouts 
 Of a leffe world r the greater is but fmall, 
 A narrow cupboard for my griefs and doubts, 
 Which want provifion in the midft of all. 
 Verfes, ve are too fine a thing, too wife 
 For my rough forrows : ceafe, be dumbe and mute, 
 Give up your feet and running to mine eyes, 
 And keep your meafures for fome lover's lute, 
 Whofe grief allows him mufick and a ryme : 
 For mine excludes both meafure, tune, and time. 
 Alas, my God ! 
 
THE CHURCH. 173 
 
 The Crofle. 
 
 WHAT is this ftrange and uncouth thing 
 To make me figh, and feek, and faint, and die, 
 Untill I had fome place, where I might fing, 
 
 And ferve thee ; and not onely I, 
 But all my wealth, and familie might combine 
 To fet thy honour up, as our defigne. 
 
 And then when after much delay, 
 Much wreftling, many a combate, this deare end, 
 So much defir'd, is giv'n, to take away 
 
 My power to ferve thee : to unbend 
 All my abilities, my defignes confound, 
 And lay my threatnings bleeding on the ground. 
 
 One ague dwelleth in my bones, 
 Another in my foul (the memorie 
 What I would do for thee, if once my grones 
 
 Could be allow'd for harmonie) 
 I am in all a weak difabled thing, 
 Save in the fight thereof, where ftrength doth fling. 
 
 Befides, things fort not to my will, 
 Ev'n when my will doth ftudie thy renown : 
 Thou turneft th' edge of all things on me ftill, 
 
 Taking me up to throw me down : 
 So that, ev'n when my hopes feem to be fped, 
 I am to grief alive, to them as dead. 
 
 To have my aim, and yet to be 
 Farther from it than when I bent my bow \ 
 
174. Herbert's poems. 
 
 To make my hopes my torture, and the fee 
 
 Of all my woes another wo, 
 Is in the midft of delicates to need, 
 And ev'n in Paradife to be a weed. 
 
 Ah my deare Father, eafe my fmart ! 
 Thefe contrarieties cruih me : thefe croffe actions 
 Doe winde a rope about, and cut my heart : 
 
 And yet fince thefe thy contradictions 
 Are properly a croffe felt by thy fonne 
 With but foure words, my words, Thy will be done. 
 
 The Flower.* 
 
 HOW frefh, O Lord, how fweet and clean 
 Are thy returns ! ev'n as the flowers in 
 fpring ; 
 To which, befides their own demean, 
 The late-paft frofts tributes of pleafure bring. 
 Grief melts away 
 Like fnow in May, 
 As if there were no fuch cold thing. 
 
 * " The poem entitled e The Flower' is efpecially affecting, and 
 to me fuch a phrafe as * reliih verting,' exprefTes a fmcerity, a reality 
 which I would not willingly exchange for the more dignified, ( and 
 once more love the mufe.' " — Coleridge to the painter Collins, 
 (Life of Collins, i. 147.) In another place he calls it a " delicious 
 poem 5" and delicious it is in thought, muiic, and expreflion ; but 
 I would not adopt Mr. Coleridge's glofs upon the laft line in the 
 firft ftanza, "as if there had been no fuch thing." The poet 
 furely intended to exhibit grief, carting off fadnefs, and rejoicing 
 in hope, juft as if there were no made and cold in the world to 
 darken and chill her again. 
 
THE CHURCH. I 75 
 
 Who would have thought my fhrivel'd heart 
 Could have recovered greennefTe ? It was gone 
 
 Quite under ground ; as flowers depart 
 To fee their mother-root, when they have blown - y 
 Where they together 
 All the hard weather, 
 Dead to the world, keep houfe unknown. 
 
 Thefe are thy wonders, Lord of power, 
 Killing and quickning, bringing down to hell 
 
 And up to heaven in an houre , 
 Making a chiming of a pafling-bell. 
 We fay amifTe, 
 This or that is : 
 Thy word is all, if we could fpell. 
 
 O that I once paft changing were, 
 
 Faft in thy Paradife, where no flower can wither ! 
 
 Many a fpring I fhoot up fair, 
 Offring at heav'n, growing and groning thither : 
 Nor doth my flower 
 Want a fpring-fhowre, 
 My finnes and I joining together. 
 
 But while I grow in a ftraight line, 
 Still upwards bent, as if heav'n were mine own, 
 
 Thy anger comes, and I decline : 
 What froft to that ? what pole is not the zone 
 Where all things burn, 
 AVhen thou doft turn, 
 And the leaft frown of thine is ftiown ? 
 
 And now in age I bud again, 
 After fo many deaths I live and write ; 
 
 I once more fmell the dew and rain, 
 And relifh verfing : O my onely light, 
 
176 Herbert's poems. 
 
 It cannot be 
 That I am he, 
 On whom thy tempefts fell all night. 
 
 Thefe are thy wonders, Lord of love, 
 To make us fee we are but flowers that glide 
 
 Which when we once can finde and prove, 
 Thou haft a garden for us, where to bide. 
 Who would be more, 
 Swelling through ftore. 
 Forfeit their Paradife by their pride. 
 
 Dotage. 
 
 FALSE glozing* pleafures, cafks of happinefle, 
 Foolifh night- fires, womens and childrens wifhes, 
 Chafes in Arras, f guilded emptineffe, 
 Shadows well mounted, dreams in a career,:): 
 Embroider'd lyes, nothing between two dimes \ 
 Thefe are the pleafures here. 
 
 True earneft forrows, rooted miferies, 
 Anguifh in grain, vexations ripe and blown, 
 Sure-footed griefs, folid calamities, 
 Plain demonftrations, evident and cleare, 
 Fetching their proofs ev'n from the very bone ; 
 Thefe are the forrows here. 
 
 But oh the folly of diftracted men, 
 
 Who griefs in earneft, joyes in jeft purfue ; 
 
 * Flattering. f Hunting fcenes embroidered. 
 
 \ The ground on which a race is run, or a combat fought. 
 
THE CHURCH. I 77 
 
 Preferring, like brute beads, a loathfome den 
 Before a court, ev'n that above Co cleare, 
 Where are no forrows, but delights more true 
 Then miferies are here ! 
 
 The Sonne. 
 
 LET forrain nations of their language boaft, 
 What fine varietie each tongue affords : 
 1 like our language, as our men and coafr. ; 
 Who cannot drefle it well, want wit, not words. 
 How neatly do we give one onely name 
 To parents iffue and the funnes bright ftarre. 
 A fonne is light and fruit ; a fruitfull flame 
 Chafing the fathers dimneffe, carried far 
 From the firft man in th ? Eaft, to frefh and new 
 Weftern difcov'ries of pofteritie. 
 So in one word our Lords humilitie 
 We turn upon him in a fenfe moft true ; 
 
 For what Chrift once in humbleneiTe began, 
 We him in glorie call, The Sonne of Man. 
 
 A true Hymne. 
 
 MY joy, my life, my crown ! 
 My heart was meaning all the day, 
 Somewhat it fain would fay 
 And ftill it runneth mutt'ring up and down 
 With only this, My joy, my life, my crown. 
 
 N 
 
178 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Yet flight not thele few words ; 
 If truly faid, they may take part 
 
 Among the beft in art. 
 The fineneffe which a hymne or pfalme affords, 
 Is, when the foul unto the lines accords. 
 
 He who craves all the minde, 
 And all the foul, and ftrength, and time, 
 
 If the words onely ryme, 
 Juftly complains, that fomewhat is behinde 
 To make his verfe, or write a hymne in kinde. 
 
 Whereas if th' heart be moved, 
 Although the verfe be fomewhat fcant, 
 
 God doth fupplie the want. 
 As when th' heart fays (fighing to be approved) 
 O, could I love ! and flops ; God writeth, Loved. 
 
 The Anfwer. 
 
 MY comforts drop and melt like fnow : 
 I make my head, and all the thoughts and ends, 
 Which my fierce youth did bandie, fall and flow 
 Like leaves about me, or like fummer- friends, 
 Flyes of eftates and funne-fhine. But to all, 
 Who think me eager, hot, and undertaking, 
 But in my profecutions flack and fmall ; 
 As a young exhalation, newly waking, 
 Scorns his firft bed of dirt, and means the fky; 
 But cooling by the way, grows purfie and flow, 
 And fettling to a cloud, doth live and die 
 In that dark ftate of tears : to all, that fo 
 
 Show me, and fet me, I have one reply, 
 Which they uhat know the reft, know more then I. 
 

 THE CHURCH. I 79 
 
 A Dialogue-Anthem. 
 
 Christian, Death. 
 
 Chr. A LAS, poore death ! where is thy glorie ? 
 
 Jfj^ Where is thy famous force, thy ancient fling? 
 Dea. Alas, poore mortall, void of ftorie, 
 
 Go fpell and reade how I have kill'd thy King. 
 Chr. Poore death ! and who was hurt thereby? 
 
 Thy curfe being laid on him makes thee accurft. 
 Dea. Let lofers talk, yet thou fhalt die ; 
 
 Thefe arms fhall crufh thee. 
 Chr. Spare not, do thy worft. 
 
 I fhall be one day better then before : 
 
 Thou fo much worfe,that thou fhalt be no more. 
 
 The Water-Courfe. 
 
 THOU who doft dwell and linger here below, 
 Since the condition of this world is frail. 
 Where of all plants afflictions fooneft grows 
 If troubles overtake thee, do not wail : 
 
 C T 'f 
 
 For who can look for leffe, that loveth < - J 
 
 But rather turn the pipe, and waters courfe 
 To ferve thy finnes, and furnifh thee with ftore 
 
 N 2 
 
i8o Herbert's poems. 
 
 Of fov'raigne tears, fpringing from true remorfe : 
 That fo in purenefle thou mayft him adore 
 
 Who gives to man, as he fees fit, / Salvation. 
 ° * I Damnation. 
 
 T 
 
 Self-condemnation. 
 
 *HOU who condemneft Jewifh hate, 
 For choofing Barabbas a murderer 
 Before the Lord of glorie 3 
 Look back upon thine own eftate, 
 Call home thine eye (that bufie wanderer) 
 
 That choice may be thy ftorie.* 
 
 He that doth love, and love amiffe 
 This worlds delights before true Chriftian joy, 
 Hath made a Jewifh choice : 
 The world an ancient murderer is -> 
 Thoufands of fouls it hath and doth deftroy 
 With her enchanting voice. 
 
 He that hath made a forrie wedding 
 Between his foul and gold, and hath preferr'd 
 Falfe gain before the true, 
 Hath done what he condemnes in reading : 
 For he hath fold for money his deare Lord, 
 And is a Judas-Jew. 
 
 Thus we preventf the la ft great day, 
 And judge our felves. That light which fin and paflion 
 Did before dimme and choke, 
 
 * Af if he faid: — What the Jrvs did may be told of you; 
 your own wicked life, and Jenial of the Saviour being mown in 
 the very ftory you condemn. 
 
 f " Go before/' as in the collect, " Prevent us, O Lord." 
 
THE CHURCH. l8l 
 
 When once thofe fnufFes arc ta'en away, 
 Shines bright and cleare, ev'n unto condemnation, 
 Without excufe or cloak. 
 
 Bitter-fweet. 
 
 AH, my deare angrie Lord, 
 Since thou doft love, yet ftrike ; 
 Cafr. down, yet help afford ; 
 Sure I will do the like. 
 
 I will complain, yet praife ; 
 I will bewail, approve : 
 And all my fowre-fweet dayes 
 I will lament, and love. 
 
 The Glance, 
 
 WHEN firft thy fweet and gracious eye, 
 Vouchfaf 'd ev'n in the midft of youth 
 and night 
 To look upon me, who before did lie 
 
 Weltering in finne ; 
 I felt a fugred ftrange delight, 
 Paffing all cordials made by any art, 
 Bedew, embalme, and overrunne my heart, 
 And take it in. 
 
182 herbet's poems. 
 
 Since that time many a bitter ftorm 
 My foul hath felt, ev'n able to deftroy, 
 Had the malicious and ill-meaning harm 
 His fwing and fway: 
 But ftill thy fweet originall joy, 
 Sprung from thine eye 5 did work within my foul, 
 And furging griefs, when they grew bold, controll, 
 And got the day. 
 
 If thy firft glance fo powerfull be, 
 A mirth but open'd, and feal'd up again ; 
 What wonders mall we feel, when we (hall fee 
 Thy full-ey'd love ! 
 When thou {halt look us out of pain, 
 And one afpe£t of thine fpend in delight 
 More then a thoufand funnes difburfe in light, 
 In heav'n above. 
 
 The Twenty-third Pfalme. 
 
 THE God of love my fhepherd is, 
 And he that doth me feed : 
 W hile he is mine, and I am his, 
 
 What can I want or need ? 
 
 He leads me to the tender graffe, 
 
 Where I both feed and reft ; 
 
 Then to the ftreams that gently paffe : 
 In both I have the beft. 
 
THE CHURCH. 183 
 
 Or if I ftray, he doth convert, 
 
 And bring my minde in frame r 
 
 And all this not for my defert. 
 
 But for his holy name. 
 
 Yea, in deaths fhadie black abode 
 
 Well may I walk, not fear : 
 For thou art with me, and thy rod 
 
 To guide, thy ftaffe to bear. 
 
 Nay, thou doft make me fit and dine, 
 
 Ev'n in my enemies fight : 
 My head with oyl, my cup with wine 
 
 Runnes over day and night. 
 
 Surely thy fweet and wondrous love 
 
 Shall meafure all my dayes; 
 And as it never (hall remove, 
 
 So neither mail my praife. 
 
 Marie Magdalene. 
 
 WHEN bleffed Marie wip'd her Saviours feet, 
 (Whofe precepts fhe had trampled on before) 
 And wore them for a Jewell on her head, 
 Shewing his fteps mould be the ftreet, 
 Wherein me thenceforth evermore 
 With penfive humbleneffe would live and tread : 
 
 She being ftain'd herfelf, why did me ftrive 
 To make him clean, who could not be defiPd ? 
 
184 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Why kept fhe not her tears for her own faults, 
 And not his feet ? Though we could dive 
 In tears like feas, our finnes are piPd 
 
 Deeper then they, in words, and works, and thoughts. 
 
 Deare foul, fhe knew who did vouchfafe and deigne 
 To bear her filth; and that her fmnes did dafh 
 Ev'n God himfelf : wherefore ihe was not loth 
 
 As fhe had brought wherewith to ftain, 
 
 So to bring in wherewith to w T afh : 
 And yet in warning one, fhe wafhed both. 
 
 Aaron. 
 
 HOLINESSE on the head 
 Light and perfections on the breaft, 
 Harmonious bells below raifing the dead 
 To leade them unto life and reft. 
 Thus are true Aarons dreft. 
 
 Profaneneffe in my head, 
 Defects and darkneffe in my breaft, 
 A noife of paflions ringing me for dead 
 Unto a place where is no reft : 
 
 Poore prieft thus am I dreft, 
 
 Onely another head 
 I have, another heart and breaft, 
 Another mufick, making live, not dead, 
 Without whom I could have no reft : 
 In him I am well dreft. 
 
THE CHURCH. 185 
 
 Chrift is my onely head, 
 My alone onely heart and breaft, 
 My onely mufick, ftriking me ev'n dead; 
 That to the old man I may reft, 
 
 And be in him new dreft. 
 
 So holy in my head, 
 Perfect and light in my deare breaft, 
 My doctrine tun'd by Chrift, (who is not dead, 
 But lives in me while I do reft) 
 
 Come, people ; Aaron's dreft. 
 
 The Odour. 
 
 2 COR. II. 
 
 HOW fweetly doth My Mafter found ! My 
 Mafter! 
 As Amber-greefe leaves a rich fcent 
 U nto the tafter : 
 So do thefe words a fweet content, 
 An orientall fragrancie, My Mafter. 
 
 With thefe all day I do perfume my minde, 
 My mind ev'n thru ft into them both \ 
 
 That I might finde 
 What cordials make this curious broth, 
 
 This broth of fmells,that feeds and fats* my minde. 
 
 My Mafter, fhall I fpeak ? O that to thee 
 
 My Servant were a little fo, 
 As flefh may be ; 
 
 That thefe two words might creep and grow 
 To fome degree of fpicineffe to thee ! 
 
 * Fattens. 
 
1 86 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Then fhould the Pomander,* which was before 
 A fpeaking fweet, mend by reflection, 
 
 And tell me more : 
 For pardon of my imperfection 
 
 Would warm and work it fweeter than before. 
 
 For when My Mafter, which alone is fweet, 
 And ev'n in my unworthineffe pleafing, 
 
 Shall call and meet, 
 My Servant, as thee not difpleafing, 
 
 That call is but the breathing of the fweet. 
 
 This breathing would with gains by fweetning me 
 (As fweet things tramck when they meet) 
 
 Return to thee. 
 And fo this new commerce and fweet 
 
 Should all my life employ, and bufie me. 
 
 The Foil. 
 
 IF we could fee below 
 The fphere of vertue, and each ftiining grace^ 
 As plainly as that above doth mow; 
 This were the better fkie, the brighter place. 
 
 God hath made ftarres the foil 
 To let off vertues ; griefs to fet off finning : 
 
 Yet in this wretched world we toil, 
 As if grief were not foul, nor vertue winning. 
 
 * A ball or powder of fweet fubftances. 
 
THE CHURCH. 187 
 
 The Forerunners. 
 
 THE harbingers are come. See, fee their mark; 
 White is their colour, and behold my head. 
 But muft they have my brain ? muft they difpark* 
 Thofe fparkling notions, which therein were bred ? 
 
 Muft dulnefle turn me to a clod ? 
 Yet have they left me, Thou art ftill my God. 
 
 Good men ye be, to leave me my beft room, 
 Ev'n all my heart, and what is lodged there : 
 I paffe not, I, what of the reft become, 
 So, Thou art ftill my God, be out of fear. 
 
 He will be pleafed with that dittie ; 
 And if I pleafe him, I write fine and wittie. 
 
 Farewell fweet phrafes, lovely metaphors : 
 But will ye leave me thus ? when ye before 
 Of ftews and brothels onely knew the doores, 
 Then did I wafh you with my tears, and more, 
 
 Brought you to Church well dreft and clad : 
 My God muft have my beft, ev'n all I had. 
 
 Lovely enchanting language, fugar-cane, 
 Hony of rofes, whither wilt thou flie ? 
 Hath fome fond lover tie'd thee to thy bane ? 
 And wilt thou leave the Church, and love a ftie ? 
 
 Fie, thou wilt foil thy broider'd coat, 
 And hurt thyfelf, and him that fings the note. 
 
 Let foolifh lovers, if they will love dung, 
 With canvas, not with arras clothe their fliame : 
 
 * To throw open a park. 
 
05 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Let follie fpeak in her own native tongue. 
 True beautie dwells on high : ours is a flame 
 
 But borrowed thence to light us thither. 
 Beautie and beauteous words mould go together. 
 
 Yet if you go, I paffe not; take your way: 
 For, Thou art ftill my God, is all that ye 
 Perhaps with more embellifhment can fay. 
 Go birds of fpring; let winter have his fee; 
 
 Let a bleak paleneffe chalk the doore, 
 So all within be livelier then before. 
 
 The Rofe. 
 
 PRESSE me not to take more pleafure 
 In this world of fugred lies, 
 And to ufe a larger meafure 
 
 Than my ftricT:, yet welcome fize. 
 Firft, there is no pleafure here : 
 
 Colour'd griefs indeed there are, 
 Blufhing woes, that look as cleare, 
 As if they could beautie fpare. 
 
 Or if fuch deceits there be, 
 
 Such delights I meant to fay; 
 
 There are no fuch things to me, 
 
 Who have pafFd my right away. 
 
 But I will not much oppofe 
 
 Unto what you now advife : 
 
 Onely take this gentle rofe, 
 
 And therein my anfwer lies. 
 
THE CHURCH. 1 89 
 
 What is fairer then a rofe ? 
 
 What is fweeter? yet it purgeth. 
 Purgings enmitie difclofe, 
 
 Enmitie forbearance urgeth. 
 
 If then all that worldlings prize 
 
 Be contracted to a rofe; 
 Sweetly there indeed it lies, 
 
 But it biteth in the clofe. 
 
 So this flower doth judge and fentence 
 
 Worldly joyes to be a fcourge : 
 For they all produce repentance, 
 
 And repentance is a purge. 
 
 But I health, not phyfick choofe : 
 
 Onely though I you oppofe, 
 Say that fairly I refufe, 
 
 For my anfwer is a rofe. 
 
 Difcipline. 
 
 THROW away thy rod, 
 Throw away thy wrath : 
 
 my God, 
 Take the gentle path. 
 
 For my hearts defire 
 Unto thine is bent : 
 
 1 afpire 
 To a full confent. 
 
I9O HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 Not a word or look 
 I affecl: to own, 
 
 But by book, 
 And thy book alone. 
 
 Though I fail, I weep : 
 Though I halt in pace, 
 
 Yet I creep 
 To the throne of grace. 
 
 Then let wrath remove ; 
 Love will do the deed : 
 
 For with love 
 Stonie hearts will bleed. 
 
 Love is fwift of foot ; 
 Love's a man of warre, 
 
 And can (hoot, 
 And can hit from farre. 
 
 Who can fcape his bow ? 
 That which wrought on thee, 
 
 Brought thee low, 
 Needs muft work on me. 
 
 Throw away thy rod ; 
 Though man frailties hath, 
 
 Thou art God : 
 Throw away thy wrath. 
 
THE CHURCH. 
 
 The Invitation. 
 
 COME ye hither all, whofe tafte 
 Is your wafte ; 
 Save your coft, and mend your fare. 
 God is here prepar'd and dreft, 
 
 And the feaft, 
 God, in whom all dainties are. 
 
 Come ye hither all, whom wine 
 
 Doth define,* 
 
 Naming you not to your good : 
 
 Weep what ye have drunk amide, 
 
 And drink this, 
 
 Which before ye drink is bloud. 
 
 Come ye hither all, whom pain 
 
 Doth arraigne, 
 
 Bringing all your finnes to fight : 
 
 Tafte and fear not : God is here 
 
 In this cheer, 
 
 And on finne doth caft the fright. 
 
 Come ye hither all, whom joy 
 
 Doth deftroy, 
 
 While ye graze without your bounds : 
 
 Here is joy that drowneth quite 
 
 Your delight, 
 
 As a floud the lower grounds. 
 
 * Give a character by qualities. 
 
 i 9 i 
 
I92 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Come ye hither all, v/hofe love 
 
 Is your dove, 
 
 And exalts vou to the fide : 
 j 
 
 Here is love, which, having breath 
 
 Ev'n in death, 
 After death can never die. 
 
 Lord I have invited all, 
 
 And I fhal! 
 Still invite, ftill call to thee : 
 For it feems but juft and right 
 
 In my fight, 
 Where is all, there all mould be. 
 
 The Banquet. 
 
 WELCOME fvveet and facred cheer, 
 Welcome deare ; 
 With me, in me, live and dwell : 
 For thy neatnefTe * paffeth fight, 
 
 Thy delight 
 PafTeth tongue to tafte or tell. 
 
 O what fweetneffe from the bowl 
 Fills my foul, 
 
 Such as is, and makes divine ! 
 
 Is fome ftarre (fled from the fphere) 
 Melted there, 
 
 As we fugar melt in wine ? 
 
 * Milton has the word in his fonnet to Mr. Lawrence : — 
 " What neat repaft fhall feaft us light and choice, 
 Of Attic tafte." 
 And in L' Allegro (p. %6) :— 
 
 M Which the neat-handed Phyllis drefles." 
 
THE CHURCH. I93 
 
 Or hath fweetneffe in the bread 
 
 Made a head 
 To fubdue the fmell of finne, 
 Flowers, and gummes, and powders giving 
 
 All their living, 
 Left the enemie fhould winne ? 
 
 DoubtlefTe neither ftarre nor flower 
 Hath the power 
 
 Such a fweetneffe to impart : 
 
 Onely Cod, who gives perfumes, 
 Flefh affumes, 
 
 And with it perfumes my heart. 
 
 But as Pomanders and wood 
 
 Still are good, 
 Yet being bruif 'd are better fcented ; 
 God, to fhow how farre his love 
 
 Could improve, 
 Here, as broken, is prefented. 
 
 When I had forgot my birth, 
 
 And on earth 
 In delights of earth was drown'd ; 
 God took bloud, and needs would be 
 
 Spilt with me, 
 And fo found me on the ground. 
 
 Having raif 'd me to look up, 
 
 In a cup 
 Sweetly he doth meet my tafte. 
 But I ftill being low and fhort, 
 
 Farre from court, 
 Wine becomes a wing at laft. 
 o 
 
194 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 For with it alone I flie 
 
 To the fkie : 
 
 Where I wipe mine eyes, and fee 
 
 What I feek for, what I fue ; 
 
 Him I view 
 
 Who hath done fo much for me. 
 
 Let the wonder of this pitie 
 
 Be my dittie, 
 
 And take up my lines and life : 
 
 Hearken under pain of death, 
 
 Hands and breath, 
 
 Strive in this, and love the ftrife. 
 
 The Poiie.* 
 
 LET wits conteft, 
 And with their words and pofies windows fill 
 Lefle than the leaft 
 Of all thy mercies, is my pofie ftill. 
 
 This on my ring, 
 This by my picture, in my book I write : 
 
 Whether I fing, 
 Or fay, or dictate, this is my delight. 
 
 Invention reft ; 
 Comparifons go play ; wit ufe thy will : 
 
 Lefle than the leaft 
 Of all God's mercies, is my pofie ftill. 
 
 * The motto. 
 
THE CHURCH. 195 
 
 A Parodie. 
 
 SOULS joy, when tnou art gone 
 And I alone, 
 Which cannot be, 
 Becaufe thou doft abide with me, 
 And I depend on thee y 
 
 Yet when thou doft fuppreffe 
 
 The cheerfulnefTe 
 
 Of thy abode, 
 And in my powers not ftirre abroad, 
 But leave me to my load : 
 
 O what a damp and fhade 
 
 Doth me invade ' 
 
 No ftormie night 
 Can (o afflict, or Co affright, 
 As thy eclipfed light. 
 
 Ah Lord ! do not withdraw, 
 
 Left want of aw 
 
 Make finne appeare ; 
 And when thou doft but fhine lefTe cleare, 
 Say, that thou art not here. 
 
 And then what life I have, 
 
 While Sinne doth rave, 
 And falfly boaft, 
 That I may feek, but thou art loft; 
 Thou and alone thou know'ft. 
 o 2 
 
196 Herbert's poems. 
 
 O what a deadly cold 
 
 Doth me infold ! 
 
 I half beleeve, 
 That Sinne fays true : but while I grieve 
 Thou com'ft and doft relieve. 
 
 The Elixer. 
 
 TEACH me, my God and King, 
 In all things thee to fee, 
 And what I do in any thing, 
 To do it as for thee : 
 
 Not rudely, as a beaft, 
 To runne into an action ; 
 But ftill to make thee prepofTeft, 
 And give it his perfection. 
 
 A man that looks on glafTe, 
 On it may flay his eye ; 
 Or if he pleafeth, through it paffe, 
 And then the heav'n efpie. 
 
 All may of thee partake : 
 Nothing can be fo mean, 
 Which with his tincture (for thy fake) 
 Will not grow bright and clean. 
 
 A fervant with this claufe 
 
 Makes drudgery divine : 
 Who fweeps a room, as for thy laws, 
 Makes that and th' action fine. 
 
THE CHURCH. 19- 
 
 This is the famous ftone 
 That turneth all to gold : 
 For that which God doth touch and own 
 Cannot for leffe be told. 
 
 A Wreath. 
 
 A WREATHED garland of deferved praife, 
 Of praife deferved, unto thee I give, 
 J give to thee, who knoweft all my wayes, 
 My crooked winding wayes, wherein I live, 
 Wherein I die, not live ; for life is ftraight, 
 Straight as a line, and ever tends to thee, 
 To thee, who art more farre above deceit, 
 Than deceit feems above fimplicitie. 
 Give me fimplicitie, that I may live, 
 So live and like, that I may know thy wayes, 
 Know them and practife them : then (hall I give 
 For this poore wreath, give thee a crown of praife. 
 
 Death. 
 
 DEATH, thou waft once an uncouth hideous 
 Nothing but bones, [thing, 
 
 The fad effect of ladder grones : 
 Thy mouth was open, but thou couldft not fing. 
 
 For we confider'd thee as at fome fix 
 
 Or ten years hence, 
 After the loffe of life and knk^ 
 Flefh being turn'd to duft, and bones to fticks. 
 
ig8 Herbert's poems. 
 
 We lookt on this fide of thee, {hooting fhort ; 
 Where we did finde 
 The fliels of fledge fouls left behinde, 
 Dry duft, which fheds no tears, but may extort. 
 
 But fince our Saviours death did put fome bloud 
 Into thy face ; 
 Thou art grown fair and full of grace, 
 Much in requeft, much fought for, as a good. 
 
 For we do now behold thee gay and glad, 
 As at dooms-day ; 
 When fouls mall wear their new aray. 
 And all thy bones with beautie (hall be clad. 
 
 Therefore we can go die as fleep, and truft 
 Half that we have 
 Unto an honeft faithfull grave ; 
 Making our pillows either down, or duft. 
 
 Dooms-day. 
 
 c 
 
 <OME away, 
 Make no delay. 
 Summon all the duft to rife, 
 Till it ftirre, and rubbe the eyes ; 
 While this member jogs the other, 
 Each one whifpring, Live you, brother ? 
 
 Come away, 
 Make this the day. 
 Duft, alas, no mufick feels, 
 But thy trumpet : then it kneels, 
 
 A 
 
THE CHURCH. igg 
 
 As peculiar notes and drains 
 Cure Tarantulaes raging pains. 
 
 Come away, 
 O make no ftay ! 
 Let the graves make their confeffion, 
 Left at length they plead pofleflion : 
 Flemes ftubbornnefle may have 
 Read that leflbn to the grave. 
 
 Come away, 
 Thy flock doth ilray. 
 Some to the windes their bodie lend, 
 And in them may drown a friend : 
 Some in noifome vapours grow 
 To a plague and publick wo. 
 
 Come away, 
 Help our decay. 
 Man is out of order hurl'd, 
 ParceFd out to all the world. 
 Lord, thy broken confort raife, 
 And the mufick fhall be praife. 
 
 Judgement. 
 
 ALMIGHTIE Judge, how fhall poore wretches 
 Thy dreadfull look, [brook 
 
 Able a heart of iron to appall, 
 
 When thou (halt call 
 For ev'ry mans peculiar book ? 
 
 What others mean to do, I know not well ; 
 Yet I heare tell, 
 
200 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 That fome will turn thee to fome leaves therein 
 So void of finne, 
 That they in merit mail excell. 
 
 But I refolve, when thou malt call for mine, 
 
 That to decline, 
 And thruft a Teftament into thy hand : 
 
 Let that be fcann'd. 
 There thou fhalt finde my faults are thine. 
 
 Heaven. 
 
 OWHO will fhow me thofe delights on high ? 
 Echo. r 
 
 Thou Echo, thou art mortall, all men know. 
 
 Echo. No. 
 
 Wert thou not born among the trees and leaves ? 
 
 Echo. Leaves. 
 
 And are there any leaves, that ftill abide ? 
 
 Echo. Bide. 
 
 What leaves are they ? impart the matter wholly. 
 
 Echo. Holy. 
 
 Are holy leaves the Echo then of bliffe ? 
 
 Echo. Yes. 
 
 Then tell me, what is that fupreme delight ? 
 
 Echo. Light. 
 
 Light to the minde : what mail the will enjoy ? 
 
 Echo. "Joy. 
 
 But are there cares and bufineffe with the pleafure ? 
 
 Echo. Leifure. 
 
 Light, joy, and leifure ; but (hall they perfever ? 
 
 Echo. Ever. 
 
THE CHURCH. 201 
 
 Love. 
 
 LOVE bade me welcome: yet my foul drew back, 
 Guiltie of duft and finne. 
 But quick-ey'd Love, obferving me grow flack 
 
 From my firft entrance in, 
 Drew nearer to me, fweetly quefrioning, 
 If I lack'd any thing. 
 
 A gueft, I anfwer'd, worthy to be here : 
 Love faid, you fhall be he. 
 
 I the unkinde, ungratefull ? Ah my deare, 
 I cannot look on thee. 
 
 Love took my hand, and fmiling did reply, 
 Who made the eyes but I ? 
 
 Truth Lord, but I have marr'd them : let my lhame 
 Go where it doth deferve. 
 
 And know you not, fayes Love, who bore the blame ? 
 My deare, then I will ferve. 
 
 You muft fit down, fayes Love, and tafte my meat : 
 So I did fit and eat. 
 
 
 
 GLORIE BE TO GOD ON HIGH, AND ON EARTH 
 PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN. 
 
 
 tV] ' 
 
202 
 
 THE CHURCH MILITANT. 
 
 ALMIGHTIE Lord, who from thy glorious throne 
 Seeft and ruleft all things ev'n as one : 
 The final] eft ant or atome knows thy power, 
 Known alfo to each minute of an houre : 
 Much more do Common-weals acknowledge thee, 
 And wrap their policies in thy decree, 
 Complying with thy counfels, doing nought 
 Which doth not meet with an eternall thought. 
 But above all, thy Church and Spoufe doth prove 
 Not the decrees of power, but bands of love. 
 Early didft thou arife to plant this vine, 
 Which might the more indeare it to be thine. 
 Spices come from the Eaft ; fo did thy Spoufe, 
 Trimme* as the light, fweet as the laden boughs 
 Of Noahs fhadie vine, chafte as the dove, 
 Prepar'd and fitted to receive thy love. 
 The courfe was weftward, that the funne might light 
 As well our underftanding, as our fight. 
 
 * A writer (Adversus Impia, 1670) fays: "The churches 
 progrefs is a marter-piece, limn'd to the life 5" and B. Oley juftly 
 remarks : " He that reads Mr. Herbert's Poems attendingiy, mail 
 find not only the excellencies of Scripture, divinity, and choice 
 palTages of the Fathers bound up in metre ; but the doclrine of 
 Rome alfo finely and ftrongly confuted, as in the poems, " To 
 Saints and Angels, 1 * The Britifh Church,' * Church Militant,' 
 &c." — Barnabas Oley, " Prefatory View," 1652. 
 

THE CHURCH MILITANT. 203 
 
 Where th' Ark did reft, there Abraham began 
 To bring the other Ark from Canaan. 
 Mofes purfu'd this : but King Solomon 
 Finifh'd and fixt the old religion. 
 When it grew loofe, the Jews did hope in vain 
 By nailing Chrift to faften it again. 
 But to the Gentiles he bore croffe and all, 
 Rending with earthquakes the partition-wall. 
 Onely whereas the Ark in glorie (hone, 
 Now with the croffe, as with a ftaffe, alone, 
 Religion, like a pilgrime, weftward bent, 
 Knocking at all doores, ever as me went. 
 Yet as the funne, though forward be his flight, 
 Liftens behinde him, and allows fome light, 
 Till all depart : fo went the Church her way, 
 Letting, while one foot ftept, the other ftay 
 Among the eaftern nations for a time, 
 Till both removed to the weftern clime. 
 To Egypt firft fhe came, where they did prove 
 Wonders of anger once, but now of love. 
 The ten Commandments there did flourifh more 
 Than the ten bitter plagues had done before. 
 Holy Macarius and great Anthonie 
 Made Pharaoh Mofes, changing th' hiftorie. 
 Gofhen was darkneffe, Egypt full of lights, 
 Nilus for monfters brought forth Ifraelites. 
 Such power hath mightie Baptifme to produce, 
 For things miffhapen, things of higheft ufe. 
 How deare to me, O God, thy counfels are ! 
 
 Who may with thee compare ? 
 Religion thence fled into Greece, where arts 
 Gave her the higheft place in all mens hearts. 
 Learning was pofd, Philofophie was fet, 
 Sophifters taken in a fifhers net. 
 Plato and Ariftotle were at a loffe, 
 And wheel' d about again to fpell Chrift -Croffe. 
 
204 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Prayers ch^Pd fyllogifmes into their den, 
 
 And Ergo was tranfform'd into Amen,. 
 
 Though Greece took horfe as foon as Egypt did, 
 
 And Rome as both ; yet Egypt fafter rid, 
 
 And fpent her period and prefixed time 
 
 Before the other. Greece being paft her prime, 
 
 Religion went to Rome, fubduing thofe, 
 
 Who, that they might fubdue, made all their foes. 
 
 The Warrier his deere fkarres no more refounds, 
 
 But feems to yeeld Chrift hath the greater wounds ; 
 
 Wounds willingly endur'd to work his blifTe, 
 
 Who by an ambuih loft his Paradife. 
 
 The great heart ftoops, and taketh from the duft 
 
 A fad repentance, not the fpoils of luft : 
 
 Quitting his fpear, left it mould pierce again 
 
 Him in his members, who for him was flain. 
 
 The Shepherds hook grew to a fcepter here, 
 
 Giving new names and numbers to the yeare. 
 
 But th' Empire dwelt in Greece, to comfort them, 
 
 Who were cut mort in Alexanders ftemme. 
 
 In both of thefe ProwefTe and Arts did tame 
 
 And tune mens hearts againft the Gofpel came : 
 
 Which ufing, and not fearing fkill in th' one, 
 
 Or ftrength in th' other, did erect her throne, 
 
 Many a rent and ftruggling th' Empire knew, 
 
 (As dying things are wont,) untill it flew 
 
 At length to Germanie, ftill weftward bending, 
 
 And there the Churches feftivall attending : 
 
 That as before Empire and Arts made way, 
 
 (For no leffe Harbingers would ferve then they) 
 
 So they might ftill, and point us out the place, 
 
 Where firft the Church fhould raife her down-caft face. 
 
 Strength levels grounds, Art makes a garden there ; 
 
 Then fhowres Religion, and makes all to bear. 
 
 Spain in the Empire fhar'd with Germanie, 
 
 But England in the higher vietorie ; 
 
THE CHURCH MILITANT. 205 
 
 Giving the Church a crown to keep her ftate, 
 And not go leffe than fhe had done of late. 
 Conftantines Britifh line meant this of old, 
 And did this myfterie wrap up and fold 
 Within a meet of paper, which was rent 
 From times great Chronicle, and hither fent. 
 Thus both the Church and Sunne together ran 
 Unto the fartheft old meridian. 
 How deare to me, O God, thy counfels are ! 
 
 Who may with thee compare 
 Much about one and the fame time and place, 
 Both where and when the Church began her race, 
 Sinne did fet out of Eaftern Babylon, 
 And traveird weftward alfo : journeying on 
 He chid the Church away, where e're he came, 
 Breaking her peace, and tainting her good name. 
 At firft he got to Egypt, and did fow 
 Gardens of gods, which ev'ry yeare did grow, 
 Frefh and fine deities. They were at great coft, 
 Who for a god clearely a fallet loft. 
 Ah, what a thing is man devoid of grace, 
 Adoring garlick with an humble face, 
 Begging his food of that which he may eat, 
 Starving the v/hile he worfhippeth his meat 
 Who makes a root his god, how low is he, 
 If God and man be fever'd infinitely ! 
 What wretchednefie can give him any room, 
 Whofe houfe is foul, while he adores his broom ? 
 None will beleeve this now, though money be 
 In us the fame tranfplanted foolerie. 
 Thus Sinne in Egypt fneaked for a while ; 
 His higheft was an ox or crocodile, 
 And fuch poore game. Thence he to Greece doth pafle, 
 And being craftier much then Goodneffe was, 
 He left behinde him garrifons of finnes, 
 To make good that which ev'ry day he winnes. 
 
206 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Here Sinne took heart, and for a garden-bed 
 
 Rich fhrines and oracles he purchafed : 
 
 He grew a gallant, and would needs foretell 
 
 As well what mould befall, as what befell. 
 
 Nay, he became a poet, and would ferve 
 
 His pills of fublimate in that conferve. 
 
 The v/orld came both with hands and purfes full 
 
 To this great lotterie, and all would pull. 
 
 But all was glorious cheating, brave deceit, 
 
 Where fome poore truths were muffled for a bait 
 
 To credit him, and to difcredit thofe, 
 
 Who after him mould braver truths difclofe. 
 
 From Greece he went to Rome : and as before 
 
 He was a God, now he's an Emperour. 
 
 Nero and others lodg'd him bravely there, 
 
 Put him in truft to rule the Romane fphere. 
 
 Glorie was his chief inftrument of old : 
 
 Pleafure fucceeded ftraight, when that grew cold : 
 
 Which foon was blown to fuch a mightie flame, 
 
 That though our Saviour did deftroy the game, 
 
 Difparking oracles, and all their treafure, 
 
 Setting affliction to encounter pleafure ; 
 
 Yet did a rogue with hope of carnall joy, 
 
 Cheat the moft fubtill nations. Who fo coy, 
 
 So trimme, as Greece and Egypt ? yet their hearts 
 
 Are given over, for their curious arts, 
 
 To fuch Mahometan ftupidities, 
 
 As the eld heathen would deem prodigies. 
 
 How deare to me, O God, thy counfels are ! 
 
 Who may thee compare ? 
 Onely the Weft and Rome do keep them free 
 From this contagious infidelitie. 
 And this is all the Rock, whereof they boaft, 
 As Rome will one day finde unto her coft. 
 Sinne being not able to extirpate quite 
 The Churches here, bravely refolv'd one night 
 

 THE CHURCH MILITANT. 207 
 
 To be a Church-man too, and wear a Mitre : 
 The old debauched ruffian would turn writer. 
 I faw him in his ftudie, where he fate 
 Bufie in controverfies fprung of late. 
 A gown and pen became him wondrous well : 
 His grave afpefl: had more of heav'n then hell : 
 Onely there was a handfome picture by, 
 To which he lent a corner of his eye. 
 As Sinne in Greece a Prophet was before, 
 And in old Rome a mightie Emperour ; 
 So now being Prieft he plainly did profelTe 
 To make a jeft of Chrifts three offices ; 
 The rather fince his fcatter'd jugglings were 
 United now in one both time and fphere. 
 From Egypt he took pettie deities, 
 From Greece oracular infallibilities, 
 And from old Rome the libertie of pleafure, 
 By free difpenfings of the Churches treafure. 
 Then in memoriall of his ancient throne, 
 He did furname his palace, Babylon. 
 Yet that he might the better gain all nations, 
 And make that name good by their tranfmigrations •, 
 From all thefe places, but at divers times, 
 He took fine vizards to conceal his crimes : 
 From Egypt Anchorifme and retiredneffe, 
 Learning from Greece, from old Rome ftatelinefs ; 
 And blending thefe, he carri'd all mens eyes, 
 While Truth fat by, counting his victories : 
 Whereby he grew apace and fcorn'd to ufe 
 Such force as once did captivate the Jews ; 
 But did bewitch, and finally work each nation 
 Into a voluntarie tranfmigration. 
 All pofte to Rome : Princes fubmit their necks 
 Either t' his publick foot, or private tricks. 
 It did not fit his gravitie to ilirre, 
 Nor his long journey, nor his gout and furre : 
 
208 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Therefore he fent out able minifters, 
 Statefmen within, without doores cloifterers ; 
 Who without fpear, or fword, or other drumme, 
 Than what was in their tongue, did overcome ; 
 And having conquer'd, did fo ftrangely rule, 
 That the whole world did feem but the Popes mule. 
 As new and old Rome did one Empire twift ; 
 So both together are one Antichrift : 
 Yet with two faces, as their Janus was, 
 Being in this their old crackt looking-glaffe. 
 How deare to me, O God, thy counfels are ! 
 Who may with thee compare ? 
 Thus Sinne triumphs in Weftern Babylon ; 
 Yet not as Sinne, but as Religion. 
 Of his two thrones he made the latter beft, 
 And to defray his journey from the eaft. 
 Old and new Babylon are to hell and night, 
 As is the moon and funne to heav'n and light. 
 When th' one did fet, the other did take place, 
 Confronting equally the law and grace. 
 They are hells land-marks, Satans double creft : 
 They are Sinnes nipples, feeding th ? eaft and weft. 
 But as in vice the copie ftill exceeds 
 The pattern, but not fo in vertuous deeds : 
 So though Sinne made his latter feat the better, 
 The latter Church is to the firft a debter. 
 The fecond Temple could not reach the firft : 
 And the late reformation never durft 
 Compare, with ancient times and purer yeares ; 
 But in the Jews and us deferveth tears. 
 Nay, it (hall ev'ry yeare decreafe and fade ; 
 Till fuch a darkneffe do the world invade 
 At Chrifts laft coming, as his firft did finde : 
 Yet muft there fuch proportions be aflign'd 
 To thefe diminiftiings, as is between 
 The fpacious world and Jurie to be feen. 
 
THE CHURCH MILITANT. 209 
 
 Religion flands on tip-toe in our land,* 
 
 Readie to pafTe to the American ftrand. 
 
 When height of malice, and prodigious lufts, 
 
 Impudent finning, witchcrafts, and diftrufts, 
 
 (The marks of future bane,) mail fill our cup 
 
 Unto the brimme, and make our meafure up ; 
 
 When Sein fhall fwallow Tiber, and the Thames 
 
 By letting in them both, pollutes her ftreams : 
 
 When Italie of us fhall have her will, 
 
 And all her calendar of finnes fulfill ; 
 
 Whereby one may foretell, what finnes next yeare 
 
 Shall both in France and England domineer : 
 
 Then mall Religion to America flee : 
 
 They have their times of Gofpel, ev'n as we. 
 
 My God, thou doft prepare for them a way, 
 
 By carrying firft their gold from them away: 
 
 For gold and grace did never yet agree : 
 
 Religion alwaies fides with povertie. 
 
 We think we rob them, but we think amiffe : 
 
 We are more poore, and they more rich by this. 
 
 Thou wilt revenge their quarrell, making grace 
 
 To pay our debts, and leave our ancient place 
 
 To go to them, while that, which now their nation 
 
 But lends to us, fhall be our defolation. 
 
 Yet as the Church fhall thither weftward flie, 
 
 So Sinne fhall trace and dog her inftantly: 
 
 * " When Mr. Ferrar fent this work to Cambridge to be 
 licenfed for the prefs, the Vice-Chancellor would by no means 
 allow the two fo much noted veries, ' Religion ltands on tip- toe, 1 
 &c, to be printed 5 and Mr. Ferrar would by no means allow the 
 book to be printed, and want thern 5 but after fometime, and 
 fume arguments for and againft, theic being made public, the 
 Vice-Chancellor laid, ' I knew Mr. Herbert well, and know that 
 he had many heavenly {peculations, and was a Divine poet 5 but 
 I hope the world will not take him to be an inipired prophet, and 
 therefore I licenfe the whole book." — Isaak Walton. 
 
210 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 They have their period alfo and fet times 
 
 Both for their vertuous actions, and their crimes. 
 
 And where of old the Empire and the Arts 
 
 Ufher'd the Gofpel ever in mens hearts, 
 
 Spain hath done one ; when Arts perform the other, 
 
 The Church mail come, and Sinne the Church mall 
 
 fmother : 
 That when they have accomplished the round, 
 And met in th' eaft their firft and ancient found, 
 Judgement may meet them both, and fearch them 
 
 round. 
 Thus do both lights, as well in Church as Sunne, 
 Light one another, and together runne. 
 Thus alfo Sinne and Darkneffe follow ftill 
 The Church and Sunne with all their power and fkill. 
 But as the Sunne ftill goes both weft and eaft : 
 So alfo did the Church by going weft 
 Still eaftward go ; becaufe it drew more neare 
 To time and place, where judgement fhall appeare. 
 How deare to me, O God, thy counfels are ! 
 Who may with thee compare ? 
 
 L'Envoy. 
 
 KING of glorie, King of peace, 
 With the one make warre to ceafe ; 
 With the other blefle thy fheep, 
 Thee to love, in thee to fleep. 
 Let not Sinne devoure thy fold, 
 Bragging that thy bloud is cold ; 
 That thy death is alfo dead, 
 While his conquefts dayly fpread ; 
 
THE CHURCH MILITANT. 21 I 
 
 That thy flefh hath loft his food, 
 And thy Croffe is common wood. 
 Choke him, let him fay no more, 
 But referve his breath in ftore, 
 Till thy conqueft and his fall 
 Make his fighs to ufe it all ; 
 And then bargain with the winde 
 To difcharge what is behinde. 
 
 Bleffed be God alone, 
 Thrice bleffed Three in One 
 
 r 2 
 
 
MISCELLANEOUS POEMS. 
 
 
 
 A Sonnet. 
 
 SENT BY GEORGE HERBERT TO HIS MOTHER AS A 
 NEW YEAR'S GIFT FROM CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 MY God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, 
 Wherewith whole fhoals of martyrs once did 
 burn, 
 Befides their other flames ? Doth poetrie 
 
 Wear Venus' liverie ? onely ferve her turn ? 
 Why are not fonnets made of thee ? and layes 
 
 Upon thine altar burnt ? Cannot thy love 
 Heighten a fpirit to found out thy praife 
 
 As 'well as any me ? Cannot thy Dove 
 Outftrip their Cupid eafilie in flight ? 
 
 Or, fince thy wayes are deep, and ftill the fame, 
 
 Will not a verfe runne fmooth that bears thy name ! 
 Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might 
 
 Each breaft does feel, no braver fuel choofe 
 
 Then that, which one day, worms may chance refufe. 
 Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to drie 
 
 Oceans of ink ; for, as the Deluge did 
 Cover the Earth, fo doth thy Majeftie : 
 
 Each cloud diftills thy praife, and doth forbid 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 213 
 
 Poets to turn it to another ufe. 
 
 Rofes and lilies (peak thee ; and to make 
 A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abufe. 
 
 Why mould I womens eyes for cryftal take ? 
 Such poor invention burns in their low minde 
 
 Whofe fire is wild, and doth not upward go 
 
 To praife, and on thee, Lord, fome ink befrow. 
 Open the bones, and you mail nothing finde 
 In the heft face but filth ; when Lord, in thee 
 The beauty lies in the difcoverie. 
 
 Infcription* 
 
 IN THE PARSONAGE, BEMERTON. 
 TO MY SUCCESSOR. 
 
 IF thou chance for to find 
 A new Houfe to thy mind 
 And built without thy Coft : 
 Be good to the Poor, 
 As God gives thee ftore, 
 And then, my Labours not loft. 
 
 On Lord Danvers. + 
 
 QACRED marble, fafely keep 
 
 j^ His duft, who under thee muft fleep, 
 
 * This infeription is, I believe, not now to be found at Be- 
 in erton. 
 
 f When Herbert fought change of air for his declining health, 
 "his remove was to Dauntiey in Wiltfhire, a noble hou.e which 
 
214 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Until the yeares again reftore 
 
 Their dead, and time fhall be no more. 
 
 Mean while, if he (which all things wears), 
 
 Does ruin thee, or if thy tears 
 
 Are fried for him ; diffolve thy frame, 
 
 Thou art requited : for his fame, 
 
 His vertue, and his worth fhall be 
 
 Another monument to thee. 
 
 ■ftands in a choice air ; in which Lord Danvers, (created Earl of 
 Danby by Charles I.) allowed him fuch an apartment as might 
 beft iuit with his accommodation and liking." Lord Danvers 
 died in 1673, thus outliving his p^negyrift more than forty years. 
 

 A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 
 
 OR 
 
 THE COUNTRY PARSON, 
 
 HIS CHARACTER, AND RULE OF HOLY LIFE. 
 [FIRST PRINTED IN 1652.] 
 
The Author to the Reader. 
 
 BEING defirous (through the Mercy of God) to 
 pleafe Him, for whom I am, and live, and who 
 giveth me my Defires and Performances ; and con- 
 sidering with myfelf, That the way to pleafe him, is to 
 feed my Flock diligently and faithfully, fince our Saviour 
 hath made that the argument of a Paftor's love, I have 
 refolved to fet down the Form and Character of a true 
 Paftor, that I may have a Mark to aim at : which alfo 
 I will fet as high as I can, fince he moots higher that 
 threatens the Moon, than he that aims at a Tree. Not 
 that I think, if a man do not all which is here expreffed, 
 he prefently fins, and difpleafes God, but that it is a 
 good ftrife to go as far as we can in pleafing him, who 
 hath done fo much for us. The Lord profper the in- 
 tention to myfelf, and others, who may not defpife my 
 poor labours, but add to thofe points which I have ob- 
 ferved, until the Book grow to a complete Paftoral. 
 
 Geo. Herbert. 
 1632. 
 
PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 
 
 Chap. I. 
 
 OF A PASTOR. 
 
 A PASTOR is the Deputy of Chrift for the re- 
 ducing of Man to the Obedience of God. This 
 definition is evident, and contains the direct fteps of 
 Paftoral Duty and Authority. For firft, Man fell from 
 God by Difobedience. Secondly, Chrift is the glorious 
 inftrument of God for the revoking of Man. Thirdly, 
 Chrift being not to continue on earth, but after he had 
 fulfilled the work of Reconciliation, to be received up 
 into heaven, he conftituted Deputies in his place, and 
 thefe are Priefts. And therefore St. Paul in the be- 
 ginning of his Epiftles, profefleth this : and in the firft 
 to the Coloflians* plainly avoucheth that he fills up that 
 which is behind of the afflictions of Chrift in his flefh, 
 for his Body's fake, which is the church, wherein is con- 
 tained the complete definition of a Minifter. Out of 
 this Charter of the Priefthood may be plainly gathered 
 
 * Chap. i. 24. 
 
2i 8 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 both the Dignity thereof, and the Duty: The Dignity,* 
 in that a Prieft may do that which Chrift did, and by 
 his authority, and as his Vicegerent. The Duty, in that 
 a Prieft is to do that which Chrift did, and after his 
 manner, both for Doctrine and Life. 
 
 Chap. II. 
 
 THEIR DIVERSITIES. 
 
 OF Paftors (intending mine own Nation only, and 
 alfo therein fetting afide the Reverend Prelates of 
 the Church, to whom this difcourfe arifeth not) fome 
 live in the univerfities, fome in Noble houfes, fome in 
 Parifhes refiding on their Cures. Of thofe that live in 
 the Univerfities, fome live there in office, whofe rule 
 is that of the Apoftle : Romans, xii. 6. " Having 
 gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, 
 whether prophecy, let us prophefy according to the 
 proportion of faith ; or miniftry, let us wait on our 
 miniftering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching, &c, 
 he that ruleth let him do it with diligence, &c." 
 Some in a preparatory way, whofe aim and labour muft 
 be not only to get knowledge, but to fubdue and 
 mortify all lufts and affections : and not to think, that 
 when they have read the fathers, or Schoolmen, a 
 
 * " To a court-friend who diffuaded Herbert from entering into 
 facred orders, as too mean an employment, and too much below 
 his birth, he replied : — i It hath been formerly adjudged that the 
 domeftic fervants of the King of Heaven mould be of the nobleft 
 furniture on earth ; and though the iniquities of the late times 
 have made clergymen meanly valued, and the facred name of 
 prieft contemptible, yet I will labour to make it honourable, by 
 confecrating all my learning, and all my poor ability, to advance 
 the glory of that God that gave them.' " — Isaak Walton. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2IO, 
 
 Minifter is made, and the thing done. The greateft 
 and hardeft preparation is within : For unto the 
 godly, faith God, " Why doft thou preach my laws, 
 and takeft my covenant in thy mouth ?" Pfalm i. 16. 
 Thofe that live in Noble Houfes are called Chaplains, 
 whofe duty and obligation being the fame to the Houfes 
 they live in, as a Parfon's to his Parifh, in defcribing 
 the one (which is indeed the bent of my Difcourfe) 
 the other will be manifeft. Let not Chaplains think 
 themfelves fo free, as many of them do, and becaufe 
 they have different Names, think their Office differ- 
 ent. Doubtlefs they are Parfons of the families they 
 live in, and are entertained to that end, either by 
 an open, or implicit Covenant. Before they are in 
 Orders, they may be received for Companions, or 
 difcourfers ; but after a man is once Minifter, he 
 cannot agree to come into any houfe, where he fhall 
 not exercife what he is, unlefs he forfake his plough, 
 and look back. Wherefore they are not to be over- 
 fubmiffive, and bafe, but to keep up with the Lord 
 and Lady of the houfe, and to preferve a boldnefs with 
 them and all, even fo far as reproof to their very face, 
 when occafion calls, but feafonably and difcreetly. 
 They who do not thus, while they remember their 
 earthly lord, do much forget their heavenly ; they 
 wrong the Priefthood, neglect their duty, and fhall be 
 fo far from that which they feek with their over- 
 fubmiflivenefs, and cringing, that they fhall ever be 
 defpifed.* They who for the hope of promotion 
 
 * " If it be objected that the poverty of fome of the clergy 
 forces them to fupprefs their fentiments in fome things, and to 
 iuffer whatever an encroaching temper fhall think fit to put upon 
 them, — to this I arifwer : that the temptation to this fin ought to 
 have been prevented before their going into holy orders ; for 
 thofe who cannot be fupplied with a competent fortune by them- 
 felves, their relations, or at leaft by fome creditable independent 
 
220 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 neglect any neceffary admonition, or reproof, fell 
 (with Judas) their Lord and Mailer. 
 
 Chap. III. 
 
 THE PARSON'S LIFE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is exceeding exact in his Life, 
 being holy, juft, prudent, temperate, bold, grave, 
 in all his ways. And becaufe the two higheft points 
 of Life, wherein a Chriftian is moft feen, are Patience, 
 and Mortification ; Patience in regard of afflictions, 
 Mortification in regard of lufts and affections, and the 
 ftupifying and deading of all the clamorous powers of 
 the foul, therefore he hath thoroughly ftudied thefe, 
 that he may be an abfolute Mafter and Commander of 
 himfelf, for all the purpofes which God hath ordained 
 him. Yet in thefe points he labours moft in thofe 
 things which are moft apt to fcandalize his Parifh. 
 And firft, becaufe Country people live hardly, and 
 
 preferment, had much better choofe fome other inferior employ- 
 ment, than expofe themfelves to fuch apparent danger in this. 
 And as for thofe (if there be any fuch), who do not difcharge 
 their office with that plainnefs and difcreetly-managed refolution 
 which God and the church expects from them, it will not be 
 improper to remind them of what Mr. Herbert hath written, 
 (' Country Parfon 1 ) where he tells us : ' that fuch perfons wrong 
 the priefthood, neglect their duty, and mall be fo far from that 
 which they leek by their over-iubmiflivenefs and cringing, that 
 they mail ever be defpifed/ Indeed, they have no reafon to expect 
 any better ufage 5 for as flattery is defervedly accounted one of 
 the moft contemptible vices, fo a clergyman, when he is guilty of 
 it, is the worft of flatterers." — Jeremy Collier, Eflays, 3rd 
 edition, 1698, p. 236. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 221 
 
 therefore as feeling their own fweat, and confcqucntly 
 knowing the price of money, are offended much with 
 any, who by hard ufage increafe their travail, the 
 Country Parfon is very circumfpecSt in avoiding all 
 covetoufnefs, neither being greedy to get, nor niggardly 
 to keep, nor troubled to lofe any worldly wealth ; but 
 in all his words and actions flighting, and difcfteeming 
 it, even to a wondering, that the world mould fo much 
 value wealth, which in the day of wrath hath not one 
 dram of comfort for us. Secondly, becaufe Luxury is 
 a very vifible fin, the Parfon is very careful to avoid 
 all the kinds thereof, but efpecially that of drinking, 
 becaufe it is the mod popular vice ; into which if he 
 come, he proftitutes himfelf both to fhame, and fin, and 
 by having fellowfhip with the unfruitful works of darknefs, 
 he difableth him elf of authority to reprove them : For 
 fins make all equal, whom they find together ; and 
 then they are worft, who ought to be beft. Neither is 
 it for the fervant of Chrift to haunt Inns, or Taverns, 
 or Alehoufes, to the difhonour of his Perfon and Office. 
 The Parfon doth not fo, but orders his Life in fuch a 
 fafhion, that when death takes him, as the Jews and 
 Judas did Chrift, he may fay as He did, " I fat daily 
 with you teaching in the Temple." Thirdly, becaufe 
 Country people (as indeed all honeft men) do much 
 efteem their word, it being the Life of buying and 
 felling, and dealing in the world ; therefore the Parfon 
 is very Uriel: in keeping his word, though it be to his 
 own hinderance, as knowing, that if he be not fo, he 
 will quickly be difcovered and difregarded : neither will 
 they believe him in the Pulpit, whom they cannot truft 
 in his Converfation. As for oaths, and apparel, the 
 diforders thereof are alfo very manifeft. The Parfon's 
 yea is yea, and nay, nay ; and his apparel plain, but 
 reverend and clean, without fpots, or duft, or fmell ; 
 the purity of his mind breaking out, and dilating itfelf 
 even to his body, clothes, and habitation. 
 
222 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 Chap. IV.* 
 
 THE PARSON'S KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is full of all Knowledge. 
 They fay, it is an ill Mafon that refufeth any 
 ftone : and there is no knowledge, but, in a fkilful 
 hand, ferves either pofitively as it is, or elfe to illuftrate 
 fome other knowledge. He condefcends even to the 
 knowledge of tillage, and pafturage, and makes great 
 ufe of them in teaching, becaufe people, by what they 
 underftand, are beft led to what they underftand not. 
 But the chief and top of his knowledge confifts in the 
 book of books, the ftorehoufe, and magazine of life 
 and comfort, the Holy Scriptures, There he fucks, and 
 lives. In the Scriptures he finds four things ; Precepts 
 for life, Doctrines for knowledge, Examples for illuf- 
 tration, and Promifes for comfort : thefe he hath di- 
 gefted feverally. But for the underftanding of thefe ; the 
 means he ufeth are firft, a holy life, remembering what 
 his Mafter faith, that " if any do God's will, he mall 
 know of the doctrine," John vii, and affuring himfelf, 
 that wicked men, however learned, do not know the 
 Scriptures, becaufe they feel them not, and becaufe 
 they are not underftood but with the fame Spirit that 
 writ them. The fecond means is prayer, which if it 
 be neceflary even in temporal things, how much more 
 •in things of another world, where the well is deep, and 
 we have nothing of ourfelves to draw with ? Where- 
 fore he ever begins the reading of the Scripture with 
 fome fhort inward ejaculation, as, " Lord open mine 
 
 * u Be covetous of all good which you fee in Frenchmen, 
 whether it be in knowledge, or in words. Let there be no kind 
 of" excellency which it is pollible for you to attain to, which you 
 feek not." — Herbert to his brother at Paris. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 22J 
 
 eyes, that I may fee the wondrous things of thy law, 
 &c."* The third means is a diligent Collation of 
 Scripture with Scripture. For all truth being confonant 
 to itfelf, and all being penned by one and the felf-fame 
 Spirit, it cannot be, but that an indufrrious, and judi- 
 cious comparing of place with place, muft be a Angu- 
 lar help for the right underftanding of the Scriptures. 
 To this may be added the confideration of any Text 
 with the coherence thereof, touching what goes before, 
 and what follows after, as alfo the .fcope of the Holy 
 Ghoft. When the Apoftles would have called down 
 lire from Heaven, they were reproved, as ignorant of 
 what fpirit they were. For the Law required one 
 thing, and the Gofpel another : yet as diverfe, not as 
 repugnant : therefore the fpirit of both is to be con- 
 fiderea, and weighed. The fourth means are Com- 
 menters and Fathers, who have handled the places 
 controverted, which the Parfon by no means refufeth. 
 As he doth not fo ftudy others, as to neglect the 
 grace of God in himfelf, and what the Holy Spirit 
 teacheth him ; fo doth he allure himfelf, that God in 
 all ages hath had his Servants, to whom he hath 
 revealed his Truth, as well as to him ; and that as one 
 Country doth not bear all things, that there may be 
 a Commerce ; fo neither hath God opened, or will 
 open all to one, that there may be a traffic in know- 
 ledge between the fervants of God, for the planting 
 both of love and humility. Wherefore he hath one 
 Comment at leaft upon every Book of Scripture, and 
 ploughing with this, and his own meditations, he 
 enters into the fecrets of God treafured in the holy 
 Scripture. 
 
 # Pfalm cxix. 18. 
 
224- HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 Chap. V. 
 
 THE PARSON'S ACCESSORY 
 KNOWLEDGES. 
 
 THE Country Parfon hath read the Fathers alfo, 
 and the Schoolmen, and the later Writers, or a 
 good proportion of all,* out of all which he hath com- 
 piled a Book and Body of Divinity, which is the 
 ftorehoufe of his Sermons, and which he preacheth all 
 his Life ; but diverfely clothed, illuftrated, and enlarged. 
 For though the world is full of fuch compofures, yet 
 every man's own is fitteft, readieft, and moft favoury 
 to him. Befides, this being to be done in his younger 
 and preparatory times, it is an honeft joy ever after to 
 look upon his well-fpent hours. This Body he made 
 by way of expounding the Church Catechifm, to which 
 all Divinity may eafily be reduced. For it being indif- 
 ferent in itfelf to choofe any Method, that is beft to be 
 chofen, of which there is likelier! to be moft ufe. Now 
 Catechizing being a work of fingular and admirable 
 benefit to the Church of God, and a thing required 
 under Canonical obedience, the expounding of our 
 Catechifm muft needs be the moft ufeful form. Yet 
 hath the Parfon, befides this laborious work, a {lighter 
 form of Catechizing, fitter for Country people ; 
 according as his audience is, fo he ufeth one, or other ; 
 or fometimes both, if his audience be intermixed. He 
 
 * " Woe be to him that reads but one book"" — Herbert's 
 Proverbs. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 225 
 
 greatly cftccms alfo of cafes of conference,* wherein 
 he is much verfed. And indeed, herein is the greateft 
 ability of a Parfon, to lead his people exactly in the 
 ways of Truth, fo that they neither decline to the 
 right hand nor to the left. Neither let any think this 
 a flight thing. For every one hath not digefted, when 
 it is a fin to take fomething for money lent, or when 
 not ; when it is a fault to difcover another's fault, or 
 when not ; when the affections of the foul in defiring 
 and procuring increafe of means, or honour, be a fin 
 of covetoufnefs or ambition, and when not ; when the 
 appetites of the body in eating, drinking, fleep, and the 
 pleafure that comes with fleep, be fins of gluttony, 
 drunkennefs, floth, luft, and when not, and fo in many 
 circumftances of actions. Now if a fhepherd know 
 not which grafs will bane, or which not, how is he 
 fit to be a fhepherd ? Wherefore the Parfon hath 
 thoroughly canvaffed all the particulars of human ac- 
 tions, at leaf! all thofe which he obferveth are moft 
 incident to his Parifh. 
 
 * Herbert writes in the temper of that age in which Bifhop 
 Taylor's great work, the " Duftor Dubitantum," or Guide of the 
 Doubting," appeared j but Heber has remarked : — " I have 
 myielf had fufficient experience of what are generally called 
 lcruples, to be convinced that the greater proportion of thole 
 which are fubmitted to a fpiritual guide, are nothing more than 
 artifices by which men feek to gratify themfelves in what they 
 know to be wrong j and I am convinced that the moft efficacious 
 manner of eafing a doubtful confeience is, for the moft part, to 
 recall the profeifed penitent from diftinclions to generals ; from 
 the peculiarities of his private concerns to the fimple words of the 
 commandment. If we are too curious, we only muddy the 
 ttream ; but the cleared truth is, in morals, always on the furrace." 
 — Life of Taylor, p. 269. 
 
226 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Chap. VI. 
 
 THE PARSON PRAYING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon when he is to read divine 
 lei vices, compofeth himfelf to all potfible reve- 
 rence ; lifting up his heart and hands and eyes, and 
 ufing all other geftures, which may exprefs a hearty, 
 and unfeigned devotion. This he doth, Firft, as being 
 truly touched and amazed with the Majefty of God, 
 before whom he then prefents himfelf; yet not as him- 
 felf alone, but as prefenting with himfelf the whole 
 Congregation ; whofe fins he then bears, and brings 
 with his own to the heavenly Altar to be bathed, and 
 warned in the facred Laver of Chrift's blood. Se- 
 condly, as this is the true reafon of his inward fear, fo 
 he is content to exprefs this outwardly to the utmoft 
 of his power ; that being at firft affected himfelf, he 
 may affect: alfo his people, knowing that no Sermon 
 moves them fo much to reverence, which they forget 
 again, when they come to pray, as a devout behaviour 
 in the very act of praying. Accordingly his voice is 
 humble, his words treatable, and flow ; yet not fo flow 
 neither, as to let the fervency of thefupplicant hang and 
 die between fpeaking, but with a grave livelinefs, be- 
 tween fear and zeal, paufing yet prefling, he performs 
 his duty. Befides his example, he having often in- 
 ftructed his people how to carry themfelves in divine 
 fervice, exacts of them all pomble reverence, by no 
 means enduring either talking, or fleeping, or gazing, 
 or leaning, or half-kneeling, or any undutiful behaviour 
 in them, but caufing them, when they fit, or ftand, or 
 kneel, to do all in a ftraight, and fteady pofture, as 
 attending to what is done in the Church, and every 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 22J 
 
 one, man and child, anfwering aloud both Amen, and 
 all other anfwers, which are on the Clerk's and People's 
 part to anfwer ; which anfwers alfo are to be done not 
 in a huddling, or flubbering fafhion, gaping, or Scratch- 
 ing the head, or fpitting even in the midfl of their 
 anfwer, but gently and paufably, thinking what they 
 fay ; fo that while they anfwer, " As it was in the 
 beginning, &c." they meditate as they fpeak, that God 
 hath ever had his people, that have glorified him as 
 well as now, and that he fhall have fo for ever. And 
 the like in, other anfwers. This is that which the 
 Apoftle calls a reafonable fervice, Romans xii., when 
 we fpeak not as Parrots, without reafon, or offer up 
 fuch facrifices as they did of old, which was of beafts 
 devoid of reafon ; but when we ufe our reafon, and 
 apply our powers to the fervice of Him that gives 
 them. If there be any of the Gentry or Nobility of 
 the parifh, who fometimes make it a piece of ftate not 
 to come at the beginning of fervice with their poor 
 neighbours, but at mid-prayers, both to their own lofs 
 and of theirs alfo who gaze upon them when they come 
 in, and neglect the prefent fervice of God, he by no 
 means fuffers it, but after divers gentle admonitions, 
 if they perfevere, he caufes them to be prefented : or if 
 the poor Churchwardens be affrighted with their great- 
 nefs, notwithftanding his inftrufiion that they ought 
 not to be fo, but even to let the world fink, fo they do 
 their duty, he prefents them himfelf ; only protefting 
 to them, that not any ill-will draws him to it, but the 
 debt and obligation of his calling, being to obey God 
 rather than men. 
 
 <^2 
 
228 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Chap. VII. 
 
 THE PARSON PREACHING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon preacheth constantly, the 
 Pulpit is his joy and his throne : if he at any time 
 intermit, it is either for want of health, or againft fome 
 great feftival, that he may the better celebrate it, or 
 for the variety of the hearers, that he may be heard at 
 his return more attentively. When he intermits, he is 
 ever very well fupplied by fome able man, who treads 
 in his fteps, and will not throw down what he hath 
 built ; whom alfo he entreats to prefs fome point, that 
 he himfelf hath often urged with no great fuccefs, that 
 fo, in the mouth of two or three witneiTes the truth 
 may be more eftablifhed. When he preacheth, he 
 procures attention by all poffible art, both by earneft- 
 nefs of fpeech, it being natural to men to think, that 
 where is much earneftness, there is fomewhat worth 
 hearing : and by a diligent and bufy caft of his eye on 
 his auditors, with letting them know that he obferves 
 who marks, and who not ; and with particularizing of 
 his fpeech now to the younger fort, then to the elder, 
 now to the poor, and now to the rich. This is for you, 
 and This is for you \ for particulars ever touch, and 
 awake more than generals. Herein alfo he ferves him- 
 felf of the judgments of God, as of thofe of ancient 
 times, fo efpecially of the late ones ; and thofe moll: 
 which are neareft to his Parifh ; for people are very 
 attentive at fuch difcourfes, and think it behoves them 
 to be fo, when God is fo near them, and even over their 
 heads. Sometimes he tells them ftories, and fayings 
 of others, according as his text invites him ; for them 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 229 
 
 alfo men heed, and remember better than exhortations ; 
 which though earned, yet often die with the Sermon, 
 especially with Country people ; which are thick, and 
 heavy, and hard to raife to a point of Zeal, and fer- 
 vency, and need a mountain of fire to kindle them ; 
 but ftories and fayings they will well remember. He 
 often tells them, that Sermons are dangerous things, 
 that none goes out of Church as he came in, but either 
 better or worfe ; that none is carelefs before his Judge, 
 and that the Word of God mail judge us. By thefe 
 and other means the Parfon procures attention ; but 
 the character of his fermon is Holinefs ; he is not 
 witty, or learned, or eloquent, but Holy. A character 
 that Hermogenes never dreamed of, and therefore he 
 could give no precept thereof. But it is gained Firft, 
 by choofing Texts of Devotion, not Controverfy, 
 moving and ravifhing Texts, whereof the Scriptures 
 are full. Secondly, by dipping and feafoning all our 
 words and fentences in our hearts, before they come 
 into our mouths, truly affecting and cordially exprefftng 
 all that we fay ; fo that the auditors may plainly per- 
 ceive that every word is heart-deep. Thirdly, by 
 turning often, and making many Apoftrophes to God, 
 as, O Lord, blefs my people and teach them this point ; 
 or, O my Mafter, on whofe errand I come, let me 
 hold my peace, and do thou fpeak thyfelf : for thou art 
 Love, and when thou teacheft, all are Scholars. Some 
 fuch irradiations fcatteringly in the Sermon, carry great 
 holinefs in them. The Prophets are admirable in this. 
 So Ifaiah lxiv. " O that thou wouldft rend the Heavens, 
 that thou wouldft come down," &c. And Jeremiah x. 
 after he had complained of the defolation of Ifrael, 
 turns to God fuddenly, " O Lord, I know that the way 
 of man is not in himfelf," &c. Fourthly, by frequent 
 wifhes of the people's good, and joying therein, though 
 he himfelf were with St. Paul even facriflced upon the 
 
230 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 fervice of their faith. For there is no greater fign of 
 holinefs, than the procuring and rejoicing in another's 
 good. And herein St. Paul excelled in all his Epiftles. 
 How did he put the Romans in all his prayers ? Rom. 
 i. 9. And ceafed not to give thanks for the Ephefians, 
 Eph. i. 16. And for the Corinthians, chap. i. 4. 
 And for the Philippians made requeft with joy, 
 chap. i. 4. And is in contention for them, whether to 
 live or die ; be with them, or Chrift, verfe 23, which, 
 fetting afide his care of his flock, were a madnefs to 
 doubt of. What an admirable Epiftle is the fecond to 
 the Corinthians ! how full of affections ! he joys, and 
 he is forry, he grieves, and he glories ; never was there 
 fuch care of a flock expreffed, fave in the great Shep- 
 herd of the fold, who firft fried tears over Jerufalem, 
 and afterwards blood. Therefore this care may be 
 learned there, and then woven into Sermons, which 
 will make them appear exceeding reverend, and holy. 
 Laftly, by an often urging of the prefence, and majefty 
 of God, by thefe, or fuch like fpeeches, — Oh let us all 
 take heed what we do ! God fees us, he fees whether 
 I fpeak as I ought, or you hear as you ought, he fees 
 hearts as we fee faces : he is among us ; for if we be 
 here, he muft be here, fince we are here by him, and 
 without him could not be here. Then turning the 
 difcourfe to his Majefty, And he is a great God, 
 and terrible, as great in mercy, fo great in judg- 
 ment. There are but two devouring elements, 
 fire and water, he hath both in him : " His voice 
 is as the found of many waters," Revelation i. 
 And " He himfelf is a confuming fire," Hebrews, xii. 
 Such difcourfes fhow very holy. The Parfon's Method 
 in handling of a Text, confifts of two parts : Firft, a 
 plain and evident declaration of the meaning of the 
 Text ; and fecondly, fome choice Obfervations drawn 
 out of the whole Text, as it lies entire, and unbroken 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 23 1 
 
 in the Scripture itfelf. This he thinks natural, and 
 fweet, and grave. Whereas the other way of crumb- 
 ling a Text into fmall parts, as, the Perfon fpeaking, 
 or fpoken to, the fubject, and object, and the like, hath 
 neither in it fweetnefs, nor gravity, nor variety, fince 
 the words apart are not Scripture, but a Dictionarv, 
 and may be confidered alike in all the Scripture. The 
 Parfon exceeds not an hour in preaching, becaufe all 
 ages have thought that a competency, and he that 
 profits not in that time, will lefs afterwards, the fame 
 affection which made him not profit before, making 
 him then weary, and fo he grows from not reliihing, to 
 loathing. 
 
 Chap. VIII. 
 
 THE PARSON ON SUNDAYS. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, as foon as he awakes on 
 Sunday morning, prefently falls to work, and 
 feems to himfelf fo as a Market-man is, when the 
 Market-day comes, or a fhop-keeper, when cuftomers 
 come in. His thoughts are full of making the beft of 
 the day, and contriving it to his bell: gains. To this 
 end, befides his ordinary prayers, he makes a peculiar 
 one for a blefling on the exercifes of the day. That 
 nothing befall him unworthy of that Majefty, before 
 which he is to prefent himfelf, but that all may be 
 done with reverence to his glory, and with edification 
 to his flock, humbly befeeching his Mailer, that how 
 or whenever he punifh him, it be not in his Miniftry : 
 then he turns to requeft for his people, that the Lord 
 would be pleafed to fanctify them all, that they may 
 
232 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 come with holy hearts, and awful minds into the Con- 
 gregation, and that the good God would pardon all 
 thofe who come with lefs prepared hearts than they 
 ought. This done, he fets himfelf to the Confederation 
 of the duties of the day, and if there be any extraor- 
 dinary addition to the cuftomary exerciies, either from 
 the time of the year, or from the State, or from God, 
 by a child born, or dead, or any other accident, he 
 contrives how and in what manner to induce it to the 
 beft advantage. Afterwards when the hour calls, with 
 his family attending him, he goes to church, at his firft 
 entrance humbly adoring and worshipping the invifible 
 majefty and prefence of Almighty God, and blefling 
 the people either openly, or to himfelf. Then having 
 read Divine Service twice fully, and preached in the 
 morning, and catechized in the afternoon, he thinks 
 he hath in fome meafure, according to poor and frail 
 man, difcharged the public duties of the congregation. 
 The reft of the day he fpends either in reconciling 
 neighbours that are at variance, or in vifiting the fick, 
 or in exhortations to fome of his flock by themfelves, 
 whom his Sermons cannot, or do not reach. And 
 every one is more awaked, when we come, and fay ; 
 Thou art the man. This way he finds exceeding 
 ufeful, and winning ; and thefe exhortations he calls 
 his privy purfe, even as Princes have theirs, befides 
 their public difburfements. At night he thinks it a 
 very fit time, both fuitable to the joy of the day, and 
 without hinderance to public duties, either to entertain 
 fome of his neighbours or to be entertained of them, 
 where he takes occafion to difcourfe of fuch things, as 
 are both profitable and pleafant, and to raife up their 
 minds to apprehend God's good blefling to our church 
 and ftate ; that order is kept in the one, and peace in 
 the other, without difturbance, or interruption of 
 public divine offices. As he opened the day with 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 233 
 
 prayer, fo he clofeth it, humbly befeeching the Almighty 
 
 to pardon and accept our poor fervices, and to improve 
 them, that we may grow therein, and that our feet 
 may be like hind's feet, ever climbing up higher and 
 higher unto him. 
 
 Chap. IX. 
 
 THE PARSON'S STATE OF LIFE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon confidering that virginity is 
 a higher ftate than Matrimony, and that the 
 Miniftry requires the beft and higheft things, is rather 
 unmarried than married. But yet as the temper of his 
 body may be, or as the temper of his Parifh may be, 
 where he may have occafion to converfe with women, 
 and that among fufpicious men, and other like circum- 
 flances confidered, he is rather married than unmarried. 
 Let him communicate the thing often by prayer unto 
 God, and as his grace mail direct him, fo let him 
 proceed. If he be unmarried, and keep houfe, he hath 
 not a woman in his houfe, but finds opportunities of 
 having his meat dreffed and other fervices done by 
 men-fervants at home, and his linen warned abroad. 
 If he be unmarried, and fojourn, he never talks with 
 any woman alone, but in the audience of others, and 
 that feldom, and then alfo in a ferious manner, never 
 jeftingly, or fportfully. He is very circumfpedt in all 
 companies, both of his behaviour, fpeech, and very 
 looks, knowing himfelf to be both fufpe£f.ed and envied. 
 If he ftands fteadfaft in his heart, having no neceflity, 
 but hath power over his own will, and hath fo decreed 
 in his heart, that he will keep himfelf a Virgin, he 
 ij.ends his days in fafting and prayer, and blefTeth God 
 
234 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 for the gift of continency, knowing that it can no way 
 be preferred, but only by thofe means, by which at 
 firft it was obtained. He therefore thinks it not 
 enough for him to obferve the failing days of the 
 Church, and the daily prayers enjoined him by Autho- 
 rity, which he obferveth out of humble conformity and 
 obedience ; but adds to them, out of choice and devo- 
 tion, fome other days for fafting, and hours for prayers ; 
 and by thefe he keeps his body tame, ferviceable, and 
 healthful ; and his foul fervent, active, young, and 
 lufty as an eagle. He often readeth the Lives of the 
 Primitive Monks, Hermits, and Virgins, and wonder- 
 eth not fo much at their patient fuffering, and cheerful 
 dying under perfecuting Emperors, (though that indeed 
 be very admirable) as at their daily temperance, abfti- 
 nence, watchings, and conftant prayers, and mortifica- 
 tions in the times of peace and prosperity. To put on 
 the profound humility, and the exact temperance of 
 our Lord Jefus, with other exemplary virtues of that 
 fort, and to keep them on in the funfhine, and noon of 
 profperity, he findeth to be as necefiary, and as difficult 
 at leaft, as to be clothed with perfect patience and 
 Chriftian fortitude in the cold midnight ftorms of 
 perfecution and adverfity. He keepeth his watch and 
 ward, night and day againft the proper and peculiar 
 temptations of his ftate of Life, which are principally 
 Thefe Two, Spiritual pride, and Impurity of heart ; 
 againft thefe ghoftly enemies he girdeth up his loins, 
 keeps the imagination from roving, puts on the whole 
 Armour of God, and by the virtue of the fhield of 
 faith, he is not afraid of the peftilence that walketh in 
 darknefs, [carnal impurity] nor of the ficknefs that 
 deftroyeth at noon day, [Ghoftly pride and felf-conceit.] 
 Other temptations he hath, which like mortal enemies, 
 may fometimes difquiet him likewife ; for the human 
 foui being bounded, and kept in her fenfitive faculty, 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2?5 
 
 will run out more or lefs in her intellectual. Original 
 concupifcence is fuch an acStive thing, by reafon of" 
 continual inward or outward temptations, that it is ever 
 attempting, or doing one mifchief or other. Ambition, 
 or untimely defire of promotion to a higher Mate or 
 place, under colour of accommodation, or neceflary 
 provifion, is a common temptation, to men of any 
 eminency, efpecially being fingle men. Curiofity in 
 prying into high fpeculative and unprofitable queftions, 
 is another great {tumbling block to the holinefs of 
 Scholars. Thefe and many other fpiritual wicked- 
 nefles in high places doth the Parfon fear, or experiment, 
 or both ; and that much more being fingle, than if he 
 were married ; for then commonly the ftream of 
 temptations is turned another way, into Covetoufnefs, 
 Love of pleafure, or eafe, or the like. If the Parfon 
 be unmarried, and means to continue fo, he doth at 
 lean:, as much as hath been faid. If he be married, 
 the choice of his wife was made rather by his ear, than 
 bv his eye ; his judgment, not his affection, found out 
 a fit wife for him, whofe humble and liberal difpofition 
 he preferred before beauty, riches, or honour.* He 
 knew that (the good inftrument of God to bring 
 woman to heaven) a wife and loving hufband could, 
 out of humility, produce any fpecial grace of faith, 
 patience, meeknefs, love, obedience, &c, and out of 
 liberality make her fruitful in all good works. As he 
 is juft in all things, fo is he to his wife alfo, counting 
 nothing fo much his own, as that he may be unjult 
 unto it. Therefore he gives her refpect both afore her 
 fervants, and others, and half at leaft of the govern- 
 ment of the houfe, referving fo much of the aitairs as 
 ferve for a diverfion for him ; yet never fo giving over 
 the reins, but that he fometimes looks how things go, 
 
 * "The wife is the key of the hoiife.'' — Herbert's Proverbs. 
 
236 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 demanding an account, but not by the way of an 
 account.* And this muft be done the oftener, or the 
 feldomer, according as he is fatiffied of his wife's 
 difcretion. 
 
 Chap. X. 
 
 THE PARSON IN HIS HOUSE. 
 
 THE Parfon is very exacT: in the governing of his 
 Houfe, making it a Copy and model for his 
 Parifh. He knows the temper and pulfe of every 
 perfon in his houfe, and accordingly either meets with 
 their vices, or advanceth their virtues. His wife is 
 either religious, or night and day he is winning her to 
 it. Inftead of the qualities of the world, he requires 
 only three of her ; Firft, a training up of her children 
 and maids in the fear of God, with prayers, and cate- 
 chizing, and all religious duties. Secondly, a curing 
 and healing of all wounds and fores with her own 
 hands ; which fkill either fhe brought with her, or he 
 takes care fhe fhall learn it of fome religious neighbour. 
 Thirdly, a providing for her family in fuch fort, as that 
 neither they want a competent fuftentation, nor her 
 hufband be brought in debt. His children he firir. 
 makes Chriftians,f and then Commonwealth's men ; 
 
 * " And he was moft happy in his wife's unforced compliance 
 with his a£t.s of charity, whom he made his almoner, and paid 
 conftantly into her hand a tenth penny of what money he re- 
 ceived for tithe, and gave her power to difpofe that to the poor of 
 the parifh, and with it a power to difpofe a tenth part of the corn 
 that came yearly to his barn , which truft fhe did moft faithfully 
 perform, and would often offer to him an account of her fteward- 
 fhip." — Isaak Walton. 
 
 •J- " Take this rule, and it is an outlandifh one, which I com- 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 237 
 
 the one he owes to his heavenly Country, the other 
 to his earthly, having no title to either, except he- 
 do good to both. Therefore having feafoned them 
 with all piety, not only of words in praying, and read- 
 ing ; but in actions, in vifiting other fick children, 
 and tending their wounds, and fending his charity by 
 them to the poor, and fomctimes giving them a little- 
 money to do it of themfelves, that they get a delight in 
 it, and enter favour with God, who weighs even chil- 
 dren's actions. 1 Kings xiv. 12, 13 ; he afterwards 
 turns his care to fit all their difpofitions with fome 
 calling, not fparing the eldeft, but giving him the pre- 
 rogative of his father's profeflion, which happily for his 
 other children he is not able to do. Yet in binding 
 them Apprentices (in cafe he think fit to do fo) he 
 takes care not to put them into vain trades, and un- 
 befitting the reverence of their Father's calling, fuch as 
 are Taverns for men, and Lace-making for women - y 
 becaufe thofe trades, for the moft part, ferve but the 
 vices and vanities of the world, which he is to deny 
 and not augment. However^ he refolves with himfelf 
 never to omit any prefent good deed of charity, in con- 
 federation of providing a ltock for his children ; but 
 aflures himfelf, that money, thus lent to God, is placed 
 furer for his children's advantage, than if it were given 
 to the Chamber of London.* Good deeds, and good 
 breeding, are his two great frocks for his children ; if 
 God give any thing above thofe, and not fpent in them, 
 he blefTeth God, and lays it out as he fees caufe. His 
 fervants are all religious, and were it not his duty to 
 have them fo, it were his profit, for none are fo well 
 
 mend to you as being now a father : * The beft bred child hath 
 the beft portion.' " — Herbert to his brother Henry. 
 
 * " Great alms-giving leflfens no man's living." " Giving 
 much to the poor doth enrich a man's ftore. — Proverbs collected 
 by Herbert. 
 
238 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 ferved, as by religious fervants, both becaufe they 
 do beft, and becaufe what they do, is bleffed and pros- 
 pers. After religion, he teacheth them, that Three 
 things make a complete fervant, Truth, and Diligence, 
 and Neatnefs, or Cleanlinefs. Thofe that can read, 
 are allowed times for it, and thofe that cannot, are 
 taught ; for all in his houfe are either teachers or 
 learners, or both, fo that his family is a School of 
 Religion, and they all account that to teach the 
 ignorant is the greateft alms. Even the walls are not 
 idle, but fomething is written or painted there, which 
 may excite the reader to a thought of piety: efpecially 
 the 101ft Pfalm, which is expreffed in a fair table, as 
 being the Rule of a Family. And when they go 
 abroad, his wife among her neighbours is the beginner 
 of good difcourfes, his children among children, his 
 fervants among other fervants ; fo that as in the houfe 
 of thofe that are (killed in Mufic, all are Muiicians ; 
 fo in the houfe of a Preacher, all are Preachers. He 
 fuffers not a lie or equivocation by any means in his 
 houfe, but counts it the art and fecret of governing, to 
 preferve a direchnefs, and open plainnefs in all things ; 
 fo that all his houfe knows, that there is no help for a 
 fault done, but confefiion. Pie himfelf, or his wife, 
 takes account of Sermons, and how every one profits, 
 comparing this year with the laft : and befides the 
 common prayers of the Family, he ftraightly requires 
 of all to pray by themfelves before they fleep at night, 
 and ftir out in the morning, and knows what prayers 
 they fay, and till they have learned them, makes them 
 kneel by him ; efteeming that this private praying is a 
 more voluntary act in them, than when they are called 
 to others' prayers, and that which when they leave the 
 family, they carry with them. He keeps his fervants 
 between love and fear, according as he finds them - 9 
 but generally he distributes it thus, To his children 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 239 
 
 he (hows more love than terror, to his fervants more 
 terror than love ; but an old good fervant boards* 
 a child. The furniture of his houfe is very plain, 
 but clean, whole, and fweet, as fweet as his garden 
 can make ; for he hath no money for fuch things, 
 charity being his only perfume, which deferves coft 
 when he can fpare it. His fare is plain, and common, 
 but wholefome, what he hath, is little, but very good ; 
 it confifleth moft of mutton, beef, and veal ; if he 
 adds any thing for a great day, or a- ftranger, his 
 garden or orchard fupplies it, or his barn, and yard : 
 he goes no further for any entertainment, left he go 
 into the world, efteeming it abfurd, that he mould 
 exceed, who teacheth others temperance. But thofe 
 which his home produceth, he refufeth not, as coming 
 cheap, and eafy, and arifing from the improvement of 
 things, which otherwife would be loft. Wherein he 
 admires and imitates the wonderful providence and 
 thrift of the great Houfeholder of the world : for there 
 being two things, which as they are, are unufeful to 
 man, the one for fmallnefs, as crumbs, and fcattered 
 corn, and the like ; the other for the foulnefs, as warn, 
 and dirt, and things thereinto fallen ; God hath pro- 
 vided Creatures for both ; for the firft, Poultry, for the 
 fecond, Swine. Thefe fave man the labour, and doing 
 that which either he could not do, or was not fit for 
 him to do, by taking both forts of food into them, do 
 as it were drefs and prepare both for man in them- 
 felves, by growing themfelves fit for his table. The 
 Parfon in his houfe obferves fafting days ; and par- 
 ticularly, as Sunday is his day of joy, fo Friday his day 
 of Humiliation, which he celebrates not only with 
 abftinence of diet, but alfo of company, recreation, and 
 all outward contentments ; and befides, with confeflion 
 
 * Is treated as one of the family. 
 
240 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 of fins, and all acts of mortification. Now failing 
 days contain a treble obligation : Firil, of eating lefs 
 that day, than on other days ; Secondly, of eating no 
 pleafing, or over-nou riming things, as the Ifraelites 
 did eat four herbs : Thirdly, of eating no flefh, which 
 is but the determination of the fecond rule by Autho- 
 rity to this particular. The two former obligations 
 are much more effential to a true faft, than the third 
 and kit ; and failing days were fully performed by 
 keeping of the two former, had not Authority inter- 
 pofed : fo that to eat little, and that unpleafant, is the 
 natural rule of failing, although it be flefh. For fince 
 Failing in Scripture language is an afflicting of our 
 iouls, if a piece of dry fleili at my table be more 
 unpleafant to me, than fome fiih there, certainly to eat 
 the fleih, and not the fiih, is to keep the Failing day 
 naturally. And it is obfervable, that the prohibiting of 
 fleih came from hot Countries, where both fleih alone, 
 and much more with wine, is apt to nourifh more than 
 in cold regions, and where fleih may be much better 
 fpared, and with more fafety than elfewhere, where 
 both the people and the drink being cold and phleg- 
 matic, the eating of fleih is an antidote to both. For 
 it is certain, that a weak ilomach, being prepoiTeiTed 
 with fleih, ihall much better brook and bear a draught 
 of beer, than if it had taken before either fiih or roots, 
 or fuch things ; which will difcover itfelf by fpitting, 
 and rheum, or phlegm. To conclude, the Parfon, if 
 he be in full health, keeps the three obligations, eating 
 fiih, or roots, and that for quantity little, for quality 
 unpleafant. If his body be weak and obflructed, as 
 moil Students are, he cannot keep the lail obligation, 
 nor fuffer others in his houfe that are fo, to keep 
 it; but only the two former, which alfo in difeafes 
 of exinanition (as confumptions) muil be broken ; for 
 meat was made for man, not man for meat. To 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2.' r I 
 
 all this may be added, not for emboldening the unruly, 
 but for the comfort of the weak, that not only ficknefs 
 breaks thefe obligations of falling, but ficklinefs alfo. 
 For it is as unnatural to do anything, that leads me to 
 a ficknefs, to which I am inclined, as not to get out of 
 that ficknefs, when I am in it, by any diet. One thing 
 is evident, that an Englifh Body, and a Student's 
 Body, are two great obftrudted vefTels, and there is 
 nothing that is food, and not phyfic, which doth lefs 
 obftrucl, than flefh moderately taken; as being im- 
 moderately taken, it is exceeding obftru&ive. And 
 obftruclions are the caufe of moft difeafes.* 
 
 Chap. XI. 
 
 THE PARSON'S COURTESY, t 
 
 THE Country Parfon owing a debt of Charity to 
 the poor, and of Courtefy to his other Parifhion- 
 
 * Herbert brings out with moft ferious beauty the caution in 
 Shakefpere : — 
 
 u But, good my brother, 
 Do not, as ibme ungracious pallors do, 
 Show me the fteep and thorny way to heaven, 
 Whilft like a puft and carelefs libertine, 
 Himfelf the primrofe path of dalliance treads, 
 And recks not his own reed." 
 (That is, does not regard his own doctrine.) 
 
 f A genial hearth, a hofpitable board, 
 And a refined rufticity, belong 
 To the neat manfion, where his flock among, 
 The learned paftor dwells, their watchful lord ; 
 Though meek and patient as a fheathed lword. , ' > 
 
 Wordsworth, Eccles. Sonnets, xviii. 
 R 
 
242 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 ers, he fo diftinguifheth, that he keeps his money for 
 the poor, and his table for thofe that are above Alms. 
 Not but that the poor are welcome alfo to his table, 
 whom he fometimes purpofely takes home with him, 
 fetting them clofe by him, and carving for them, both 
 for his own humility, and their comfort, who are much 
 cheered with fuch friendlinefle. But fince both is to 
 be done, the better fort invited, and meauer relieved, 
 he choofeth rather to give the poor money, which they 
 can better employ to their own advantage, and fuitably 
 to their needs, than fo much given in meat at dinner. 
 Having then invited fome of his parifh, he taketh his 
 times to do the like to the reft ; fo that in the compafs 
 of the year, he hath them all with him, becaufe coun- 
 try people are very obfervant of fuch things, and will 
 not be perfuaded, but being not invited, they are hated. 
 Which perfuafion the Parfon by all means avoids, 
 knowing that where there are fuch conceits, there is 
 no room for his doctrine to enter. Yet doth he often- 
 eft invite thofe whom he fees take beft courfes, that fo 
 both they may be encouraged to perfevere, and others 
 fpurred to do well, that they may enjoy the like cour- 
 tefy. For though he defire, that all inould live well 
 and virtuoufly, not for any reward of his, but for vir- 
 tue's fake \ yet that will not be fo : and therefore as 
 God, although we mould love him only for his own 
 fake, yet out of his infinite pity hath fet forth heaven 
 for a reward to draw men to Piety, and is content, if 
 at leaft fo, they will become good ; fo the Country 
 Parfon, who is a diligent obferver, and tracker of 
 God's ways, fets up as many encouragements to good- 
 nefs as he can, both in honour, and profit, and fame ; 
 that he may, if not the beft way, yet any way, make 
 his Parifh good. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 243 
 
 Chap. XII. 
 
 THE PARSON'S CHARITY. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is full of Charity ;* it is his 
 predominant element. For many and wonderful 
 things are fpoken of thee, thou great Virtue. To 
 Chanty is given the covering of fins, 1 Pet. iv. 8 ; and 
 the forgivenefs of fins, Matthew vi. 14, Luke vii. 
 47 ; the fulfilling of the law, Romans xiii. 10 ; the life 
 of faith, James ii. 26 ; the bleffings of this life, Pro- 
 verbs xxii. 9, Pfalm xli. 2 ; and the reward of the 
 next, Matthew xxv. 35 . In brief, it is the body of 
 religion, John xiii. 35 ; and the top of Chriftian vir- 
 tues, 1 Corinthians xiii. Wherefore all his works 
 relifh of Charity. When he rifeth in the morning, he 
 bethinketh himfelf what good deeds he can do that 
 day, and prefently doth them ; counting tnat day loft, 
 wherein he hath not exercifed his Charity. He firft 
 confiders his own Parifh, and takes care, that there be 
 not a beggar, or idle perfon in his Parifh, but that all 
 be in a competent way of getting their living. This 
 he effeits either by bounty, or perfuafion, or by author- 
 ity, making ufe of that excellent ftatute, which binds 
 all Parifhes to maintain their own. If his Parifh be 
 rich, he exacts this of them ; if poor, and he able, he 
 eafeth them therein. But he gives no fet Penfion to 
 any ; for this in time will lofe the name and effect of 
 Charity with the poor people, though not with God: 
 for then they will reckon upon it, as on a debt ; and if 
 
 * " The miferable man maketh a penny of a farthing, and the 
 liberal of a farthing, iixpence." — Proverbs colle£ted by Herbert. 
 
 R 2 
 
244 HERBERT 3 PROSE WORKS. 
 
 it be taken away, though juftly, they will murmur, 
 and repine as much, as he that is diffeized of his own 
 inheritance. But the Parfon having a double aim, and 
 making a hook of his Charity, caufeth them ftill to 
 depend on him ; and fo by continual, and frefh boun- 
 ties, unexpected to them, but refolved to himfelf, he 
 wins them to praife God more, to live more religioufly, 
 and to take more pains in their vocation, as not know- 
 ing when they mail be relieved ; which otherwife they 
 would reckon upon and turn to idlenefs. Befides this 
 general provilion, he hath other times of opening his 
 hand ; as at great Feftivals and Communions > not 
 fuffering any that day that he receives, to want a good 
 meal fuiting to the joy of the occafion. But fpecially, 
 at hard times, and dearths, he even parts his Living 
 and life among them, giving fome Corn outright, and 
 felling other at under rates ; and when his own flock 
 ferves not, working thofe that are able to the fame 
 charity, ftill prefiing it in the Pulpit and out of the 
 Pulpit, and never leaving them till he obtain his defire. 
 Yet in all his Charity, he diftinguifheth, giving them 
 moft, who live beft, and take moft pains, and are moft 
 charged : So is his charity in effecl: a Sermon. After 
 the confideration of his own Pariih, he enlargeth him- 
 felf, if he be able, to the neighbourhood ; for that alfo 
 is fome kind of obligation ; fo doth he alfo to thofe at 
 his door, whom God puts in his way, and makes his 
 neighbours. But thefe he helps not without fome teft- 
 imony, except the evidence of the mifery bring tefti- 
 mony with it. For though thefe teftimonies alio may 
 be falfified, yet confidering that the Law allows thefe 
 in cafe they be true, but allows by no means to give 
 without teftimony, as he obeys authority in the one, 
 fo that being once fatiffied, he allows his charity fome 
 blindnefs in the other; efpecially, fince of the two 
 commands, we are more enjoined to be charitable than 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 245 
 
 wife. But evident miferies have a natural privilege, 
 and exemption from all law. Whenever he gives 
 anything, and fees them labour in thanking of him, he 
 exa&s of them to let him alone, and fay rather, God be 
 praifed, God be glorified ; that fo the thanks may go 
 the right way, and thither only, where they are only 
 due. So doth he alfo before giving make them hy 
 their Prayers firft, or the Creed, and ten Command- 
 ments, and as he finds them perfect, rewards them the 
 more. For other givings are lay, and fecular, but this 
 is to give like a prieft. 
 
 Chap. XIII. 
 
 THE PARSON'S CHURCH. 
 
 THE Country Parfon hath a fpecial care of his 
 Church, that all things there be decent, and be- 
 fitting his name, by which it is called. Therefore, 
 Firft, he takes order, that all things be in good repair ; 
 as walls plaftered, windows glazed, floor paved, feats 
 whole, firm, and uniform, efpecially that the Pulpit 
 and Defk, and Communion Table, and Font be as 
 they ought, for thofe great duties that are performed 
 in them. Secondly, That the Church be fwept, and 
 kept clean without duft, or Cobwebs, and at great 
 Feftivals ftrewed, and ftuck with boughs, and per- 
 fumed with incenfe. Thirdly, That there be fit and 
 proper Texts of Scripture everywhere painted, and that 
 all the painting be grave, and reverend, not with light 
 colours or foolifh antics. Fourthly, That all the Books 
 appointed by Authority be there, and thofe not torn or 
 fouled, but whole and clean, and well bound ; and that 
 there be a fitting and lightly Communion Cloth of 
 
246 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 fine linen, with a handfome, and feemly Carpet of 
 good and coftly Stuff, or Cloth, and all kept fweet and 
 clean, in a ftrong and decent Cheft, with a Chalice, 
 and Cover, and a Stoop or Flagon : and a Bafin for 
 Alms and Offerings ; befides which, he hath a Poor- 
 man's Box conveniently feated, to receive the Charity 
 of well-minded people, and to lay up treafure for the 
 fick and needv. And all this he doth, not as out of 
 neceffity, or as putting a holinefs in the things, but as 
 defiring to keep the middle way between fuperftition 
 and flovenlinefs, and as following the Apoftle's two 
 great and admirable Rules in things of this nature : 
 The firft whereof is, Let all things be done decently 
 and in order : The fecond, Let all things be done to 
 edification, 1 Cor. xiv. For thefe Two Rules com- 
 prife and include the double object of our duty, God, 
 and our neighbour ; the firft being for the honour of 
 God, the fecond for the benefit of our neighbour. So 
 that they excellently fcore out the way, and fully, and 
 exactly contain, even in external and indifferent things, 
 what courfe is to be taken ; and put them to great 
 fhame, who deny the Scripture to be perfect:, 
 
 Chap. XIV. 
 
 THE PARSON IN CIRCUIT. 
 
 THE Country Parfon upon the afternoons in the 
 week-days, takes occafion fometimes to vifit in 
 perfon, now one quarter of his Parifh, now another. 
 For there he {hall find his flock moft naturally as they 
 are, wallowing in the midft of their affairs : whereas 
 on Sunday it is eafy for them to compofe themfelves 
 to order, which they put on as their holyday clothes, 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 247 
 
 and come to Church in frame, but commonly the next 
 day put off* both. When he comes to any houfe, firft 
 he blefleth it, and then as he finds the perfons of the 
 houfe employed, fo he forms his difcourfe. Thofe that 
 he finds religioufly employed, he both commends them 
 much, and furthers them when he is gone, in their 
 employment ; as if he finds them reading, he furniiheth 
 :hem with good Books \ if curing poor people, he fup- 
 plies them with Receipts, and inftrutSts them further 
 in that (kill, (hewing them how acceptable fuch works 
 are to God, and wiihing them ever to do the Cures 
 with their own hands, and not to put them over to 
 fervants. Thofe that he finds bufy in the works of 
 their calling, he commendeth them alfo : for it is a 
 good and juft thing for every one to do their own bufi- 
 nefs. But then he admonifheth them of two things ; 
 firft that they dive not too deep into worldly affairs, 
 plunging themfelves over head and ears into carking 
 and caring ; but that they fo labour, as neither to 
 labour anxioully, nor diftru ft fully, nor profanely. 
 Then they labour anxiously, when they overdo it, to 
 the lofs of their quiet and health : then diftruftfully, 
 when they doubt God's providence, thinking that their 
 own labour is the caufe of their thriving, as if it were 
 in their own hands to thrive or not to thrive. Then 
 they labour profanely, when they fet themfelves to 
 work like brute beafts, never raifing their thoughts to 
 God, nor fanchifying their labour with daily prayer \ 
 when on the Lord's day they do unnecefTary fervile 
 work, or in time of divine fervice on other holy days, 
 except in the cafes of extreme poverty, and in the fea- 
 fons of Seed-time and Harveft. Secondly, he advifeth 
 them fo to labour for wealth and maintenance, as that 
 they make not that the end of their labour, but that 
 they may have wherewithal to ferve God the better, 
 and to do good deeds. After thefe difcourfes, if they 
 
248 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 be poor and needy, whom he thus finds labouring, he 
 gives them fomewhat ; and opens not only his mouth, 
 but his purfe to their relief, that fo they go on more 
 cheerfully in their vocation, and himfelf be ever the 
 more welcome to them. Thofe that the Parfon finds 
 idle, or ill-employed, he chides not at firft, for that 
 were neither civil nor profitable ; but always in the 
 clofe, before he departs from them ; yet in this he 
 diftinguifheth ; for if he be a plain Countryman, he 
 reproves him plainly ; for they are not fenfible of fine- 
 nefs ; if they be of higher quality, they commonly are 
 quick, and fenfible, and very tender of reproof; and 
 therefore he lays his difcourfe fo, that he comes to the 
 point very leifurely, and oftentimes, as Nathan did, in 
 the perfon of another, making them to reprove them- 
 felves. However, one way or other, he ever reproves 
 them, that he may keep himfelf pure, and not be 
 entangled in others' fins. Neither in this doth he 
 forbear, though there be company by : for as when 
 the offence is particular, and againft me, I am to fol- 
 low our Saviour's rule, and to take my brother afide, 
 and reprove him ; fo when the offence is public, and 
 againft God, I am then to follow the apoftle's rule, 
 1 Timothy v. 20, and to rebuke openly that which is 
 done openly. B elides thefe occafional difcourfes, the 
 Parfon queftions what order is kept in the houfe, as 
 about prayers, morning and evening, on their knees, 
 reading of Scripture, catechizing, finging of Pfalms at 
 their work and on Holy days : who can read, who 
 not ; and fometimes he hears the children read himfelf, 
 and blefTeth, encouraging alfo the fervants to learn to 
 read, and offering to have them taught on Holydays 
 by his fervants. If the Parfon were afhamed of par- 
 ticularizing in thefe things, he were not fit to be a 
 parfon ; but he holds the Rule, that Nothing is little 
 in God's fervice; If it once have the honour of that 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 249 
 
 Name, it grows great inftantly. Wherefore neither 
 difdaincth he to enter into the pooreft Cottage, though 
 he even creep into it, and though it fmell never fo 
 loathfomely. For both God is there alfo, and thofe 
 for whom God died : and fo much the rather doth he 
 fo, as his accefs to the poor is more comfortable, than 
 to the rich \ and in regard of himfelf, it is more humi- 
 liation. Thefe are the Parfon's general aims in his 
 Circuit ; but with thefe he mingles other difcourfes for 
 converfation fake, and to make his higher purpofes flip 
 the more eafily. 
 
 Chap. XV. 
 
 THE PARSON COMFORTING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, when any of his Cure is 
 fick, or afflicted with lofs of friend, or eftate, or 
 any ways diftrefled, fails not to afford his befl: comforts, 
 and rather goes to them, than fends for the afflicted, 
 though they can, and otherwife ought to come to 
 him. To this end he hath thoroughly digefted all 
 the points of confolation, as having continual ufe of 
 them, fuch as are from God's general providence ex- 
 tended even to Lilies ; from his particular, to his 
 Church ; from his promifes; from the examples of all 
 Saints, that ever were ; from Chrift himfelf, perfecting 
 our Redemption no other way than by forrow ; from 
 the Benefit of affliicton, which foftens and works the 
 ltubborn heart of man ; from the certainty both of 
 deliverance, and reward, if we faint not ; from the 
 miferable comparifon of the moment of griefs here 
 with the weight of joys hereafter. Befides this, in his 
 vifiting the fick, or otherwife afflicted, he followeth the 
 
25O HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 Church's counfel, namely, in perfuading them to par- 
 ticular confeffion ; labouring to make them underftand 
 the great good ufe of this ancient and pious Ordinance, 
 and how neceffary it is in fome cafes : he alfo urgeth 
 them to do fome pious charitable works, as a neceffary 
 evidence and fruit of their faith, at that time efpecially : 
 the participation of the Holy Sacrament, how comfort- 
 able, and fovereign a medicine it is to all fin-fick fouls, 
 what ftrength, and joy, and peace it adminifters againft 
 all temptations, even to death itfelf, — he plainly, and 
 generally intimateth to the difaffe£t-ed, or fick perfon ; 
 that fo the hunger and thirft after it may come rather 
 from themfelves, than from his perfuafion. 
 
 Chap. XVI. 
 
 THE PARSON A FATHER.* 
 
 THE Country Parfon is not only a Father to his 
 flock, but alfo profeffeth himfelf thoroughly of the 
 opinion, carrying it about him with him as fully, as if 
 he had begot his whole Parifh. And of this he makes 
 great ufe, For by this means, when any fins, he hateth 
 him not as an Officer, but pities him as a Father : and 
 even in thofe wrongs which either in tithing or other- 
 wife are done to his own perfon, he confiders the 
 offender as a child, and forgives, fo he may have any 
 fign of amendment ; fo alfo, when, after many admo- 
 nitions, any continue to be refractory, yet he gives him 
 
 * " Sir, the life of a Parfon, of a conscientious clergyman, is 
 not eafy. I have always confidered a clergyman as the father of 
 a larger family than he is able to maintain. ,, — Johnson by 
 Croker, vii. 152. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 251 
 
 not over, but is long before he proceed to difinheriting, 
 or perhaps never goes fo for ; knowing that fame arc 
 called at the eleventh hour, and therefore he (till ex- 
 pects, and waits, left he fhould determine God's hour 
 of coming ; which as he cannot, touching the Lift day, 
 ib neither touching the intermediate days of Converfion. 
 
 Chap. XVII. 
 
 THE PARSON IN JOURNEY. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, when a juft occafion calleth 
 him out of his Parifh (which he diligently, and 
 ftriclly weigheth, his Parifh being all his joy, and 
 thought) leaveth not his Miniftry behind him ; but is 
 himfelf wherever he is. Therefore thofe he meets on 
 the way he bleffeth audibly, and with thofe he over- 
 takes or that overtake him, he begins good difcourfes, 
 fuch as may edify, interpofing fome fhort and honeft 
 refreshments, which may make his other difcourfes 
 more welcome, and lefs tedious. And when he comes 
 to his Inn, he refufeth not to join, that he may enlarge 
 the Glory of God to the companv he is in, by a due 
 bleiling of God for their fafe arrival, and faying grace 
 at meat, and at going to bed by giving the hoft notice, 
 that he will have prayers in the hall, wifhing him to 
 inform his guefts thereof, that if any be willing to par- 
 take, they may refort thither. The like he doth in the 
 morning, ufing pleafantly the outlandifh proverb, that 
 Prayers and Provender never hinder Journey. When 
 he comes to any other houfe, where his kindred or 
 other relations give him any authority over the family, 
 if he be to ftay for a time, he confiders diligently the 
 
252 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 ftate thereof to Godward, and that in two points : 
 Firft, what diforders there are either in Apparel, or 
 Diet, or too open a Buttery, or reading vain Books, or 
 fwearing, or breeding up children to no calling, but in 
 idlenefs, or the like. Secondly, what means of Piety, 
 v/hether daily prayers be ufed, Grace, reading of Scrip- 
 tures, and other good Books, how Sundays, holydays, 
 and fafting days are kept. And accordingly, as he 
 finds any defect in thefe, he firft confiders with himfelf, 
 what kind of remedy fits the temper of the houfe beft, 
 and then he faithfully, and boldly applieth it ; yet fea- 
 fonably, and difcreetly, by taking afide the Lord or 
 Lady -, or mafter or miftrefs of the houfe, and fhewing 
 them clearly, that they refpefl: them moft, who wifh 
 them belt, and that not a defire to meddle with others' 
 affairs, but the earneftnefs to do all the good he can, 
 moves him to fay thus and thus. 
 
 Chap. XVIIL 
 
 THE PARSON IN SENTINEL. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, wherever he is, keeps God's 
 watch ; that is, there is nothing fpoken, or done 
 in the Company where he is, but comes under his Teft 
 and cenfure ; If it be well fpoken or done, he takes 
 occafion to commend, and enlarge it; if ill, he pre- 
 fently lays hold of it, left the poifon fteal into fome 
 young and unwary fpirits, and pofTefs them even before 
 they themfelves heed it. B ut this he doth difcreetly, with 
 mollifying and fuppling words : This was not fo well 
 faid, as it might have been forborne ; We cannot allow 
 this : or elfe the thing will admit interpretation ; Your 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 253 
 
 meaning is not thus, but thus ; or, So far indeed what 
 you fay is true, and well faid ; but this will not (land, 
 This is called Keeping God's watch, when the baits 
 which the enemy lays in company, are discovered, and 
 avoided : This is to be on God's fide, and be true to 
 his party. Befides, if he perceive in company any dif- 
 courfe tending to ill, either by the wickednefs or quar- 
 relfomenefs thereof, he either prevents it judicioufly, or 
 breaks it off feafonably by fome diverfion. Wherein 
 a pleafantnefs of difpofition is of great ufe, men being 
 willing to fell the intereft, and engagement of their dif- 
 courfes for no price fooner than that of mirth ;* 
 whither the nature of man, loving refrefhment, gladly 
 betakes itfelf, even to the lofs of honour. 
 
 Chap. XIX. 
 
 THE PARSON IN REFERENCE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is fincere and upright in all 
 his relations. And Firft, he is jult to his Country; 
 as when he is fet at an armour, or horfe, he borrows 
 them not to ferve the turn, nor provides flight, and 
 unufeful, but fuch as are every way fitting to do his 
 Country true and laudable fervice, when occafion re- 
 quires. To do otherwife, is deceit ; and therefore, not 
 for him, who is hearty, and true in all his ways, as being 
 the fervant of Him, in whom there was no guile. Like- 
 wife in any other Country-duty, he confiders what is 
 the end of any Command, and then he fuits things 
 
 * It was a faying of Archbifhop Ufher, — " If good people 
 would but make goodnefs agreeable, and {mile inftead of frown- 
 ing in their virtue, how many they would win to the good caufe." 
 
254 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 faithfully according to that end. Secondly, he carries 
 himfelf very refpectively, as to all the Fathers of the 
 Church, fo efpecially to his Diocefan, honouring him 
 both in word and behaviour, and reforting unto him in 
 any difficulty, either in his ftudies or in his parifh. He 
 obferves Vifitations, and being there, makes due ufe of 
 them, as of Clergy Councils, for the benefit of the 
 Diocefe. And therefore before he comes, having ob- 
 ferved fome defects in the Miniftry, he then either in 
 fermon, if he preach, or at fome other time of the day, 
 propounds among his Brethren what were fitting to be 
 done. Thirdly, he keeps good Correfpondence with 
 all the neighbouring Paftors round about him, perform- 
 ing for them any Minifterial Office, which is not to the 
 prejudice of his own Parifn. Likewife he welcomes to 
 his houfe any Minifter, how poor or mean foever, with 
 as joyful a countenance, as if he were to entertain fome 
 great Lord. Fourthly, he fulfils the duty, and debt of 
 neighbourhood to all the parifhes which are near him. 
 For the apoftle's rule, Philip, iv. being admirable, and 
 large, that "we mould do whatfoever things are honeft, 
 or juft, or pure, or lovely, or of good report, if there be 
 any virtue, or any praife ;" and Neighbourhood being 
 ever reputed, even among the Heathen, as an obliga- 
 tion to do good, rather than to thofe that are further, 
 where things are otherwife equal, therefore he fatiffies 
 this duty alfo. Efpecially, if God have fent any calamity 
 either by fire or famine, to any neighbouring Parifh, 
 then he expects no Brief; but taking his Parifh together 
 the next Sunday, or Holy-day, and expofing to them 
 the uncertainty of human affairs, none knowing whofe 
 turn may be next, and then when he hath affrighted 
 them with this, expofing the obligation of Charity, and 
 neighbourhood, he firft gives himfelf liberally, and then 
 incites them to give ; making together a fum either to 
 be fent, or, which were more comfortable, all together 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 255 
 
 choofing fome fit day to carry it themfelves, and cheer 
 the Afflicted. So, if any neighbouring village be over- 
 burdened with poor, and his own lefs charged, he finds 
 fome way of relieving it, and reducing the Manna, and 
 bread of Charity to fome equality, reprefenting to his 
 people, that the BlefTing of God to them ought to make 
 them the more charitable, and not the lefs, left he caft 
 their neighbours' poverty on them alfo. 
 
 Chap. XX. 
 
 THE PARSON IN GOD'S STEAD. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is in God's ftead to his Parifh, 
 and difchargeth God what he can of his promifes, 
 Wherefore there is nothing done either well or ill, 
 whereof he is not the rewarder, or punifher. If he 
 chance to find any reading in another's Bible, he pro- 
 vides him one of his own. If he find another giving a 
 poor man a penny, he gives him a tefter* for it, if the 
 giver be fit to receive it : or if he be of a condition 
 above fuch gifts, he fends him a good Book, or eafeth 
 him in his tithes, telling him when he hath forgotten it, 
 This I do, becaufe at fuch and fuch a time you were 
 charitable. This is in fome fort a difcharging of God; 
 as concerning this life, who hath promifed, that Godli- 
 nefs fhall be gainful : but in the other, God is his own 
 immediate paymafter, rewarding all good deeds to their 
 
 * Sixpence; often written "teftorne," as by Latimer, " I think 
 truly all the town would come to celebrate the Communion to 
 get a teftorne, but will not come to receive the body and blood of 
 Chrift." 
 
256 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 full proportion. " The parfon's punifhing of fin and 
 vice is rather by withdrawing his bounty and courtefy 
 from the parties offending, or by private or public 
 reproof, as the cafe requires, than by caufing them to 
 be prefented, or otherwife complained of. And yet, as 
 the malice of the perfon, or heinoufnefs of the crime 
 may be, he is careful to fee condign punifhment 
 inflicted, and with truly godly zeal, without hatred to 
 the perfon, hungreth and thirfteth after righteous 
 punimment of unrighteoufnefs. Thus both in rewarding 
 virtue, and in punifhing vice, the Parfon endeavoureth 
 to be in God's ftead, knowing that Country people are 
 drawn or led by fenfe, more than by faith, by prefent 
 rewards or punifhments, more than by future." 
 
 Chap. XXL 
 
 THE PARSON'S CATECHISING.* 
 
 THE Country Parfon values catechifing highly : 
 For there being Three points of his Duty ; The 
 one, to infufe a competent knowledge of falvation in 
 every one of his flock ; The other, to multiply and 
 build up this knowledge to a fpiritual Temple ; The 
 third, to inflame this knowledge, to prefs, and drive it 
 to practice, turning it to reformation of life, by pithy 
 and lively exhortations ; Catechifing is the firft point, 
 
 * It is told by Nelfon, of Bifhop Bull, that he was fo earneft 
 and fucceffful in catechifing his people, le&uring the old, by 
 inviting them to be prefent at the inftruclion of the young, that 
 to one vifitation of the Bifhop he carried with him fifty well- 
 inftruclied perfons to be confirmed, out of a parifh confifting of 
 thirty families. — See Works of Bull (Oxford edit.) i. 52. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 257 
 
 and but by Catechifing, the other cannot be attained. 
 Befides, whereas in Sermons there is a kind of (late, 
 in Catechifing there is an humblencfs very fuitable to 
 Chriftian regeneration ; which exceedingly delights 
 him as by way of exercife upon himfelf, and by way of 
 preaching to himfelf, for the advancing of his own 
 mortification : For in preaching to others, he forgets 
 not himfelf, but is firft a Sermon to himfelf, and then 
 to others ; growing with the growth of his Parifh. He 
 ufeth and preferreth the ordinary Church Catechifm, 
 partly for obedience to Authority, partly for Uniformitv 
 fake, that the fame common truths may be every where 
 profefTed, efpecially fince many remove from Parifh to 
 Parifh., who like Chriftian Soldiers, are to give the 
 word, and to fatiffy the Congregation by their Catholic 
 anfwers. He exacts of all the Doctrine of the Cate- 
 chifm ; of the younger fort, the very words ; of the 
 elder, the fubftance."* Thofc he Catechifeth publicly, 
 thefe privately, giving age honour, according to the 
 Apoftle's rule, i Tim. v. I. He requires all to be 
 prefent at catechifing : Firft, for the Authority of the 
 work ; Secondly, that Parents, and Matters, as they 
 hear the anfwers prove, may when they come home, 
 either commend or reprove, either reward or punifh. 
 Thirdly, that thofe of the elder fort, who are not well 
 grounded, may then by an honourable way take occa- 
 fion to be better inftructed. Fourthly, that thofe who 
 are well grounded in the knowledge of Religion, may 
 
 * " It is a great error to think that the Catechifm was made 
 for children only : for all Chriftians are equally concerned in 
 thofe laving truths which are there taught ; and the doctrine 
 delivered in the Catechifm is as pioper for the ftudy, and as ne- 
 ceflary for the falvation of a great doctor, as of a weak Chriftian, 
 or a young child." — Bishop Ken's Expolition, Profe Works, 
 (Round) p. 339. 
 
 S 
 
258 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 examine their grounds, renew their vows, and by 
 occafion of both, enlarge their meditations. When 
 once all have learned the words of the Catechifm, he 
 thinks it the moll: ufeful way that a Paftor can take, to 
 go over the fame, but in other words : for many fay the 
 Catechifm by rote, as Parrots, without ever piercing 
 into the fenfe of it. In this courfe the order of the 
 Catechifm would be kept, but the reft varied : as thus, 
 in the Creed : How came this world to be as it is ? 
 Was it made, or came it by chance ? Who made it ? 
 Did you fee God make it? Then are there fome 
 things to be believed that are not feen ? Is this the 
 nature of belief? Is not Chriftianity full of fuch 
 things, as are not to be feen, but believed ? You faid, 
 God made the world ; Who is God ? And fo forward, 
 requiring Anfwers to all thefe, and helping and cherifh- 
 ing the Anfwerer, by making the Queftions very plain 
 with comparifons, and making much even of a word of 
 truth from him. This order being ufed to one, would 
 be a little varied to another. And this is an admirable 
 way of teaching, wherein the Catechifed will at length 
 find delight, and by which the Catechizer, if he once 
 get the fkill of it, will draw out of ignorant and filly 
 fouls, even the dark and deep points of Religion. 
 Socrates did thus in philofophy, who held that the feeds 
 of all truths lay in every body, and accordingly, by 
 queftions well ordered, he found Philofophy in filly 
 Tradefmen. That pofition will not hold in Chriftianity, 
 becaufe it contains things above nature : but after that 
 the Catechifm is once learned, that which nature is 
 towards Philofophy, the Catechifm is towards Divinity. 
 To this purpofe, fome Dialogues in Plato were worth 
 the reading, where the fingular dexterity of Socrates in 
 this kind may be obferved, and imitated. Yet the fkill 
 confifts but in thefe three points : Firft, an aim and 
 mark of the whole difcourfe, whither to drive the 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 259 
 
 Anfwerer, which the Queftionift muft have in his 
 mind before any queftion be propounded, upon which 
 and to which the queftions are to be chained. Secondly, 
 a mofl plain and eafy framing the queftion, even con- 
 taining, in virtue, the anfwer alfo, efpecially to the 
 more ignorant, Thirdly, when the anfwerer fticks, an 
 illuftrating the thing by fomething elfe, which he 
 knows, making what he knows to ferve him in that 
 which he knows not : as, when the Parfon once 
 demanded, after other queftions about man's mifery ; 
 fince man is fo miferable, what is to be done ? And 
 the Anfwerer could not tell ; he afked him again, 
 what he would do if he were in a ditch ? This fami- 
 liar illuftration made the anfwer fo plain, that he was 
 even afhamed of his ignorance ; for he could not but 
 fay, he would hafte out of it as faft as he could. Then 
 he proceeded to afk, whether he could get out of the 
 ditch alone, or whether he needed a helper, and who 
 was that helper. This is the (kill, and doubtlefs the 
 Holy Scripture intends thus much, when it condefcends 
 to the naming of a plough, a hatchet, a buiriel, leaven, 
 boys piping and dancing ; (hewing that things of ordi- 
 nary ufe are not only to ferve in the way of drudgery, 
 but to be wa(hed and cleanfed, and ferve for lights even 
 of Heavenly Truths. This is the Practice which the 
 Parfon fo much commends to all his fellow-labourers ; 
 the fecret of whofe good confifts in this ; that at Ser- 
 mons and Prayers men may fleep,or wander ; but when 
 one is afked a queftion, he muft difcover what he is. 
 This practice exceeds even Sermons in teaching : But 
 there being two things in Sermons, the one Informing, 
 the other Inflaming ; as Sermons come (hort of quef- 
 tions in the one, fo they far exceed them in the other. 
 For queftions cannot inflame or ravifh, that muft be 
 done by a fet, and laboured, and continued fpeech. 
 
 s 2 
 
260 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Chap. XXII. 
 
 THE PARSON IN SACRAMENTS. 
 
 THE Country Parfon being to adminifter the Sacra- 
 ments, is at a ftand with himfelf, how or what 
 behaviour to affume for fo Holy things. Efpecially at 
 Communion times he is in a great confufion, as being 
 not only to receive God, but to break and adminifter 
 him. Neither finds he any iffue in this, but to throw 
 himfelf down at the throne of Grace, faying, " Lord, 
 thou knoweft what thou didft, when thou appointedft 
 it to be done thus ; therefore do thou fulfil what thou 
 didft appoint ; for thou art not only the feaft, but the 
 way to it." At Baptifm, being himfelf in white, he 
 requires the prefence of all, and Baptizeth not will- 
 ingly, but on Sundays, or great days. He admits no 
 vain or idle names, but fuch as are ufual and ac- 
 cuftomed.* He fays that prayer with great devotion, 
 where God is thanked for calling us to the knowledge 
 of his grace, Baptifm being a blefling, that the world 
 hath not the like. He willingly and cheerfully croffeth 
 the child, and thinketh the ceremony not only inno- 
 cent, but reverend. He inftructeth the Godfathers, 
 and Godmothers, that it is no complimental or light 
 thing to fuftain that place, but a great honour, and no 
 
 * " Pride lives with all ; ftrange names our nifties give 
 To helplefs infants, that their own may live ; 
 Pleafed to be known, they'll fome attention claim, 
 And find fome by-way to the houfe of fame. 
 6 Why Lonicera, wilt thou name thy child r' 
 I afked the gardener's wife in accents mild ; 
 ' We have a right, 1 replied the fturdy dame ; 
 And Lonicera was the infant's name. 11 
 
 Crabbe, The Parifh Regifter, Pt. i. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 261 
 
 lefs burden, as being done both in the pretence of 
 
 God, and his Saints, and by way of undertaking for 
 a Chriftian foul. He advifeth all to call to mind their 
 Baptifm often ; for if wife men have thought it the 
 heft way of preferving a State to reduce it to its prin- 
 ciples by which it grew great ; certainly it is the fafeft 
 courfc for Chriftians alfo to meditate on their Baptifm 
 often (being the firft ftep into their great and glorious 
 calling) and upon what terms, and with what vows 
 they were Baptized. At the times of the Holy Com- 
 munion, he Firft takes order with the Church- Wardens, 
 that the elements be of the beft, not cheap, or coarfe, 
 much lefs ill-tafted, or unwholefome. Secondly, he 
 confiders and looks into the ignorance or careleffhefs 
 of his flock, and accordingly applies himfelf with 
 Catechizings and lively exhortations, not on the Sun- 
 day of the Communion only (for then it is too late) 
 but the Sunday, or Sundays before the Communion, or 
 on the Eves of all thofe days. If there be any, who 
 having not received yet, is to enter into this great 
 Work, he takes the more pains with them, that he 
 may lay the foundation of future Bleflings. The time 
 of every one's firft receiving is not fo much by years, 
 as by underftanding: particularly the Rule may be this : 
 When any one can diftinguifh the facramental from 
 common bread, knowing the inftitution, and the differ- 
 ence, he ought to receive, of what age foever. Chil- 
 dren and youths are ufually deferred too long, under 
 pretence of devotion to the Sacrament, but it is for 
 want of Inftruc~tion ; their understandings being ripe 
 enough for ill things, and why not then for better ? 
 But Parents and Mafters mould make hafte in this, as 
 to a great purchafe for their children and fervants ; 
 which while they defer, both fides fuffer ; the one, 
 in wanting many excitings of grace, the other, in 
 being worfe ferved and obeyed. The faying of the 
 
262 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Catechifm is neceflary, but not enough ; becaufe to 
 anfwer in form may ftill admit ignorance : but the 
 Queftions muft be propounded loofely and wildly, and 
 then the Anfwerer will difcover what he is. Thirdly, 
 for the manner of receiving, as the Parfon ufeth all 
 reverence himfelf, fo he adminifters to none but to 
 the reverent. The feaft indeed requires fitting, be- 
 caufe it is a Feaft ; but man's unpreparednefs afks 
 kneeling. He that comes to the Sacrament, hath the 
 confidence of a Gueft, and he that kneels, confefleth 
 himfelf an unworthy one, and therefore differs from other 
 Feafters : but he that fits, or lies, puts up to an 
 Apoftle : Contentioufnefs in a feaft of Charity is more 
 fcandal than any pofture. Fourthly, Touching the 
 frequency of the Communion, the Parfon celebrates it, 
 if not duly once a month, yet at leaft five or fix times 
 in the year : as, at Eafter, Chriftmas, Whitfuntide, 
 before and after Harveft, and the beginning of Lent. 
 And this he doth, not only for the benefit of the work, 
 but alfo for the difcharge of the Church-Wardens, who 
 being to prefent all that receive not thrice a year ; if 
 there be but three Communions, neither can all the 
 people fo order their affairs as to receive juft at thofe 
 times, nor the Church-Wardens fo well take notice 
 who receive thrice, and who not. 
 
 Chap. XXIII. 
 
 THE PARSON'S COMPLETENESS. 
 
 THE Country Parfon defires to be All to his 
 Pariih, and not only a Paftor, but a Lawyer alfo, 
 and a Phyfician. Therefore he endures not that any 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 263 
 
 of his flock fhould go to Law; but in any Contro- 
 verfy, that they fhould rcfort to him as their judge. 
 To this end, he hath gotten to himfelf fome in fight in 
 things ordinarily incident and controverted, by expe- 
 rience, and by reading fome initiatory Treatifes in the 
 Law, with Dalton's* Juftice of Peace, and the Abridg- 
 ments of the Statutes, as alfo by difcourfe with men of 
 that profemon, whom he hath ever fome cafes to afk, 
 when he meets with them ; holding that rule, that to 
 put men to difcourfe of that, wherein they are moft 
 eminent, is the moft gainful way of Converfation. 
 Yet whenever any controverfy is brought to him, he 
 never decides it alone ; but fends for three or four of 
 the ableft of the Parifh to hear the caufe with him, 
 whom he makes to deliver their opinion firft ; out of 
 which he gathers, in cafe he be ignorant himfelf, what 
 to hold ; and fo the thing paffeth with more authority, 
 and lefs envy ; in judging he follows that, which is 
 altogether right : fo that if the pooreft man of the 
 Parifh detain but a pin unjuftly from the richeft, 
 he abfolutely reftores it as a Judge ; but when he 
 hath fo done, then he affumes the Parfon, and ex- 
 horts to Charity. Neverthelefs, there may happen 
 fometimes fome cafes, wherein he choofeth to permit 
 his Parifhioners rather to make ufe of the Law than 
 himfelf: As in cafes of an obfeure and dark nature, 
 not eafily determinable by Lawyers themfelves ; or in 
 cafes of high confequence, as eftablifhing of inheri- 
 tances : or Laftly, when the perfons are of a conten- 
 tious difpofition, and cannot be gained, but that they 
 ftill fall from all compromifes that have been made. 
 But then he mews them how to go to Law, even as 
 Brethren, and not as enemies, neither avoiding there- 
 
 * Michael Dalton, born 1554, died about the time of the Civil 
 War j he wrote the ( Burns's Juitice of the 17th century. 
 
264 Herbert's prose works 
 
 fore one another's company, much lefs defaming one 
 another. Now as the Parfon is in Law, fo is he in fick- 
 nefs alfo : if there be any of his flock fick, he is their 
 Phyfician, or at leaft his Wife, of whom, inftead of the 
 qualities of the world, he afks no other, but to have 
 the fkill of healing a wound, or helping the fick. But 
 if neither himfelf, nor his Wife have the fkill, and his 
 means ferve, he keeps fome young practitioner in his 
 houfe for the benefit of his pariih, whom yet he ever 
 exhorts not to exceed his bounds, but in difficult cafes 
 to call in help. If all fail, then he keeps good corre- 
 fpondence with fome neighbour Phyfician, and enter- 
 tains him for the Cure of his Parifh. Yet it is eafy 
 for any Scholar to attain to fuch a meafure of Phyfic, 
 as may be of much ufe to him both for himfelf, and 
 others. This is done by feeing one Anatomy, reading 
 one Book of Phyfic, having one Herbal by him. And 
 let Fernelius* be the Phyfic Author, for he writes 
 briefly, neatly, and judicioufly : efpecially let his 
 method of Phyfic be diligently perufed, as being 
 the practical part, and of moft ufe. Now both the 
 reading of him, and the knowing of herbs may 
 be done at fuch times, as they may be a help and 
 a recreation, to more divine ftudies, Nature ferving 
 Grace both in comfort of diverfion, and the benefit 
 of application, when need requires : as alfo, by 
 way of illuftration, even as our Saviour made plants 
 and feeds to teach the people : for he was the true 
 houfeholder, who bringeth out of his treafure things 
 new and old ; the old things of Philofophy, and the 
 new of Grace ; and maketh the one ferve the other. 
 And I conceive, our Saviour did this for Three 
 Reafons : Firft, that bv familiar things he might make 
 
 * John Francis Fernel, phyfician to Henry II. of France $ 
 born about 1506, died 1558. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLB. 
 
 his Doctrine flip the more cafily into the hearts even 
 of the meaneft. Secondly, that labouring people 
 (whom he chiefly confidered) might have every where 
 monuments of his Doctrine, remembering in Gardens, 
 his Muftard-feed, and Lilies ; in the Field, his Seed- 
 Corn, and Tares ; and fo not be drowned altogether m 
 the works of their vocation, but fometimes lift up their 
 minds to better things, even in the midft of their pains. 
 Thirdly, that he might fet a copy for Parfons. In the 
 knowledge of fimples, wherein the manifold wifdom of 
 God is wonderfully to be feen, one thing mould be 
 carefully obferved ; which is to know what herbs may 
 be ufed inftead of drugs of the fame nature, and to 
 make the garden the (hop : for home-bred medicines 
 are both more eafy for the Parfon's Purfe, and more 
 familiar for all men's bodies. So, where the Apothe- 
 cary ufeth either for loofing, Rhubarb ; or for binding, 
 Bolearmena, the Parfon ufeth Damafk or white Rofes 
 for the one, and Plaintain, Shepherd's purfe, Knot-grafs, 
 for the other, and that with better fuccefs. As for 
 fpices, he doth not only prefer home-bred things before 
 them, but condemns them for vanities, and fo fhuts 
 them out of his Family, efteeming that there is no 
 Spice comparable, for Herbs, to Rofemary, Thyme, 
 Savory, Mints ; and for Seeds, to Fennel, and Carra- 
 way feeds. Accordingly for Salves, his Wife feeks 
 not the City, but prefers her Garden and Fields, before 
 all Outlandifh Gums. And furely Hyflbp, Valerian, 
 Mercury, Adder's tongue, Verrow, Melilot, and St. 
 John's-wort made into a Salve ; and Elder, Camomile, 
 Mallows, Comphrey and Smallage made into a Poultice, 
 have done great and rare Cures. In curing of any, 
 the Parfon and his Family ufe to premife prayers, for 
 this is to cure like a Parfon, and this raiicth the a£tion 
 from the fhop, to the church. But though the Parfon 
 fets forward all charitable deeds, yet he looks not in 
 
266 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 this point of curing beyond his own parifh, except the 
 perfon be fo poor, that he is not able to reward the 
 Phyfician : for as he is charitable, fo he is juft alfo. 
 Now it is a juftice and debt to the Commonwealth he 
 lives in, not to encroach on others' Profeffions, but to 
 live on his own. And juftice is the ground of Charity. 
 
 Chap. XXIV. 
 
 THE PARSON'S ARGUING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, if there be any of his Parifh 
 that hold ftrange Doctrines, ufeth all poffible 
 diligence to reduce them to the Common Faith. The 
 Firft means he ufeth is Prayer, befeeching the Father 
 of lights to open their eyes, and to give him power fo 
 to fit his difcourfe to them, that it may effectually pierce 
 their hearts, and convert them. The fecond means is 
 a very loving, and fweet ufage of them, both in going 
 to, and fending for them often, and in finding out 
 courtefies to place on them ; as in their Tithes, or 
 otherwife. The third means is the Obfervation, what 
 is the main Foundation and Pillar of their caufe, 
 whereon they rely ; as if he be a Papift, the Church is 
 the hinge he turns on ; if a Schifmatic, fcandal.* 
 Wherefore the Parfon hath diligently examined thefe 
 two with himfelf, as " What the Church is, How it 
 began ; how it proceeded ; whether it be a rule to 
 itfelf; whether it hath a rule ; whether having a rule, 
 it ought not to be guided by it j whether any rule in 
 
 * He ufes the word in its true fenfe of a ftumbling-block in 
 the road. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 267 
 
 the world be obfcure ; and how then fhould the beft be 
 fo, at leaft in fundamental things ; the obfcurity in 
 fome points being the exercife of the Church, the light 
 in the foundations being the guide ; The church need- 
 ing both an evidence and an exercife. So for Scandal : 
 What fcandal is, when given or taken ; whether there 
 being two precepts, one of obeying authority, the other 
 of not giving fcandal, that ought not to be preferred, 
 efpecially fince in difobeying there is fcandal alfo : 
 whether things once indifferent, being made by the 
 precept of Authority more than indifferent, it be in our 
 power to omit or refufe them." Thefe and the like 
 points he hath accurately digefted, having ever befides 
 two great helps and powerful perfuaders on his fide ; 
 the one, a ftricT: religious life ; the other an humble and 
 ingenuous fearch of truth, being unmoved in arguing, 
 and void of all contentioufnefs : which are two great 
 lights able to dazzle the eyes of the milled, while they 
 confider, that God cannot be wanting to them in 
 Doclrine, to whom he is fo gracious in Life. 
 
 Chap. XXV. 
 
 THE PARSON PUNISHING. 
 
 WHENSOEVER the Country Parfon proceeds 
 fo far as to call in Authority, and to do fuch 
 things of legal oppofition either in the prefenting or 
 punifliing of any, as the vulgar ever conftrues for figns 
 of ill-will : he forbears not in any wife to ufe the delin- 
 quent as before, in his behaviour and carriage towards 
 him, not avoiding his company, or doing anything of 
 averfenefs, fave in the very acl: of punifhment : neither 
 
268 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 doth he efteem him for an enemy, but as a brother ftill, 
 except fome fmall and temporary eftranging may 
 corroborate the punifliment to a better fubduing and 
 humbling of the delinquent ; which if it happily take 
 effect, he then comes on the fafter, and makes fo 
 much the more of him, as before he alienated himfelf; 
 doubling his regards, and fhewing by all means, that 
 the delinquent's return is to his advantage. 
 
 Chap. XXVI. 
 
 THE PARSON'S EYE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon at fpare times from action, 
 ftanding on a Hill, and confidering his Flock, 
 diicovers two forts of vices, and two forts of vicious 
 perfons. There are fome vices, whofe natures are 
 always clear, and evident, as Adultery, Murder, Hatred, 
 Lying, &c. There are other vices, whofe natures, at 
 leaft in the beginning, are dark and obfcure ; as Cove- 
 toufnefs, and Gluttony. So likewife there are fome 
 perfons, who abftain not even from known fins -, there 
 are others, who when they know a fin evidently, they 
 commit it not. It is true, indeed, they are long a 
 knowing it, being partial to themfelves, and witty to 
 others who fhall reprove them for it. A man may be 
 both covetous, and Intemperate, and yet hear Sermons 
 againft both, and himfelf condemn both in good earneft : 
 and the reafon hereof is, becaufe the natures of thefe 
 vices being not evidently difcuffed or known commonly, 
 the beginnings of them are not eafily obfervable : and 
 the beginnings of them are not obferved, becaufe of the 
 fudden palling from that which was juft now lawful, to 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 269 
 
 that which is prefently unlawful, even in one continued 
 action. So a man dining, eats at firft lawfully -, but 
 proceeding on, comes to do unlawfully, even before he 
 is aware ; not knowing the bounds of the action, nor 
 when his eating begins to be unlawful. So a man 
 ftoring up money for his neceiTary provifions, both in 
 prefent for his family, and in future for his children, 
 hardly perceives when his ftoring becomes unlawful : 
 yet is there a period for his ftoring, and a point, or 
 centre, when his ftoring, which was even now good, 
 pafleth from good to bad. Wherefore the Parfon being 
 true to his bufinefs, hath exactly fifted the definitions 
 of all virtues and vices ; efpecially canvafting thofe, 
 whofe natures are moft ftealing, and beginnings uncer- 
 tain. Particularly, concerning thefe two vices, not 
 becaufe they are all that are of this dark and creeping 
 difpofition, but for example fake, and becaufe they are 
 moft common, he thus thinks : Firft, for Covetouf- 
 nefs, he lays this ground : Whofoever when a juft 
 occafion calls, either fpends not at all, or not in fome pro- 
 portion to God's blefting upon him, is covetous. The 
 reafon of the ground is manifeft, becaufe wealth is 
 given to that end, to fupply our occafions. Now, if 
 1 do not give every thing its end, I abufe the creature, 
 I am falfe to my reafon which fhould guide me, I 
 offend the fupreme Judge, in perverting that order 
 which he hath fet both to things, and to reafon. The 
 application of the ground would be infinite ; but in 
 brief, a poor man is an occafion, my Country is an 
 occafion, my friend is an occafion, my Table is an 
 occafion, my apparel is an occafion : if in all thefe, 
 and thofe more which concern me, I either do nothing, 
 or pinch, and fcrape, and fqueeze blood indecently to 
 the ftation wherein God hath placed me, I am Covet- 
 ous. More particularly, and to give one inftance for 
 all, if God have given me fervants, and I either pro- 
 
27O HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 vide too little for them, or that which is unwholefome, 
 being fometimes baned * meat, fometimes too fait, and 
 and fo not competent nourifhment, I am Covetous. 
 I bring this example, becaufe men ufually think, that 
 fervants for their money are as other things that they 
 buy, even as a piece of wood, which they may cut, or 
 hack, or throw into the fire, and fo they pay them their 
 wages, all is well. Nay, to defcend yet more par- 
 ticularly, if a man have wherewithal to buy a fpade, 
 and yet he choofeth rather to ufe his neighbour's, and 
 wear out that, he is covetous. Neverthelefs, few 
 bring covetoufnefs thus low, or confide r it fo narrowly, 
 which yet ought to be done, fince " there is a juftice 
 in the leaft things, and for the leaft there mail be 
 a judgment." Country people are full of thefe petty 
 injuftices, being cunning to make ufe of another and 
 fpare themfelves : And Scholars ought to be diligent 
 in the obfervation of thefe, and driving of their general 
 School-rules ever to the fmalleft actions of Life ; which 
 while they dwell in their Books, they will never find ; 
 but being feated in the Country, and doing their duty 
 faithfully, they will foon difcover : efpecially if they 
 carry their eyes ever open, and fix them on their 
 charge, and not on their preferment. Secondly, for 
 Gluttony, The Parfon lays this ground, He that either 
 for quantity eats more than his health or employments 
 will bear, or for quality is lickeriih after dainties, is a 
 Glutton ; as he that eats more than his eftate will bear, 
 is a Prodigal : and he that eats ofFenfively to the Com- 
 pany, either in his order, or length of eating, is fcan- 
 dalous and uncharitable. Thefe three rules generally 
 comprehend the faults of " eating, and the truth of 
 " them needs no proof: fo that men muft eat, neither 
 to the disturbance of their health, nor of their affairs, 
 
 * Poifoned, or corrupted. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 27I 
 
 which, being over-burdened or ftudying dainties too 
 much, they cannot well difpatch), nor of their eftate, 
 nor of their brethren." One act in thefe things is 
 bad, but it is the cuftom and habit that names a Glutton. 
 Many think they are more at liberty than they are, as 
 if they were Mafters of their health, and fo they will 
 ftand to the pain, all is well. But to eat to one's hurt 
 comprehends, befides the hurt, an act againft reafbn, 
 becaufe it is unnatural to hurt onefelf ; and this they 
 are not Mafters of. Yet of hurtful things, I am more 
 bound to abftain from thofe, which by my own expe- 
 rience I have found hurtful, than from thofe which by 
 a common tradition, and vulgar knowledge are reputed 
 to be fo. That which is faid of hurtful meats extends 
 to hurtful drinks also. As for the quantity, touching 
 our employments, none muft eat fo as to difable them- 
 felves from a fit difcharging either of Divine duties, or 
 duties of their calling. So that if after Dinner they are 
 not fit (or unwieldy) either to pray, or work, they are 
 Gluttons. Not that all muft prefently work after Din- 
 ner, for they rather muft not work, (especially Students, 
 and thofe that are weakly); but that they muft rife fo, 
 as that it is not meat, or drink, that hinders them from 
 working. To guide them in this, there are Three 
 Rules : Firft, the cuftom and knowledge of their own 
 body, and what it can well digeft : The fecond, the 
 feeling of themfelves in time of eating, which, becaufe 
 it is deceitful, (for one thinks in eating, that he can 
 eat more, than afterwards he finds true): — The third is 
 the obfervation with what appetite they fit down. This 
 laft rule joined with the firft, never fails. For know- 
 ing what one ufually can well digeft, and feeling when 
 I go to meat in what difpofition I am, either hungry or 
 not, according as I feel myfelf, either I take my wonted 
 proportion, or diminim of it. Yet Phyficians bid thofe 
 that would live in health, not keep a uniform diet, but 
 
2J2 HERBERT s PROSE WORKS. 
 
 to feed variouily, now more, now lefs : and Gerfon,^ 
 a fpiritual man, wifheth all to incline rather to too 
 much, than to too little ; his reafon is, becaufe dif- 
 eafes of exinanition are more dangerous than difeafes of 
 repletion. But the Parfon diftinguifheth according to 
 his double aim, either of Abftinence a Moral virtue, or 
 Mortification a Divine. When he deals with any that 
 is heavy and carnal, he gives him thofe freer rules ; 
 but when he meets with a refined, and heavenly dif- 
 pofition, he carries them higher, even fometimes to a 
 forgetting of themfelves, knowing that there is One, 
 who, when they forget, remembers for them ; As when 
 the people hungered and thirfted after our Saviour's 
 Doctrine, and tarried fo long at it, that they would 
 have fainted had they returned empty, he fuffered it 
 not ; but rather made food miraculouily, than fufrered 
 fo good defires to mifcarry. 
 
 Chap. XXVII. 
 
 THE PARSON IN MIRTH. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is generally fad, becaufe he 
 knows nothing but the Crofs of Chrift, his mind 
 being defixed on it, with thofe nails wherewith his 
 Mafter was : or if he have any leifure to look off 
 from thence, he meets continually with two moft fad 
 fpectacles, Sin and Mifery; God dimonoured every 
 day -, and man afflicted. Neverthelefs, he fometimes 
 
 * A very celebrated Frenchman (b. 1363, d. 1429), who re- 
 ceived the title of " Molt Chriftian Doctor." Du Pin edited his 
 works, in five volumes. Cave, writing fifty years after Herbert's 
 death, promifes abundant fruit to the ftudent of Gerfon. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2J'^ 
 
 refrefheth himfelf, as knowing that Nature will not 
 bear cverlafting droopings, and that pleafantnefs of 
 difpofition is a great key to do good ; not only becaufe 
 all men fhun the company of perpetual feverity, hut 
 alio for that when they are in company, inftrudtions 
 feafoned with pleafantnefs, both enter fooner, and root 
 deeper. Wherefore he condefcends to human frailties 
 both in himfelf and others ; and intermingles fome 
 mirth in his difcourfes occafionally, according to the 
 pulfe of the hearer 
 
 Chap. XXVIII. 
 
 THE PARSON IN CONTEMPT. 
 
 THE Country Parfon knows well, that both for 
 the general ignominy which is caft upon the pro- 
 fefiion, and much more for thofe rules, which out of 
 his choiceft judgment, he hath refolved to obferve, and 
 which are defcribed in this Book, he muft be defpifed ; 
 becaufe this hath been the portion of God his Mafter, 
 and of God's Saints his Brethren, and this is foretold, 
 that it mall be fo ftill, until things be no more. Never- 
 thelcfs, according to the Apoftle's rule, he endeavours 
 that none (hall defpife him ; efpecially in his own 
 Parifh, he fuffers it not to his utmoft power ; for that, 
 where contempt is, there is no room for inftruction. 
 This he procures, Firft, by his Holy and unblameable 
 life ; which carries a reverence with it, even above 
 contempt. Secondly, by a courteous carriage, and 
 winning behaviour : he that will be refpected, muft 
 refpecl: ; doing kindneffes, but receiving none ; at leaft 
 of thofe, who are apt to defpife : for this argues a 
 height and eminency of mind, which is not eafily 
 
 T 
 
274 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 defpifed, except it degenerate to pride. Thirdly, by a 
 bold and impartial reproof, even of the beft in the 
 Parifh, when occafion requires : for this may produce 
 hatred in thofe that are reproved, but never- contempt 
 either in them, or others.* Laftly, if the contempt 
 mall proceed fo far as to do any thing punifhable by 
 Law, as contempt is apt to do, if it be not thwarted, 
 the Parfon having a due refpect both to the perfon and 
 to the caufe, referreth the whole matter to the exami- 
 nation and punifhment of thofe which are in Authority ; 
 that fo the fentence lighting upon one, the example 
 may reach to all. But if the Contempt be not punifh- 
 able by Law, or being fo, the Parfon think it in his 
 difcretion either unfit, or bootlefs to contend, then 
 when any defpifes him, he takes it either in an humble 
 way, faying nothing at all ; or elfe in a flighting way, 
 fhewing that reproaches touch him no more, than a 
 ftone thrown againft heaven, where he is, and lives ; 
 or in a fad way, grieved at his own, and others' fins, 
 which continually break God's Laws, and difhonour 
 him with thofe mouths, which he continually fills, and 
 feeds : or elfe, in a doctrinal way, faying to the con- 
 temner, Alas, why do you thus ? you hurt yourfelf, 
 not me ; he that throws a ftone at another, hits him- 
 felf ; and fo, between gentle reafoning, and pitying, he 
 overcomes the evil : or laftly, in a Triumphant way, 
 being glad, and joyful, that he is made conformable to 
 his Mafter ; and being in the world as he was, hath 
 this undoubted pledge of his falvation. Thefe are the 
 five fhields, wherewith the godly receive the darts of 
 
 * There was not a man in his way (be he of what rank he 
 would) that fpoke awry, (in order to God) but he wiped his 
 mouth with a modeft grace and Chriftian reproof. And that he 
 did this, I have heard from true reporters. 1 '* — Barnabas Oley, 
 Preface to Country Parfon, 1652. 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2J5 
 
 the wicked ; leaving anger, and retorting, and revenge 
 to the children of the world, whom another's ill maf- 
 tereth, and leadeth captive without any refinance, even 
 in refiftance, to the fame deftruction. For while they 
 refift the perfon that reviles, they refift not the evil 
 which takes hold of them, and is far the worft enemy. 
 
 Chap. XXIX. 
 
 THE PARSON WITH HIS 
 C H U R C H-WA R D E N S. 
 
 THE Country Parfon doth often, both publickly 
 and privately, inftrudt his Church-Wardens, what 
 a great Charge lies upon them, and that indeed the 
 whole order and difcipline of the parifh is put into 
 their hands. If himfelf reform any thing, it is out of 
 the overflowing of his Confcience, whereas they are 
 to do it by Command, and by Oath. Neither hath 
 the place its dignity from the Ecclefiaftical Laws only, 
 fince even by the Common Statute-Law, they are 
 taken for a kind of Corporation, as being perfons 
 enabled by that Name to take moveable goods, or 
 chattels, and to fue, and to be fued at Law concerning 
 fuch goods, for the ufe and profit of their Parifh : and 
 by the fame Law they are to levy penalties for negli- 
 gence in reforting to Church, or for diforderly carriage 
 in time of Divine Service. Wherefore the Parfon 
 fuffers not the place to be vilified or debafed, by being 
 caft on the lower rank of people ; but invites and 
 urges the beft unto it fhewing that they do not lofe, or 
 go lefs, but gain by it ; it being the greateft honour of 
 
 T 2 
 
276 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 this world, to do God and his chofen fervice ; or as 
 David fays, to be even a door-keeper in the houfe of 
 God. Now the Canons being the Church- Warden's 
 Rule, the Parfon advifeth them to read, or hear them 
 often, asalfo the Vifitation Articles, which are grounded 
 upon the Canons, that fo they may know their duty, 
 and keep their Oath the better ; in which regard, con- 
 sidering the great Confequence of their place, and 
 more of their Oath, he wifheth them by no means to 
 fpare any, though never fo great ; but if after gentle 
 and neighbourly admonitions, they ftill perfift in ill, to 
 prefent them ; yea though they be Tenants, or other- 
 wife engaged to the delinquent : for their obligation to 
 God, and their own foul, is above any temporal tie. 
 Do well and right, and let the world fink. 
 
 Chap. XXX. 
 
 THE PARSON'S CONSIDERATION OF 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 THE Country Parfon, confidering the great aptnefs, 
 Country people have to think that all things come 
 by a kind of natural courfe ; and that if they fow and 
 foil their grounds, they muft have corn ; if they keep 
 and fodder well their cattle, they muft have milk, and 
 Calves : labours to reduce them to fee God's hand in 
 all things, and to believe, that things are not fet in fuch 
 an inevitable order, but that God often changeth it 
 according as he fees fit, either for reward or punilh- 
 ment. To this end he reprefents to his flock, that 
 God hath, and exercifeth a threefold Power in every 
 thing which concerns man. The Firft is a fuftaining 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 277 
 
 power ; the Second, a governing power : the Third, a 
 Spiritual power. By his fuftaining power he preferves 
 
 and actuates every thing in his being ; fo that corn doth 
 not grow by any other virtue, than by that which he 
 continually fupplies, as the corn needs it ; without 
 which fupply the corn would inftantly dry up, as a 
 river would, if the fountain were flopped. And it is 
 obfervable, that if any thing could prefume of an 
 inevitable courfe, and conflancy in their operations 
 certainly it fhould be either the Sun in heaven, or the 
 fire on earth, by reafon of their fierce, ftrong, and 
 violent natures ; yet when God pleafed, the Sun flood 
 ft ill, the fire burned not. By God's governing power 
 he preferves and orders the references of things one to 
 the other, fo that though the corn do grow, and be 
 preferved in that a£l by his fuftaining power, yet if he 
 iuit not other things to the growth, as feafons, and 
 weather, and other accidents, by his governing power, 
 the faireftharvefts come to nothing. And it is obfervable, 
 that God delights to have men feel, and acknowledge, 
 and reverence his power, and therefore he often over- 
 turns things, when they are thought pafl danger ; that 
 is his time of interpofing : As when a Merchant hath 
 a ifhip come home after many a ftorm, which it hath 
 efcaped, he deftroys it fometimes in the very Haven ; 
 or if the goods be houfed, a fire hath broken forth, and 
 fuddenly confumed them. Now this he doth, that men 
 mould perpetuate, and not break off* their acts of de- 
 pendence, how fair foever the opportunities prefent 
 themfelves. So that if a Farmer mould depend upon 
 God all the year, and being ready to put hand to fickle, 
 fhall then fecure himfclf, and think all cock fure ; * 
 then God fends fuch weather, as lays the corn, and 
 
 Quite certain 5 a phrafe traced from Skelton to Pope. 
 
278 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 deftroys it : or if he depend on God further, even till 
 he imbarn his corn, and then think all fure ; God 
 fends a fire and confumes all that he hath : For that 
 he ought not to break off*, but to continue his depend- 
 ence on God, not only before the corn is inned, but 
 after alfo ; and, indeed, to depend, and fear continually. 
 The third power is fpiritual, by which God turns all 
 outward blefiings to inward advantages. So that if a 
 Farmer hath both a fair harveft, and that alfo well 
 inned, and imbarned, and continuing fafe there ; yet if 
 God give him not the Grace to ufe and utter this well, 
 all his advantages are to his lofs. Better were his corn 
 burnt, than not fpiritually improved. And it is ob- 
 servable in this, how God's goodnefs ftrives with man's 
 refractorinefs ; Man would fit down at this world, God 
 bids him fell it, and purchafe a better ; Juft as a Father 
 who hath in his hand an apple, and a piece of gold 
 under it ; the Child comes, and with pulling, gets 
 the apple out of his Father's hand : his Father bids 
 him throw it away, and he will give him the gold for 
 it, which the Child utterly refufing, eats it, and is 
 troubled with worms : So is the carnal and wilful man 
 with the worm of the grave in this world, and the 
 worm of Confcience in the next. 
 
 Chap. XXXI. 
 
 THE PARSON IN LIBERTY. 
 
 THE Country Parfon obferving the manifold wiles 
 of Satan (who plays his part fometimes in drawing 
 God's Servants from him, fometimes in perplexing 
 them in the fervice of God) (lands fail in the Liberty 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 279 
 
 wherewith Chrift hath made us free. This liberty he 
 compaffeth by one Diftinction, and that is, of what is 
 NecefTary, and what is Additionary. As for example : 
 It is necefTary that all Chriftians mould pray twice 
 a day, every day of the week, and four times on 
 Sunday, if they be well. This is fo necefTary, and 
 efTential to a Chriftian, that he cannot without this 
 maintain himfelf in a Chriftian ftate. Befides this, 
 the Godly have ever added fome hours of prayer, as at 
 nine, or at three, or at midnight, or as they think fit, 
 and fee caufe, or rather as God's fpirit leads them. 
 But thefe prayers are not NecefTary, but Additionary. 
 Now it fo happens, that the godly petitioner, upon fome 
 emergent interruption in the day, or by overlleeping 
 himfelf at night, omits his additionary prayer. Upon 
 this his mind begins to be perplexed, and troubled, and 
 Satan, who knows the exigent, blows the fire, endea- 
 vouring to diforder the Chriftian, and put him out of 
 his ftation, and to enlarge the perplexity, until it fpread, 
 and taint his other duties of piety, which none can per- 
 form fo well in trouble, as in calmnefs. Here the 
 Parfon interpofeth with His Diftinction, and mews the 
 perplexed Chriftian, that this prayer being additionary, 
 not necefTary, taken in, not commanded, the omiilion 
 thereof upon juft occafion ought by no means to trouble 
 him. God knows the occafion, as well as he, and He 
 is as a gracious Father, who more accepts a common 
 courfe of devotion, than diflikes an occafional interrup- 
 tion. And of this he is fo to aflure himfelf, as to admit 
 no fcruple, but to go on as cheerfully, as if he had not 
 been interrupted. By this it is evident that the Dif~ 
 tinction is of fingular ufe and comfort, efpecially to 
 pious minds, which are ever tender, and delicate. But 
 here there are Two Cautions to be added. Firft, that 
 this interruption proceed not out of flacknefs, or cold- 
 nefs, which will appear if the Pious foul forefee and 
 
280 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 prevent fuch interruptions, what he may, before they 
 come, and when for all that they do come, he be 
 a little affected therewith, but not afflicted, or troubled ; 
 if he refent it to a miflike, but not a grief. Secondly, 
 that this interruption proceed not out of fhame. As 
 for example : A godly man, not out of fuperftition, but 
 of reverence to God's houfe, refolves whenever he 
 enters into a Church, to kneel down and pray, either 
 bleffing God, that he will be pleafed to dwell among 
 men ; or befeeching him, that whenever he repairs to 
 his houfe, he may behave himfelf fo as befits fo great a 
 prefence ; and this briefly. But it happens that near 
 the place where he is to pray, he fpies fome fcoffing 
 ruffian, who is likely to deride him for his pains : if he 
 now, (hall either for fear or fhame, break his cuftom, 
 he mall do paffing ill; fo much the rather ought he 
 to proceed, as that by this he may take into his Prayer 
 humiliation alfo. On the other fide, if I am to vifit 
 the fick in hafte, and my neareft way lie through the 
 Church, I will not doubt to go without flaying to pray 
 there (but only, as I pafs, in my heart) becaufe this 
 kind of Prayer is additionary, not necefTary, and the 
 other duty overweighs it : So that if any fcruple arife, 
 I will throw it away, and be moft confident, that God 
 is not difpleafed. This diftinction may run through all 
 Chriitian duties, and it is a great ftay and fettling to 
 religious fouls. 
 
 Chap. XXXII. 
 
 THE PARSON'S SURVEYS. 
 
 THE Country Parfon hath not only taken aparticular 
 Survey of the faults of hisown Parilh,but ageneral 
 
A PRIEST TO TIIF. TEMPLE. 28 1 
 
 alfo of the difeafes of the time, that fo, when his occa- 
 fions carry him abroad, or bring ftrangers to him, he may 
 be the better armed to encounter them. The great and 
 national fin of this land he efteems to be idlenefs; great 
 in itfelf, and great in Confequence : For when men have- 
 nothing to do, then they fall to drink, to fleal, to whore, 
 to feoff, to revile, to all forts of gamings. Come, fay 
 they, we have nothing to do, let's go to the Tavern, or 
 to the Stews, or what not ? Wherefore the Parfon 
 ftrongly oppofeth this fin, wherefoever he goes- And 
 becaufe Idlenefs is twofold, the one in having no calling, 
 the other in walking careleiTly in our calling, he firft 
 reprefents to every body the neceflity of a vocation. 
 The reafon of this affertion is taken from the nature of 
 man, wherein God hath placed two great inftruments, 
 Reafon in the Soul, and a hand in the Body, as engage- 
 ments of working ; fo that even in Paradife man had a 
 Calling, and how much more out of Paradife, when the 
 evils which he is now fubjecl: unto, may be prevented, 
 or diverted by reafonable employment. Befides, even/ 
 gift or ability is a talent to be accounted for, and to be 
 improved to our Matter's Advantage. Yet it is alfo a 
 debt to our country to have a Calling ; and it concerns 
 the Commonwealth, that none mould be idle, but all 
 bufied. Laftly, riches are the blemng of God, and the 
 great inftxument of doing admirable good ; therefore all 
 are to procure them honeftly and feafonably when they 
 are not better employed. Now this reafon croffeth not 
 our Saviour's precept of felling what we have, becaufe 
 when we have fold all, and given it to the poor, we muft 
 not be idle, but labour to get more, that we may give 
 more, according to St. Paul's rule, Ephefians iv. 28 ; 
 1 Theffalonians iv. II, 12. So that our Saviour's felling 
 is fo far from crofting Saint Paul's working, that it rather 
 eftablimeth it, fince they that have nothing, are fitted to 
 work. Now becaufe the only oppofer to this Doctrine 
 
282 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 is the Gallant, who is witty enough to abufe both others, 
 and himfelf, and who is ready to afk, if he fhall mend 
 fhoes, or what he fhall do ? — Therefore the Parfon un- 
 moved, fheweth, that ingenuous and fit employment is 
 never wanting to thofe that feek it. But if it mould be, 
 the Affertion ftands thus : All are either to have a 
 Calling, or prepare for it : He that hath or can have 
 yet no employment, if he truly and ferioufly prepare 
 for it, he is fafe and within bounds. Wherefore all are 
 either prefently to enter into a Calling, if they be fit for 
 it, and it for them \ or elfe to examine with care, and 
 advice, what they are fitteft for, and to prepare for that 
 with all diligence. But it will not be amifs in this ex- 
 ceeding ufeful point to defcend to particulars; for exact- 
 nefs lies in particulars. Men are either fingle, or married ; 
 The married and houfekeeper hath his hands full, if he 
 do what he ought to do. For there are two branches 
 of his affairs ; firft, the improvement of his family, by 
 bringing them up in the fear and nurture of the Lord ; 
 and fecondly, the improvement of his grounds, by drown- 
 ing, or draining, or flocking, or fencing, and ordering 
 his land to the beft advantage both of himfelf and his 
 neighbours. The Italian fays, None fouls his hands in 
 his own bufinefs ; and it is an honeft, and juft care, fo 
 it exceed not bounds, for everyone to employ himfelf to 
 the advancement of his affairs, that he may have where- 
 withal to do good. But his family is his beft care, to 
 labour Chriftian fouls, and raife them to their height, 
 even to heaven : to drefs and prune them, and take as 
 much joy in a ftraight-growing child, or fervant, as a 
 Gardener doth in a choice Tree. Could men find out 
 this delight, they would feldom be from home ; whereas 
 now, of any place they are leaft there. But if after all 
 this care well difpatched, the houfekeeper's Family be 
 fo fmall, and his dexterity fo great, that he have leifure 
 to look out, the village or Parifn which either he lives 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 283 
 
 in, or is near unto it, is his employment. He confiders 
 
 every one there, and either helps them in particular, or 
 hath general Propofitions to the whole Town or Hamlet, 
 of advancing the public Stock, and managing Commons, 
 or Woods, according as the place fuggefts. But if he 
 may be of the Commiffion of Peace, there is nothing to 
 that : No Commonwealth in the world hath a braver 
 Inftitution than that of Juftices of the Peace : for it is 
 both a fecurity to the King, who hath fo many difperfed 
 Officers at his beck throughout the Kingdom, ac- 
 countable for the public good ; and alfo an honourable 
 employment of a Gentle, or Nobleman in the Coun- 
 try he lives in, enabling him with power to do good, 
 and to reftrain all thofe, who elfe might both trouble 
 him and the whole State. Wherefore it behoves all, 
 who are come to the gravity and ripenefs of judgment 
 for fo excellent a Place, not to refufe, but rather to 
 procure it. And whereas there are ufually three Ob- 
 jections made againft the Place ; the one, the abufe of 
 it, by taking petty Country bribes ; the other, the 
 cafting of it on mean perfons, efpecially in fome Shires ; 
 and laftly, the trouble of it : Thefe are fo far from 
 deterring any good men from the place, that they kin- 
 dle them rather to redeem the Dignity either from 
 true faults, or unjuft afperfions. Now, for fmgle men, 
 they are either Heirs, or younger Brothers : The Heirs 
 are to prepare in all the fore-mentioned points againft 
 the time of their practice. Therefore they are to mark 
 their Father's difcretion in ordering his Houfe and 
 Affairs ; and alfo elfewhere, when they fee any re- 
 markable point of Education or good hufbandry, and 
 to tranfplant it in time to his own home, with the fame 
 care as others, when they meet with good fruit, get a 
 graft of the Tree, enriching their Orchard, and neg 
 leering their Houfe. Befides, they are to read Books 
 of Law and Juftice ; efpecially the Statutes at large. 
 
284 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 As for better Books of Divinity, they are not in this 
 Confideration, becaufe we are about a Calling, and a 
 preparation thereunto. But chiefly, and above all 
 things, they are to frequent Seflions and Amzes ; for 
 it is both an honour which they owe to the Reverend* 
 Judges and Magiftrates, to attend them at leaft in 
 their Shire ; and it is a great advantage to know the 
 pradtice of the Land ; for our Law is Practice. Some- 
 times he may go to Court, as the eminent place both 
 of good and ill. At other times he is to travel over 
 the King's Dominions, cutting out the Kingdom into 
 Portions, which every year he furveys piece-meal. 
 When there is a Parliament, he is to endeavour by all 
 means to be a Knight or Burgefs there ; for there is no 
 School to a Parliament. And when he is there, he 
 muft not only be a morning man, but at Committees 
 alfo ; for there the particulars are exactly difcufTed, 
 which are brought from thence to the Houfe but in 
 general. When none of thefe occafions call him 
 abroad, every morning that he is at home he muft 
 either ride the Great Horfe, or exercife fome of his 
 Military Poftures. For all gentlemen, that are now 
 weakened, and difarmed with fedentary lives, are to 
 know the ufe of their Arms : and as the Hufbandman 
 labours for them, fo muft they light for, and defend 
 them, when occafion calls. This is the duty of each 
 to other, which they ought to fulfil : and the Parfon is 
 a lover and exciter to juftice in all things, even as 
 John the Baptift fquared out to every one (even to 
 ibldiers) what to do. As for younger Brothers, thofe 
 whom the Parfon finds loofe, and not engaged in fome 
 Profemon by their Parents, whofe neglect in this point 
 :s intolerable, and a fhameful wrong both to the Com- 
 
 * So Bacon : " It is a reverend thing, to fee an ancient caftle 
 or a building not in decay." 
 
A PRIP«T TO THE TEMPLE. 285 
 
 monwealth, and their own Houfe : To them, after he 
 hath mewed the unlawfulnefs of fpending the dav in 
 dreiling, complimenting, vifiting, and (porting, he firft 
 commends the ftudy of the Civil Law, as a brave, and 
 wife knowledge, the Profeflbrs whereof were much 
 employed by Queen Elizabeth, becaufe it is the key of 
 Commerce, and difcovers the rules of foreign Nations. 
 Secondly, he commends the Mathematics, as the only 
 wonder-working knowledge, and therefore requiring 
 the beft fpirits. After the feveral knowledge of thefe, 
 he advifeth to infift and dwell chiefly on the two noble 
 branches thereof, of Fortification and Navigation ; 
 The one being ufeful to all Countries, and the other 
 efpecially to Iflands. But if the young Gallant think 
 thefe Courfes dull, and phlegmatic, where can he bufy 
 himfelf better than in thofe new Plantations,* and dis- 
 coveries, which are not only a noble, but alfo as they 
 may be handled, a religious employment ? Or let him 
 travel into Germany and France, and obferving the 
 Artifices, and Manufactures there, tranfplant them 
 hither, as divers have done lately, to our Country's 
 advantage. 
 
 * There was a great charm for the poetical mind in thefe re- 
 gions. Cowley, writing in 1656, fays in the Preface to his Poems, 
 " My defire has been for fome years paft, (though the execution 
 has been accidentally diverted,) and does ftill vehemently continue, 
 to retire myfclf to iome of our American plantations, not to leek 
 for gold, or enrich myfelf with the traffic of thofe parts (which is 
 the end of moft men that travel thither), but to forlake this world 
 for ever, with all the vanities and vexations of it, and to bury 
 myfelf there in fome obfeure retreat, but not without the confbla- 
 tion of letters and philofophy." 
 
286 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Chap. XXXIII. 
 
 THE PARSON'S LIBRARY. 
 
 THE Country Parfon's Library is a holy Life : for 
 befides the bleffing that that brings upon it, there 
 being a promife, that if the Kingdom of God be firft 
 fought, all other things fhall be added, even itfelf is a 
 Sermon. For the temptations with which a good man 
 is befet, and the ways which he ufed to overcome 
 them, being told to another, whether in private con- 
 ference, or in the Church, are a Sermon. He that 
 hath confidered how to carry himfelf at Table about 
 his appetite, if he tell this to another, preacheth ; and 
 much more feelingly, and judicioufly, than he writes 
 his rules of temperance out of Books. So that the 
 Parfon having ftudied and mattered all his lufts and 
 affections within, and the whole Army of Temptations 
 without, hath ever fo many Sermons ready penned, as 
 he hath victories. And it fares in this as it doth in 
 Phyfic : He that hath been fick of a Confumption, and 
 knows what recovered him, is a Phyfician, fo far as he 
 meets with the fame difeafe, and temper : and can 
 much better, and particularly do it, than he that is 
 generally learned, and was never fick. And if the 
 fame perfon had been fick of all difeafes, and were 
 recovered of all, by things that he knew, there were 
 no fuch Phyfician as he, both for fkill and tendernefs. 
 Juft fo it is in Divinity, and that not without manifeft 
 reafon : for though the temptations may be diverfe in 
 divers Chriftians, yet the victory is alike in all, being 
 by the felf-fame Spirit. Neither is this true only in 
 the military ftate of a Chriftian life, but even in the 
 peaceable alfo ; when the fervant of God, freed for a 
 while from temptation, in a quiet fweetnefs feeks how 
 to pleafe his God. Thus the Parfon confidering that 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 287 
 
 repentance is the great virtue of the Gofpcl, and one 
 of the firft fteps of pleafmg God, having for his own 
 ufe examined the nature of it, is able to explain it after 
 to others. And particularly, having doubted lbme- 
 times, whether his repentance were true, or at leaft in 
 that degree it ought to be, fince he found himfelf fome- 
 times to weep more for the lofs of fome temporal things 
 than for offending God, he came at length to this refo- 
 lution, that repentance is an act of the mind, not of 
 the Body, even as the Original fignifies ; and that the 
 chief thing which God in Scriptures requires, is the 
 heart, and the fpirit, and to worfhip him in truth, and 
 fpirit. Wherefore in cafe a Chriftian endeavour to 
 weep, and cannot, fince we are not Matters of our 
 bodies, this fufficeth. And confequently he found, 
 that the effence of repentance, that it may be alike in 
 all God's children (which as concerning weeping it 
 cannot be, fome being of a more melting temper than 
 others) confifteth in a true deteftation of the foul, ab- 
 horring and renouncing fin, and turning unto God in 
 truth of heart, and newnefs of life : Which acts of 
 repentance are and muft be found in all God's fervants. 
 Not that weeping is not ufeful, where it can be, that 
 fo the body may join in the grief, as it did in the fin ; 
 but that, fo the other acts be, that is not neceflary : 
 fo that he as truly repents who performs the other acts of 
 repentance, when he cannot more, as he that weeps a 
 flood of tears. This inftruction and comfort the Par- 
 fon getting for himfelf, when he tells it to others, 
 becomes a fermon. The like he doth in other Chrif- 
 tian virtues, as of Faith, and Love, and the Cafes of 
 Confcience belonging thereto, wherein (as St. Paul 
 implies that he ought, Romans ii.) he firft preacheth 
 to himfelf, and then to others. 
 
288 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Chap. XXXIV. 
 
 THE PARSON'S DEXTERITY IN 
 APPLYING OF REMEDIES. 
 
 THE Country Parfon knows, that there is a double 
 ftate of a Chriftian, even in this life, the one mili- 
 tary, the other peaceable. The military is, when we 
 are affaulted with temptations either from within or 
 from without. The Peaceable is, when the Devil for 
 a time leaves us, as he did our Saviour, and the angels 
 minifter to us their own food, even joy, and peace, 
 and comfort in the Holy Ghoft. Thefe two ftates 
 were in our Saviour, not only in the beginning of his 
 preaching, but afterwards alfo, as Matth. xxii. 35, He 
 was tempted : And Luke x. 21, He rejoiced in Spirit : 
 And they muft be likewife in all that are his. Now 
 the Parfon having a Spiritual judgment, according as 
 he difcovers any of his Flock to be in one or the other 
 ftate, fo he applies himfelf to them. Thofe that he 
 finds in the peaceable ftate, he advifeth to be very 
 vigilant, and not to let go the reins as foon as the horfe 
 goes eafy. Particularly, he counfelleth them to two 
 things : Firft, to take heed, left their quiet betray them 
 (as it is apt to do) to a coldnefs, and careleflhefs in 
 their devotions, but to labour ftill to be as fervent in 
 Chriftian duties, as they remember themfelves were, 
 when affliction did blow the coals. Secondly, not to 
 take the full compafs and liberty of their Peace : not to 
 eat of all thofe difhes at table, which even their prefent 
 health otherwife admits : nor to ftore their houfe with 
 all thofe furnitures, which even their prefent plenty of 
 wealth otherwife admits ; nor when they are among 
 them that are merry, to extend themfelves to all that 
 mirth, which the prefent occafion of wit and company 
 otherwife admits \ but to put bounds and hoops to 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 289 
 
 their joys : fo will they laft the longer, and when they 
 depart, return the fooner. If we would judge our- 
 felves, we fhould not be judged ; and if we would 
 bound ourfelves, we fhould not be bounded. But if 
 they fhall fear, that at fuch, or fuch a time their peace 
 and mirth have carried them further than this modera- 
 tion, then to take Job's admirable Courfe, who facri- 
 ficed left his Children mould have tranfgreffed in their 
 mirth : fo let them go, and find fome poor afflicted 
 foul, and there be bountiful and liberal ; for with fuch 
 facrifices God is well pleafed. Thofe that the Parfon 
 finds in the military ftate, he fortifies, and ftrengthens 
 with his utmoft fkill. Now in thofe that are tempted, 
 whatfoever is unruly, falls upon Two Heads ; Either 
 they think, that there is none that can or will look 
 after things, but all goes by chance, or wit : Or elfe, 
 though there be a great Governor of all things, yet to 
 them he is loft, as if they faid, God doth forfake and 
 perfecute them, and there is none to deliver them. If 
 the Parfon fufpect the firft, and find fparks of fuch 
 thoughts now and then to break forth, then without 
 oppofing directly (for difputation is no Cure for Atheifm) 
 he fcatters in his difcourfe three forts of Arguments. 
 The Firft taken from Nature, the fecond from the 
 Law, the third from Grace. For Nature, he fees not 
 how a houfe could be either built without a builder, or 
 kept in repair without a houfekeeper. He conceives 
 not poflibly, how the winds fhould blow fo much as 
 they can, and the fea rage as much as it can, and all 
 things do what they can, and all, not only without 
 diflblution of the whole, but alfo of any part, by taking 
 away fo much as the ufual feafons of fummer and win- 
 ter, earing and harveft. Let the weather be what it 
 will, ftill we have bread, though fometimes more, fome- 
 times lefs ; wherewith alfo a careful Jofeph might 
 meet. He conceives not poflibly y how he that would 
 u 
 
29O HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 believe a Divinity, if he had been at the Creation of 
 all things, fhould lefs believe it, feeing the Prefervation 
 of all things ; For Prefervation is a Creation ; and 
 more, it is a continued Creation, and a Creation every 
 moment. Secondly, For the law, there may be fo 
 evident, though unufed a proof of Divinity taken from 
 thence, that the Atheift, or Epicurean can have no- 
 thing to contradict. The Jews yet live and are 
 known : they have their Law and Language bearing 
 witnefs to them, and they to it : they are Circumcifed 
 to this day, and expect the promifes of the Scripture \ 
 their Country alfo is known, the places, and rivers tra- 
 velled unto, and frequented by others, but to them an 
 unpenetrable rock, an inacceflible defert. Wherefore if 
 the Jews live, all the great wonders of old live in them, 
 and then who can deny the ftretched-out arm of a mighty 
 God ? efpecially fince it may be a juft doubt, whether, 
 confidering the ftubbornnefs of the Nation, their living 
 then in their Country, under fo many miracles were a 
 ftranger thing, than their prefent exile, and difability to 
 live in their Country. And it is obfervable, that this very 
 thing was intended by God, that the Jews mould be his 
 proof, and witnefles, as he calls them, Ifaiah xliii. 12. 
 And their very difperfion in all Lands, was intended not 
 only for a punifhment to them ; but for an exciting to 
 others by their fight, to the acknowledging of God and 
 his power, Pfalm lix. 11. And, therefore, this kind of 
 punifhment was chofen rather than any other. Thirdly, 
 For Grace. Befides, the continual fucceflion (fince the 
 Gofpel) of Holy men, who have borne witnefs to the 
 truth, (there being no reafon why any fhould diftruft 
 St. Luke, or Tertullian, or Chryfoftom, more than 
 Tully, Virgil, or Livy;) There are two Prophecies in 
 the Gofpel, which evidently argue Chrift's Divinity by 
 their fuccefs : the one concerning the woman that fpent 
 the ointment on our Saviour, for which he told, that it 
 fhould never be forgotten, but with the Gofpel itfelf be 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 2CjI 
 
 preached to all ages, Matthew xxvi. 13. The other 
 concerning the deftruction of Jerufalem ; of which our 
 Saviour faid, that that generation fhould not pafs, till all 
 were fulfilled, Luke xxi. 32. Which Jofephus's Hiftory 
 confirmeth, and the continuance of which Verdict is yet 
 evident. To thefe might be added the Preaching of the 
 Gofpel in all Nations, Matthew xxiv. 14, which we fee 
 even miraculoufly effected in thefe new difcoveries, God 
 turning Men's Covetoufnefs and Ambitions to the 
 effecting of his Word. Now a Prophecy is a wonder 
 fent to Pofterity, left they complain of want of wonders. 
 It is a Letter fealed, and fent, which to the Bearer is but 
 Paper, but to the receiver, and opener, is full of power. 
 He that faw Chrift open a blind man's eyes, faw not 
 more divinity than he that reads the woman's ointment 
 in the Gofpel, or fees Jerufalem deftroyed. With fome 
 of thefe heads enlarged, and woven into his difcourfe, at 
 fevcral times and occafions, the Parfon fettleth waver- 
 ing minds. But if he fees them nearer defperation, than 
 Atheifm, not fo much doubting a God, as that he is 
 theirs; then he dives into the boundlefs Ocean of God's 
 Love, and the unfpeakable riches of his loving-kindnefs. 
 He hath one argument unanivverable. If God hate 
 them, either he doth it as they are Creatures, duft and 
 afhes, or as they are finful. As Creatures, he mult 
 needs love them ; for no perfect Artift ever yet hated 
 his own work. As finful, he muft much more love 
 them ; becaufe notwithftanding his infinite hate of fin, 
 his love overcame that hate ; and with an exceeding 
 great victory; which in the Creation needed not, gave 
 them love for love, even the Son of his love out of his 
 bofom of love. So that man, which way foever he turns, 
 hath two pledges of God's love, that in the mouth of 
 two or three witneffes every word may be eftablifhed; 
 the one in his Being, the other in his finful Being : and 
 this as the more faulty in him, fo the more glorious in 
 u 2 
 
292 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 God. And all may certainly conclude, that God loves 
 them, till either they defpife that love ; or defpair of his 
 mercy; not any fin elfe, but is within his love ; but the 
 defpifing of love muft needs be without it. The thruft- 
 ing away of his arm makes us only not embraced. 
 
 Chap. XXXV. 
 
 THE PARSON'S CONDESCENDING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon is a Lover of Old Cuftoms, 
 if they be good and harmlefs ; and the rather, 
 becaufe Country people are much addicted to them 5 
 fo that to favour them therein is to win their hearts, 
 and to oppofe them therein is to deject them. If there 
 be any ill in the cuftom, that may be fevered from the 
 good, he pares the apple and gives them the clean to 
 feed on. Particularly he loves proceffion, and main- 
 tains it, becaufe there are contained therein four manifeft 
 advantages : Firft, A bleffing of God for the fruits of 
 the field : Secondly, Juftice in the Prefer vation of 
 bounds : Thirdly, Charity in loving walking, and 
 neighbourly accompanying one another, with reconciling 
 of differences at that time, if there be any : Fourthly, 
 Mercy in relieving the poor by a liberal diftribution and 
 largefs, which at that time is, or ought to be ufed. 
 Wherefore he exacts of all to be prefent at the peram- 
 bulation, and thofe that withdraw, and fever themfelves 
 from it, he miflikes, and reproves as uncharitable and 
 unneighbourly ; and if they will not reform, prefents 
 them. Nay, he is fo far from condemning fuch afTem- 
 blies, that he rather procures them to be often, as 
 knowing that abfence breeds ftrangenefs, but prefence 
 love. Now love is his bufinefs and aim ; wherefore 
 he likes w^U, that his Parifh at good times invite one 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 293 
 
 another to their houfes, and he urgeth them to it: and 
 fometimes, where he knows there hath been or is a 
 little difference, he takes one of the parties, and goes 
 with him to the other, and all dine or fup together. 
 There is much preaching in this friendlinefs. Another 
 old Cuftom there is of faying, when light is brought in, 
 God fends us the light of heaven ; And the Parfon 
 likes this very well : neither is he afraid of praifing, or 
 praying to God at all times, but is rather glad of 
 catching opportunities to do them. Light is a great 
 Blefling, and as great as food, for which we give 
 thanks ; and thofe that think this fuperftitious, neither 
 know fuperftition nor themfelves. As for thofe that 
 are afhamed to ufe this form as being old, and obfolete, 
 and not the fafhion, he reforms and teaches them, that 
 at Baptifm they profefled not to be afhamed of Chrift's 
 Crofs, or for any fhame to leave that which is good. 
 He that is afhamed in fmall things, will extend his 
 pufillanimity to greater. Rather mould a Chriftian 
 Soldier take fuch occafions to harden himfelf and to 
 further his exercifes of Mortification. 
 
 Chap. XXXVI. 
 
 THE PARSON BLESSING. 
 
 THE Country Parfon wonders, that Blefling the 
 People is in fo little ufewith his brethren: whereas 
 he thinks it not only a grave, and reverend thing, but 
 a beneficial alfo. Thofe who ufe it not ; do fo either out 
 of nicenefs, becaufe they like the falutations and com- 
 pliments, and forms of worldly language better ; which 
 conformity and fafhionablenefs is fo exceeding unbefit- 
 ting a Minifter, that it deferves reproof, not refutation : 
 Or elfe, becaufe they think it empty and fuperfluous. 
 
294 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 But that which* the Apoftles ufed fo dilligently in their 
 writings, nay, which our Saviour himfelf ufed, Mark 
 x. 1 6, cannot be vain and fuperfluous. But this was not 
 proper to Chrift, or the apoftles only, no more than to 
 be a fpiritual Father was appropriated to them. And if 
 temporal Fathers blefs their children, how much more 
 may, and ought Spiritual Fathers ? Befides, the Priefts 
 of the Old Teftament were commanded to Blefs the 
 people, and the form thereof is prefcribed, Numbers 
 vi. Now as the Apoftle argues in another cafe ; if 
 the Miniftration of condemnation did blefs, how mall 
 not the Miniftration of the Spirit exceed in bleffing ? 
 The fruit of this bleffing good Hannah found, and 
 received with great joy, I Samuel i. 18, though it came 
 from a man difallowed by God : for it was not the 
 perfon but Priefthood, that blefTed; fo that even ill 
 Priefts may blefs. Neither have the Minifters power 
 of bleffing only, but alfo of Curfing. So in the Old 
 Teftament, Eliftia curfed the children, 2 Kings ii. 24, 
 which though our Saviour reproved as unfitting for his 
 particular, who was to fhow all humility before his 
 Paffion, yet he allows it in his Apoftles. And therefore, 
 St. Peter ufed that fearful imprecation to Simon Magus, 
 Acts viii., Thy money perifti with thee : and the event 
 confirmed it : fo did St. Paul, 2 Timothy iv. 14, and 
 1 Timothy, i. 20. Speaking of Alexander the copper- 
 fmith, who had withftood his preaching, The Lord 
 (faith he) reward him according to his works. And 
 again, of Hymeneus and Alexander, he faith he had 
 delivered them to Satan, that they might learn not 
 to Blafpheme. The Forms both of Bleffing, and 
 Curfing, are expounded in the Common Prayer Book : 
 the one in, The grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift, &c. 
 and the Peace of God, &c. ; the other in general, in 
 the Commination. Now bleffing differs from prayer, 
 in affu ranee, becaufe it is not performed by way of 
 requeft, but of confidence, and power, effectually 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 295 
 
 applying God's favour to the bleffed, by the intercfting 
 of that dignity wherewith God hath inverted the Prieft, 
 and engaging of God's own power and inftitution for a 
 Blefling. The neglect of this duty in Minifters them- 
 felves hath made the people alfo neglect it ; fo that 
 they are fo far from craving this benefit from their 
 ghoftly Father, that they oftentimes go out of Church 
 before he hath blefTed them. In the time of Popery, 
 the Prieft's Benedicite and his holy water were over 
 highly valued ; and now we are fallen to the clean 
 contrary, even from fuperftition to coldnefs and Atheifm. 
 But the Parfon firft values the gift in himfelf, and then 
 teacheth his Parim to value it. And it is obfervable, 
 that if a Minifter talk with a great man in the ordinary 
 courfe of complimenting language, he mail be efteemed 
 as ordinary complimenters ; but if he often interpofe a 
 Blefling, when the other gives him juft opportunity, 
 by fpeaking any good, this unufual form begets a 
 reverence, and makes him efteemed according to his 
 profeflion. The fame is to be obferved in writing 
 Letters alfo. To conclude, if all men are to blefs upon 
 occafion, as appears Romans xii. 14, how much more 
 thofe who are fpiritual Fathers ? 
 
 Chap. XXXVII. 
 
 CONCERNING DETRACTION.* 
 
 HE Country Parfon perceiving, that moft, when 
 they are at leifure, make others' faults their en- 
 
 * See Barrow's Sermon on Detraction, (Works, i. 415,) which 
 he fays " may be couched in truth, and clothed in fair language ; 
 it is a poifon often infufed in fweet liquor, and miniftercd in a 
 golden cup." 
 
 T 
 
296 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 tertainment and difcourfe, and that even fome good 
 men think, fo they fpeak truth, they may difciofe 
 another's fault, finds it fomewhat difficult how to pro- 
 ceed in this point. For if he abfolutely fhut up men's 
 mouths, and forbid all difclofing of faults, many an 
 evil may not only be, but alfo fpread in his Parifh, 
 without any remedy (which cannot be applied without 
 notice) to the difhonour of God, and the infection of 
 his flock, and the difcomfort, difcredit, and hindrance of 
 the Paftor. On the other fide, if it be unlawful to 
 open faults, no benefit or advantage can make it law- 
 ful ; for we muft not do evil that good may come of it. 
 Now the Parfon taking this point to tafk, which is fo 
 exceeding ufeful, and hath taken fo deep root, that it 
 feems the very life and fubftance of Converfation, hath 
 proceeded thus far in the difcuffing of it. Faults are 
 either notorious or private. Again, notorious faults 
 are either fuch as are made known by common fame 
 (and of thefe, thofe that know them may talk, fo they 
 do it not with fport, but commiferation ;) or elfe fuch 
 as have pafled judgment, and been corrected either by 
 whipping, or imprifoning, or the like. Of thefe alfo 
 men may talk, and more, they may difcover them to 
 thofe that know them not ; becaufe infamy is a part of 
 the fentence againft malefactors, which the Law in- 
 tends, as is evident by thofe which are branded for 
 rogues, that they may be known, or put into the 
 flocks, that they may be looked upon. But fome may 
 fay, though the Law allow this, the Gofpel doth not, 
 which hath fo much advanced Charity, and ranked 
 backbiters among the generation of the wicked, Ro- 
 mans i. 30. But this is eafily anfwered : as the exe- 
 cutioner is not uncharitable, that takes away the life of 
 the condemned, except, befides his office, he had a 
 tincture of private malice, in the joy and hafte of 
 acting his part; fo neither is he that defames him 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 297 
 
 whom the Law would have defamed, except he alio do 
 it out of rancour. For in infamy, all are executioners, 
 and the Law gives the malefactor to all to be defamed. 
 And as malefactors may lofe and forfeit their goods or life, 
 fo may they their good name, and the poiTeffion thereof, 
 which before their offence and Judgment they had in 
 all men's breafts ; for all are honeft till the contrary be 
 proved. Befides, it concerns the Common-Wealth 
 that Rogues mould be known, and Charity to the 
 public hath the precedence of private Charity. So 
 that it is fo far from being a fault to difcover fuch 
 offenders, that it is a duty rather, which may do much 
 good, and fave much harm. Neverthelefs, if the 
 punifhed Delinquent mall be much troubled for his 
 fins, and turn quite another man, doubtlefs then alfo 
 men's affections and words muft turn, and forbear to 
 fpeak of that which even God himfelf hath forgotten.* 
 
 THE AUTHOR'S PRAYER BEFORE 
 SERMON. 
 
 o 
 
 ALMIGHTY and ever living Lord God ! Ma- 
 jefty, and Power, and Brightnefs and Glory! 
 
 * It may be interefting to read the fketch of a Country Parifh 
 by John Norris, living in Herbert's parfonage, and having the 
 villagers of Bemerton in his eye : " Countiy people are much 
 prouder than they ufed to be $ and the lower you go, ftill the 
 more pride you find. For even the poor are as proud in their 
 way as any, and for aught I know, the very proudeft of all. 
 For there are none that are more captious and exceptious, more 
 nice and difficult, and that mult be treated with more care, 
 caution, and obfervance ; none that are more eafily offended, or 
 more hardly reconciled, that are more apt $0 take, or more back- 
 ward to forgive a flight or an affront, or fo much as a neglect." 
 Norris, " A treatife concerning Humilitie, 1 ' 1707, p. 326. 
 
298 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 How fhall we dare to appear before thy face, who are 
 contrary to thee, in all we call thee ? for we are dark- 
 nefs, and weaknefs, and filthinefs, and lhaine. Miferv 
 and fin fill our days ; yet art thou our Creator, and we 
 thy work. Thy hands both made us, and alfo made 
 us lords of all thy creatures ; giving us one world in 
 ourfelves, and another to ferve us : then didft thou 
 place us in Paradife, and wert proceeding ftill on in thy 
 favours, until we interrupted thy counfels, difappointed 
 thy purpofes, and fold our God, our glorious, our gra- 
 cious God, for an apple. O write it ! O brand it in 
 our foreheads for ever : for an apple once we loft our 
 God, and ftill lofe him for no more ; for money, foi 
 meat, for diet : But thou, Lord, art patience, and pity, 
 and fweetnefs, and love; therefore we fons of men are 
 not confumed. Thou haft exalted thy mercy above 
 all things, and haft made our falvation, not our punilh- 
 ment, thy glory: fo that then where fin abounded, not 
 death, but grace fuperabounded > accordingly when we 
 had finned beyond any help in heaven or earth, then 
 thou faidft, Lo, I come ! then did the Lord of life, 
 unable of himfelf to die, contrive to do it. He took 
 flefh, he wept, he died ; for his enemies he died ; even 
 for thofe that derided him then, and ftill defpife him. 
 Bleffed Saviour ! many waters could not quench thy 
 love, nor no pit overwhelm it ! But though the ftreams 
 of thy blood were current through darknefs, grave, and 
 hell, yet by thefe thy confli&s, and feemingiy hazards, 
 didft thou arife triumphant, and therein madeft us 
 victorious. 
 
 Neither doth thy love yet ftay here ! for this word of 
 thy rich peace and reconciliation thou haft committed, 
 not to Thunder or Angels, but to filly and finful men ; 
 even to me, pardctiing my fins, and bidding me go feed 
 the people of thy love. 
 
 Bleffed be the God of Heaven and Earth, who only 
 
A PRIEST TO THE TEMPLE. 299 
 
 doth wondrous things. Awake, therefore, my Lute 
 and my Viol ! awake all my powers to glorify thee ! 
 We praife thee, we blefs thee, we magnify thee for 
 ever ! And now, O Lord, in the power of thy Vic- 
 tories, and in the ways of thy ordinances, and in the 
 truth of thy Love, Lo, we ftand here, befeeching thee 
 to blefs thy word, wherever fpoken this day throughout 
 the univerfal Church. O make it a word of power 
 and peace, to convert thofe who are not yet thine, and 
 to confirm thofe that are ; particularly, blefs it in this 
 thy own Kingdom, which thou haft made a Land 
 of light, a florehoufe of thy treafures and mercies. O 
 let not our foolifh and unworthy hearts rob us of the 
 continuance of this thy fweet love ; but pardon our fins, 
 and perfecSt what thou haft begun. Ride on, Lord, 
 becaufe of the word of truth, and meeknefs and righte- 
 oufnefs, and thy right hand fhall teach thee terrible 
 things. Efpecially, blefs this portion here afTembled 
 together, with thy unworthy Servant fpeaking unto 
 them : Lord Jefu ! teach thou me, that I may teach 
 them : Sanilify and enable all my powers, that in their 
 full ftrength they may deliver thy meflage reverently, 
 readily, faithfully, and fruitfully ! O make thy word a 
 fwift word, pafling from the ear to the heart, from the 
 heart to the life and converfation : that as the rain 
 returns not empty, fo neither may thy word, but ac- 
 complifh that for which it is given. O Lord, hear ! 
 O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hearken, and do fo for 
 thy blefled Son's fake, in whofe fweet and pleafing 
 words, we fay, Our Father, &c. 
 
300 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 PRAYER AFTER SERMON. 
 
 BLESSED be God, and the Father of all mercy, 
 who continueth to pour his benefits upon us ! 
 Thou haft elected us, thou haft called us, thou haft 
 juftified us, fanctified, and glorified us : Thou waft 
 born for us, and thou livedft and diedft for us : Thou 
 haft given us the blefiings of this life, and of a better. 
 O Lord, thy blefiings hang in clufters, they come 
 trooping upon us ! they break forth like mighty waters 
 on every fide. And now, Lord, thou haft fed us with 
 the bread of life; fo man did eat Angels' food. O 
 Lord, blefs it ; O Lord, make it health and ftrength 
 unto us, ftill ftriving and profpering fo Jong within us, 
 until our obedience reach thy meafure of thy love, who 
 haft done for us as much as may be. Grant this, dear 
 Father, for thy Son's fake, our only Saviour ; To whom 
 with thee and the Holy Ghoft, three Perfons, but one 
 moft glorious incomprehenfible God, be afcribed all 
 Honour, and Glory, and Praife, ever. Amen. 
 
Jacula Prudentum. 
 
 [The Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish 
 Proverbs, Sentences, &c, were firft printed in 
 1640, — a very fmall volume — with Herbert's initials 
 on the title-page ; a fecond edition, confiderably en- 
 larged, was publifhed in 1651. The collection is 
 curious and interefting. Proverbs formed a favourite 
 ftudy of that age. Bifhop Andrewes took great plea- 
 fure in them, obferving that " by thefe he knew the 
 mind of feveral nations ;" which, Selden adds (Table- 
 talk), is a brave thing ; as we count him a wife man, 
 that knows the minds and infides of men, which is 
 done by knowing what is habitual to them. Proverbs 
 are habitual to a nation, being tranfmitted from father 
 to fon."] 
 
 OLD men go to Death, Death comes to young 
 men. 
 Man propofeth, God difpofeth. 
 He begins to die, that quits his defires. 
 A handful of good life is better than a bufhel of Learn- 
 ing. 
 He that ftudies his content, wants it. 
 Every day brings its bread with it. 
 Humble hearts have humble defires. 
 He that {tumbles and falls not, mends his pace. 
 
?02 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 The houfe fhows the owner. 
 
 He that gets out of debt, grows rich. 
 
 All is well with him who is beloved of his neighbours. 
 
 Building and marrying of children are great wafters. 
 
 A good bargain is a pick-purfe. 
 
 The fcalded dog fears cold water. 
 
 Pleafing ware is half fold. 
 
 Light burdens, long borne, grow heavy. 
 
 The Wolf knows what the ill beaft thinks. 
 
 Who hath none to ftill him may weep out his eyes. 
 
 When all fins grow old, covetoufnefs is young. 
 
 If ye would know a knave, give him a ftaff. 
 
 You cannot know wine by the barrel. 
 
 A cool mouth, and warm feet, live long. 
 
 A horfe made, and a man to make. 
 
 Look not for mufk in a dog's kennel. 
 
 Not a long day, but a good heart, rids work. 
 
 He pulls with a long rope, that waits for another's 
 
 death. 
 Great ftrokes make not fweet mufic. 
 A caik and an ill cuftom muft be broken. 
 A fat houfekeeper makes lean executors. 
 Empty chambers make foolifh maids. 
 The gentle Hawk half mans herfelf. 
 The devil is not always at one door. 
 When a friend afks, there is no to-morrow. 
 God fends cold according to clothes. 
 One found blow will ferve to undo us all. 
 He lofeth nothing, that loofeth not God. 
 The German's wit is in his fingers. 
 At dinner my man appears. 
 Who gives to all, denies all. 
 Quick believers need broad fhoulders. 
 Who remove ftones, bruife their fingers. 
 Benefits pleafe like flowers while they are frefh. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 303 
 
 Between the bufmefs of life and the clay of death, a (pace 
 
 ought to be interpofed. 
 All came from and will go to others. 
 ' He that will take the bird, mull not fcare it. 
 He lives unfafely that looks too near on things. 
 A gentle houfewife mars the houfehold. 
 A crooked log makes a ftraight fire. 
 He hath great need of a fool that plays the fool himfelC 
 A Merchant that gains not, lofeth. 
 Let not him that fears feathers come among wild-fowl. 
 Love, and a Cough, cannot be hid. 
 
 * A Dwarf on a Giant's moulder, fees further of the two. 
 He that fends a fool, means to follow him. 
 Babbling curs never want fore ears. 
 
 * Better the feet flip than the tongue. 
 
 For warning his hands, none fells his lands. 
 A Lion's fkin is never cheap. 
 
 * The goat muft browfe where fhe is tied. 
 Nothing is to be prefumed on, or defpaired of. 
 
 Who hath a Wolf for his mate, needs a Dog for bis 
 
 man. 
 In a good houfe all is quickly ready. 
 A bad dog never fees the Wolf. 
 
 * God oft hath a great ftiare in a little houfe. 
 Ill ware is never cheap. 
 
 * A cheerful look makes a dim a feaft. 
 
 If all fools had baubles, we mould want fuel. 
 Virtue never grows old. 
 Evening words are not like to morning. 
 Were there no fools, bad ware would not pafs. 
 
 * Never had ill workman good tools. 
 He ftands not furely that never flips. 
 
 - Were there no hearers, there would be no backbiters. 
 Everything is of ufe to a houfekeeper. 
 When prayers are done, my Lady is ready. 
 Cities feldom change Religion only. 
 
304 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 At length the Fox turns Monk. 
 Flies are bufieft about lean horfes. 
 Hearken to reafon, or fhe will be heard. 
 The bird loves her neft. 
 Everything new is fine. 
 
 When a dog is a drowning, every one offers him drink. 
 Better a bare foot than none. 
 Who is fo deaf as he that will not hear ? 
 He that is warm thinks all fo. 
 At length the Fox is brought to the Furrier. 
 He that goes bare-foot muft not plant thorns. 
 They that are booted are not always ready. 
 He that will learn to pray, let him go to Sea. 
 In fpending lies the advantage. 
 He that lives well, is learned enough. 
 Ill veffels feldom mifcarry. 
 A full belly neither fights nor flies well. 
 All truths are not to be told. 
 
 An old wife man's fhadow is better than a young buz- 
 zard's fword. 
 Noble houfekeepers need no doors. 
 Every ill man hath his ill day. 
 Sleep without fupping, and wake without owing. 
 I gave the moufe a hole, and fhe is become my heir. 
 Aflail who will, the valliant attends. 
 Whither goeft, grief? where I am wont. 
 Praife day at night, and life at the end. 
 Whither mall the Ox go where he mall not labour ? 
 Where you think there is bacon, there is no chimney. 
 Mend your clothes, and you may hold out this year. 
 Prefs a flick, and it feems a youth. 
 The tongue walks where the teeth fpeed not. 
 A fair wife and a frontier Caftle breed quarrels. 
 Leave jefting whiles it pleafeth, left it turns to earneft. 
 Deceive not thy Phyfician, Confeffor, nor Lawyer. 
 Ill natures, the more you afk them, the more they ftick. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 305 
 
 Virtue and a Trade are the beft portion for children. 
 
 The Chicken is the Country's, but the City eats it. 
 
 He that gives thee a capon, give him the leg and the 
 wing. 
 
 He that lives ill, fear follows him. 
 
 Give a clown your finger, and he will take your hand. 
 
 Good is to be fought out, and evil attended. 
 
 A good paymafter ftarts not at aflurances. 
 
 No Alchymy to faving. 
 
 To a grateful man give money when he afks. 
 
 Who would do ill ne'er wants occafion. 
 
 To fine folks a little ill finely wrapt. 
 
 A child correct behind, and not before. 
 
 To a fair day, open the window, but make you ready 
 as to a foul. 
 . Keep good men company, and you {hall be of the 
 number. 
 
 No love to a Father's. 
 
 The Mill gets by going. 
 • To a boiling pot flies come not. 
 
 Make hafte to an ill way, that you may get out of it. 
 
 A fnow year, a rich year. 
 
 Better to be blind than to fee ill. 
 
 Learn weeping, and thou malt laugh gaining. 
 
 Who hath no more bread than need, muft not keep a 
 dog. 
 
 A garden muft be looked unto and dreffed as the body. 
 
 The Fox, when he cannot reach the grapes, fays They 
 are not ripe. 
 
 Water trotted is as good as oats. 
 
 Though the MaftifT be gentle, yet bite him not by the 
 
 lip * 
 Though a lie be well dreffed, it is ever overcome. 
 
 Though old and wife, yet ftill advife. 
 
 Three helping one another, bear the burthen of fix. 
 
 Slander is a fhipwreck by a dry Tempeft. 
 
306 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Old wine and an old friend are good provifions. 
 Happy is he that chaftens himfelf. 
 Well may he fmell fire, whofe gown burns. 
 The wrongs of a Hufband or Mafter are not re- 
 proached. 
 Welcome evil, if thou comeft alone. 
 Love your neighbour, yet pull not down your hedge. 
 The bit that one eats, no friend makes. 
 A drunkard's purfe is a bottle. 
 She fpins well that breeds her children. 
 Good is the mora that makes all fure. 
 Play with a fool at home, and he will play with you in 
 
 the market. 
 Every one ftretcheth his legs according to his coverlet. 
 Autumnal agues are long or mortal. 
 Marry your fon when you will \ your daughter when 
 
 you can, 
 Dally not with money or women. 
 
 Men fpeak of the Fair as things went with them there. 
 The beft remedy againft an ill man, is much ground 
 
 between both. 
 The mill cannot grind with water that's paft. 
 Corn is cleaned with wind, and the foul with chaften- 
 
 ings. 
 Good words are worth much, and coft little. 
 To buy dear is not bounty. 
 Jeft not with the eye, or with Religion. 
 The eye and Religion can bear no jelling. 
 Without favour none will know you, and with it you 
 
 will not know yourfelf. 
 Buy at a fair, but fell at home. 
 
 Cover yourfelf with your fhield, and care not for cries. 
 A wicked man's gift hath a touch of his mafter 
 None is a fool always, every one fometimes. 
 From a choleric man withdraw a little ; from him that 
 
 fays nothing, for ever. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 307 
 
 Debtors are liars. 
 
 Of all fmells, bread : of all taftes, fait. 
 
 In a great River great fifh are found: but take heed 
 left you be drowned. 
 
 Ever fince we wear clothes, we know not one another. 
 
 God heals, and the Phyfician hath the thanks. 
 
 Hell is full of good meanings and wifhings. 
 
 Take heed of ftill waters, the quick pafs away. 
 
 After the houfe is finifhed, leave it. 
 
 Our own actions are our fecurity, not others' judg- 
 ments. 
 
 Think of eafe, but work on. 
 
 He that lies long a bed, his eftate feels it. 
 
 Whether you boil fnow or pound it, you can have but 
 water of it. 
 
 One ftroke fells not an oak. 
 
 God complains not, but doth what is fitting. 
 
 A diligent Scholar, and the Mafter's paid. 
 
 Milk fays to wine, Welcome, friend. 
 
 They that know one another, falute afar ofT. 
 
 Where there is no honour, there is no grief. 
 •Where the drink goes in, there the wit goes out. 
 
 He that ftays does the bufinefs. 
 
 Alms never make poor. Or thus, 
 
 Great Alms-giving lefTens no man's living. 
 
 Giving much to the poor, doth enrich a man's ftore. 
 
 It takes much from the account, to which his fin doth 
 amount. 
 
 It adds to the glory both of foul and body. 
 
 Ill comes in by ells, and goes out by inches. 
 
 The fmith and his penny both are black. 
 
 Whofe houfe is of glafs, muft not throw ftones at 
 another. 
 
 If the old dog bark, he gives counfel. 
 
 The tree that grows flowly, keeps itfelf for another. 
 
 I wept when I was born, and every days fhews why. 
 
 x 2 
 
308 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 He that looks not before, finds himfelf behind. 
 
 He that plays his money, ought not to value it. 
 
 He that rifeth firft, is firft dreft. 
 
 Difeafes of the eye are to be cured with the elbow. 
 
 The hole calls the thief. 
 
 A gentleman's greyhound and a fait box, feek them at 
 
 the fire. 
 A child's fervice is little, yet he is no little fool that 
 
 defpifeth it. 
 The river paft, and God forgotten. 
 Evils have their comfort \ good none can fupport (to 
 
 wit) with a moderate and contented heart. 
 Who muft account for himfelf and others, muft know 
 
 both. 
 He that eats the hard, mall eat the ripe. 
 The miferable man maketh a penny of a farthing, and 
 
 the liberal of a farthing fixpence. 
 The honey is fweet, but the Bee flings. 
 Weight and meafure take away ftrife. 
 The fon full and tattered, the daughter empty and fine. 
 Every path hath a puddle. 
 
 In good years corn is hay, in ill years ftraw is corn. 
 Send a wife man on an errand, and fay nothing unto 
 
 him. 
 In life you loved me not, in death you bewail me. 
 Into a mouth {hut flies fly not. 
 The heart's letter is read in the eyes. 
 The ill that comes out of our month falls into our 
 
 bofom. 
 In great pedigrees there are Governors and Chandlers. 
 In the houfe of a fiddler, all fiddle. 
 Sometimes the beft gain is to lofe. 
 Working and making a fire doth difcretion require. 
 One grain fills not a fack, but helps his fellows. 
 It is a great victory that comes without blood. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 3O9 
 
 In war, hunting, and love, men for one pleafure a 
 
 thoufand griefs prove. 
 Reckon right, and February hath one and thirty days. 
 Honour without profit is a ring on the finger. 
 Eftate in two Parifhes is bread in two wallets. 
 Honour and profit lie not in one fack. 
 A naughty child is better fick than whole. 
 Truth and oil are ever above. 
 He that rifeth betimes, hath fomething in his head. 
 Advife none to marry or go to war. 
 To fteal the Hog, and give the feet for alms. 
 The thorn comes forth with the point forwards. 
 One hand walheth another, and both the face. 
 The fault of the horfe is put on the faddle. 
 The corn hides itfelf in the fnow as an old man in furs. 
 The Jews fpend at Eafler, the Moors at marriages, 
 
 the Chriflians in fuits. 
 Fine drefling is a foul houfe fwept before the doors. 
 A woman and a glafs are ever in danger. 
 An ill wound is cured, not an ill name. 
 The wife hand doth not all that the foolifh mouth 
 
 fpeaks. 
 On painting and fighting look aloof. 
 Knowledge is folly except grace guide it. 
 Punifhment is lame, but it comes. 
 The more women look in their glafs, the lefs they look 
 
 to their houfe. 
 A long tongue is a fign of a fhort hand. 
 Marry a widow before fhe leave mourning. 
 The worft of law is, that one fuit breeds twenty. 
 Providence is better than a rent. 
 
 What your glafs tells you, will not be told by Counfel. 
 There are more men threatened than ftricken. 
 A fool knows more in his houfe, than a wife man in 
 
 another's. 
 I had rather ride on an afs that carries me, than a horfe 
 
 that throv/s me. 
 
310 HERBERTS PROSE WORKS. 
 
 The hard gives more than he that hath nothing. 
 
 The beaft that goes always, never wants blows. 
 
 Good cheap is dear. 
 
 It cofts more to do ill than to do well. 
 
 Good words quench more than a bucket of water. 
 
 An ill agreement is better than a good judgment. 
 
 There is more talk than trouble. 
 
 Better fpare to have of thine own, than afk of other 
 
 men. 
 Better good afar off, than evil at hand. 
 Fear keeps the garden better than the gardener. 
 I had rather afk of my fire brown bread, than borrow 
 
 of my neighbour white. 
 Your pot broken feems better than my whole one. 
 Let an ill man lie in thy ftraw, and he looks to be thy 
 
 heir. 
 By fuppers more have been killed than Galen ever 
 
 cured. 
 While the difcreet advife, the fool doth his bufinefs. 
 A mountain and a river are good neighbours. 
 Goffips are frogs, they drink and talk. 
 Much fpends the traveller more than the abider. 
 Prayers and provender hinder no journey. 
 A well-bred youth neither fpeaks of himfelf, nor, being 
 
 fpoken to, is filent. 
 A journeying woman fpeaks much of all, and all of 
 
 her. 
 The Fox knows much, but more he that catcheth him. 
 Many friends in general, one in fpecial. 
 The fool afks much, but he is more fool that grants it. 
 Many kifs the hand they wiih cut off. 
 Neither bribe, nor lofe thy right. 
 In the world who knows not to fwim, goes to the 
 
 bottom. 
 Choofe not a houfe near an Inn (viz. for noife) : or in 
 
 a corner (for filth). 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM 31 I 
 
 He is a fool that thinks not that another thinks. 
 
 Neither eyes on letters, nor hands in coffers. 
 
 The lion is not fo fierce as they paint him. 
 
 Go not for every grief to the Phyfician, nor for every 
 
 quarrel to the Lawyer, nor for every thirft to the 
 
 pot. 
 Good fervice is a great enchantment. 
 There would be no great ones, if there were no little 
 
 ones. 
 It s no fure rule to fifh with a crofs-bow. 
 Tlere were no ill language, if it were not ill taken. 
 The groundfel fpeaks not, fave what it heard at the 
 
 Hnges. 
 Th* beft mirror is an old friend. 
 Say no ill of the year till it be pad. 
 A nan's difcontent is his worft evil. 
 Fea: nothing but fin. 
 
 The child fays nothing, but what it heard by the fire. 
 Call me not an olive, till thou fee me gathered. 
 Thi.t is not good language which all underftand not. 
 He that burns his houfe, warms himfelf for once. 
 
 • He will burn his houfe to warm his hands. 
 
 He will fpend a whole year's rent at one meal's meat. 
 
 * AL is not gold that glifters. 
 A oluftering night, a fair day. 
 
 Be not idle, and you mall not be longing. 
 , He is not poor that hath little, but he that defireth 
 much. 
 Let none fay, I will not drink water. 
 He wrongs not an old man that fteals his fupper from 
 him. 
 • The tongue talks at the head's coft. 
 » He that ftrikes with his tongue, muff ward with his 
 head. 
 Keep not ill men company, left you increafe the 
 number. 
 
312 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 God ftrikes not with both hands, for to the fea he 
 
 made heavens, and to rivers fords. 
 A rugged flone grows fmooth from hand to hand. 
 No lock will hold againft the power of gold. 
 The abfent party is itill faulty. 
 Peace and patience, and death with repentance. 
 If you lofe your time, you cannot get money nor gain. 
 Be not a Baker, if your head be of butter. 
 A^kmuch to have a little. 
 
 Little Siicks kindle the fire > great ones put it out. 
 Another's^Brsad cofts dear. 
 
 Although it rain, throw not away thy watering pot. 
 Although the fun mine, leave not thy cloak at home 
 A little with quiet is the only diet. 
 In vain is the mill-clack, if the Miller his hearing lack. 
 By the needle you fhall draw the thread, and by tiat 
 
 which is paft, fee how that which is to come will be 
 
 drawn on. 
 Stay a little, and news will find you. 
 Stay till the lame mefienger come, if you will know :he 
 
 truth of the thing. 
 When God will, no wind but brings rain. 
 Though you rife early, yet the day comes at his time, 
 
 and not till then. 
 Pull down your hat on the wind's fide. 
 As the year is, your pot muft feeth. 
 Since you know all, and I nothing, tell me what I 
 
 dreamed laft night. 
 When the fox preacheth, beware geefe. 
 When you are an Anvil, hold you ftill ; when you are 
 
 a hammer, ftrike your fill. 
 Poor and liberal, rich and covetous. 
 He that makes his bed ill, lies there. 
 He that labours and thrives, fpins gold. 
 He that fows, trufts in God. 
 He that lies with the dogs, rifeth with fleas. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 313 
 
 He that repairs not a part, builds all. 
 
 A difcontented man knows not where to fit eafy. 
 
 Who fpits againft heaven, it falls in his face. 
 
 He that dines and leaves, lays the cloth twice. 
 
 Who eats his cock alone, muft faddle his horfe alone. 
 
 He that is not handfome at twenty, nor ftrong at thirty, 
 
 nor rich at forty, nor wife at fifty, will never be 
 
 handfome, ftrong, rich, or wife. 
 He that doth what he will, doth not what he ought. 
 He that will deceive the fox muft rife betimes. 
 He that lives well, fees afar off*. 
 
 He that hath a mouth of his own, muft not fay to an- 
 other, Blow: 
 He that will be ferved, muft be patient. 
 He that gives thee a bone, would not have thee die. 
 He that chaftens one, chaftens twenty. 
 He that hath loft his credit, is dead to the world. 
 He that hath no ill fortune, is troubled with good. 
 He that demands, mifieth not, unlefs his demands be 
 
 foolifti. 
 He that hath no honey in his pot, let him have it in his 
 
 mouth. 
 He that takes not up a pin, flights his wife. 
 He that owes nothing, if he makes not mouths at us, 
 
 is courteous. 
 He that lofeth his due, gets not thanks. 
 He that believes all, milTeth ; he that believeth nothing, 
 
 hits not. 
 Pardons and pleafantnefs are great revenges of flanders. 
 A married man turns his ftafF into a ftake. 
 If you would know fecrets, look them in grief or 
 
 pleafure. 
 Serve a noble difpofition, though poor, the time comes 
 
 that he will repay thee. 
 The fault is as great as he that is faulty. 
 If folly were grief, every houfe would weep, 
 
314 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 He that would be well old, muft be old betimes. 
 
 Sit in your place, and none can make you rife. 
 
 If you could run as yon drink, you might catch a hare. 
 
 Would you know what money is, Go borrow fome. 
 
 The morning Sun never lafts a day. 
 
 Thou haft death in thy houfe, and doft bewail an- 
 other's. 
 
 All griefs with bread are lefs. 
 
 All things require (kill, but an appetite. 
 
 All things have their place, knew we how to place 
 them. 
 
 Little pitchers have wide ears. 
 
 We are fools one to another. 
 
 This world is nothing except it tend to another. 
 
 There are three ways, the Univertifies, the Sea, the 
 Court. 
 
 God comes to fee without a bell. 
 
 Life without a friend, is death without a witnefs. 
 
 Clothe thee in war, arm thee in peace. 
 
 The horfe thinks one thing, and he that faddles him 
 another. 
 
 Mills and wives ever want. 
 
 The dog that licks afhes, truft not with meal. 
 
 The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the feller not one. 
 
 He carries well, to whom it weighs not. 
 
 The comforter's head never aches. 
 
 Step after ftep the ladder is afcended. 
 
 Who likes not the drink, God deprives him of bread. 
 
 To a crazy fhip all winds are contrary. 
 
 Juftice pleafeth few in their own houfe. 
 
 In time comes he, whom God fends. 
 
 Water afar off quencheth not fire. 
 
 In fports and journeys men are known. 
 
 An old friend is a new houfe. 
 
 Love is not found in the market. 
 
 Dry feet, warm head, bring fafe to bed. 
 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 315 
 
 He is rich enough that wants nothing. 
 
 One father is enough to govern one hundred fons, but 
 
 not a hundred Tons one father. 
 Far (hooting never killed bird. 
 An upbraided morfel never choked any. 
 Dearths forefeen come not. 
 An ill labourer quarrels with his tools. 
 He that falls into the dirt, the longer he flays there the 
 
 fouler he is. 
 He that blames would buy. 
 He that fings on Friday will weep on Sunday. 
 The charges of building, and making of gardens are 
 
 unknown. 
 My houfe, my houfe, though thou art fmall, thou art 
 
 to me the Efcurial. 
 A hundred load of thought will not pay one of debts. 
 He that comes of a hen muft fcrape. 
 He that feeks trouble never miffes. 
 He that once deceives, is ever fufpected. 
 Being on fea, fail ; being on land, fettle. 
 Who doth his own bufmefs, fouls not his hands. 
 He that makes a good war, makes a good peace. 
 He that works after his own manner, his head aches 
 
 not at the matter. 
 Who hath bitter in his mouth, fpits not all fweet. 
 He that hath children, all his morfels are not his own. 
 He that hath the fpice, may feafon as he lift. 
 He that hath a head of wax, muft not walk in the fun. 
 He that hath love in his breaft, hath fpurs in his fides. 
 He that refpects not is not refpecled. 
 He that hath a fox for his mate, hath need of a net at 
 
 his girdle. 
 He that hath right, fears ; he that hath wrong, hopes. 
 He that hath patience, hath fat thrufhes for a farthing. 
 Never was ftrumpet fair. 
 He that meafures not himfelf is meafured. 
 
316 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 He that hath one hog, makes him fat; and he that 
 
 one fon, makes him a fool. 
 Who lets his Wife go to every feaft, and his horfe 
 
 drink at every water, fhall neither have good wife, 
 
 nor good horfe. 
 He that fpeaks fows, and he that holds his peace 
 
 gathers. 
 He that hath little is the lefs dirty. 
 Fie that lives moft dies moft. 
 He that hath one foot in the ftraw hath another in the 
 
 fpittle. 
 He that is fed at another's hand, may ftay long ere he 
 
 be full. 
 He that makes a thing too fine, breaks it. 
 He that bewails himfelf hath the cure in his hands. 
 He that would be well, needs not go from his own 
 
 houfe. 
 Counfel breaks not the head. 
 Fly the pleafure that bites to-morrow. 
 He that knows what may be gained in a day, never 
 
 fteals. 
 Money refufed lofeth its brightnefs. 
 Health and money go far. 
 Where your will is ready, your feet are light. 
 A great fhip afks deeps waters. 
 Woe to the houfe where there is no chiding. 
 Take heed of the vinegar of fweet wine. 
 Fools bite one another, but wife men agree together. 
 Truft not one night's ice. 
 Good is good, but better carries it. 
 To gain teacheth how to fpend. 
 Good finds good. 
 
 The dog gnaws the bone becaufe he cannot fwallow it. 
 The crow bewails the fheep, and then eats it. 
 Building is a fweet impoverifhing. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 317 
 
 The firft degree of folly is to hold one's felf wife, the 
 
 fecond to profefs it, the third to defpife counfel. 
 The greateft ftep is that out of doors. 
 To weep for joy is a kind of Manna. 
 The firft fervice a child doeth his father is to make 
 
 him fooliih. 
 The refolved mind hath no cares. 
 In the kingdom of a cheater, the wallet is carried 
 
 before. 
 The eye will have his part. 
 
 The good mother fays not, Will you ? but gives. 
 A houfe and a woman fuit excellently. 
 In the kingdom of blind men, the one-eyed is king. 
 A little Kitchen makes a large houfe. 
 War makes thieves, and peace hangs them. 
 Poverty is the mother of health. 
 In the morning mountains, in the evening fountains. 
 The back door robs the houfe. 
 Wealth is like rheum, it falls on the weakeft parts. 
 The gown is his that wears it, and the world his that 
 
 enjoys it. 
 Hope is the poor man's bread. 
 
 Virtue now is in herbs, and ftones, and words only. 
 Fine words drefs ill deeds. 
 Labour as long lived, pray as even dying. 
 A poor beauty finds more lovers than hufbands. 
 Difcreet women have neither eyes nor ears. 
 Things well fitted abide. 
 Prettinefs dies firft. 
 Talking pays no toll. 
 The matter's eye fattens the horfe, and his foot the 
 
 ground. 
 Difgraces are like cherries, one draws another. 
 Praife a hill, but keep below. 
 Praife the fea, but keep on land. 
 
3*8 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 In choofiing a wife, and buying a fword, we ought not 
 
 to truft another. 
 The v/earer knows where the fhoe wrings. 
 Fair is not fair, but that which pleafeth. 
 There is no jollity but hath a fmack of folly. 
 He that's long a giving knows not how to giveo 
 The filth under the white fnow the fun difcovers. 
 Every one faftens where there is gain. 
 All feet tread not in one fhoe. 
 
 Patience, time, and money accommodate all things 
 For want of a nail the fhoe is loft, for want of a fhoe 
 
 the horfe is loft, for want of a horfe the rider is loft. 
 Weight juftly, and fell dearly. 
 Little wealth little care. 
 
 Little journeys and good coft bring fafe home. 
 Gluttony kills more than the fword. 
 When children ftand quiet, they have done fome ill. 
 A little and good fills the trencher. 
 A penny fpared is twice got, 
 When a knave is in a plum-tree, he hath neither friend 
 
 nor kin. 
 Short boughs, long vintage. 
 Health without money is half an ague. 
 If the wife erred not, it would go hard with fools. 
 Bear with evil, and expect good. 
 He that tells a fecret is another's fervant. 
 If all fools wore white Caps, we fhould feem a flock of 
 
 geefe. 
 Water, fire and foldiers, quickly make room. 
 Penfion never enriched a young man. 
 Under water, famine ; under fnow, bread. 
 The Lame goes as far as your ftaggerer. 
 He that lofeth is Merchant, as well as he that gains. 
 A jade eats as much as a good horfe. 
 All things in their being are good for fomething. 
 One flower makes no garland. 
 
 r\p* 
 
 i 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 319 
 
 A fair death honours the whole life. 
 
 One enemy is too much. 
 
 Living well is the beft revenge. 
 
 One fool makes a hundred. 
 
 One pair of ears draws dry a hundred tongues. 
 
 A fool may throw a ftone into a well, which a hundred 
 
 wife men cannot pull out. 
 One number finds another. 
 On a good bargain think twice. 
 To a good fpender God is the Treafurer 
 A curfl Cow hath fhort horns. 
 Mufic helps not the tooth-ache. 
 We cannot come to honour under Coverlet. 
 Great pains quickly find eafe. 
 To the counfel of fools a wooden bell. 
 The choleric man never wants woe. 
 Help thyfelf, and God will help thee. 
 At the game's end we (hall fee who gains. 
 There are many ways to fame. 
 Love is the true price of love- 
 Love rules his kingdom without a fword. 
 Love makes all hearts gentle. 
 Love makes a good eye fquint. 
 Love afks faith, and faith firmnefs. 
 A fceptre is one thing, and a ladle another. 
 Great trees are good for nothing but made. 
 He commands enough that obeys a wife man. 
 Fair words make me look to my purfe. 
 Though the fox run the chicken hath wings. 
 * He plays well that wins. 
 You muft ftrike in meafure, when there are many to 
 
 ftrike on one anvil. 
 The fhorteft anfwer is doing. 
 It is a poor ftake that cannot ftand one year in the 
 
 ground. 
 He that commits a fault thinks every one fpeaks of it 
 
320 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 He that is foolifh in the fault, let him be wife in the 
 
 punimment. 
 The blind eats many a fly. 
 He that can make a fire well can end a quarrel. 
 The tooth-ache is more eafe than to deal with ill 
 
 people. 
 He that would have what he hath not, mould do what 
 
 he doth not. 
 He that hath no good trade it is to his lofs. 
 The offender never pardons. 
 
 He thai lives not well one year, forrows feven after. 
 He that hopes not for good, fears not evil. 
 He that is angry at a feaft, is rude. 
 He that mocks a cripple ought to be whole. 
 When the tree is fallen, all go with their hatchet. 
 He that hath horns in his bofom let him not put them 
 
 on his head. 
 He that burns moft, mines moft. 
 He that trufts in a lie, fhall perifh in truth. 
 He that blows in the duft, fills his eyes with it. 
 Bells call others, but themfelves enter not into the 
 
 Church. 
 Of fair things, the Autumn is fair. 
 Giving is dead, reftoring very fick. 
 A gift much expected is paid, not given.- 
 Two ill meals make the third a glutton. 
 The Royal Crown cures not the head-ache. 
 'Tis hard to be wretched, but worfe to be known fo. 
 A feather in hand is better than a bird in the air. 
 It is better to be the head of a Lizard than the tail of a 
 
 Lion. 
 Good and quickly feldom meet. 
 Folly grows without watering. 
 Happier are the hands compaffed with iron, than a 
 
 heart with thoughts. 
 If the ttaff be crooked, the fhadow cannot be frraight. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 32I 
 
 To take the nuts from the fire with the dog's foot. 
 
 He is a fool that makes a wedge of his fift. 
 
 Valour that parleys, is near yielding. 
 
 Thurfday come, and the week is gone. 
 
 A flatterer's throat is an open fepulchre. 
 
 There is great force hidden in a fweet command. 
 
 The command of cuftom is great. 
 
 To have money is a fear, not to have it a grief. 
 
 The Cat fees not the moufe ever. 
 
 Little dogs ftart the hare, the great get her. 
 
 Willows are weak, yet they bind other wood. 
 
 A good payer is mafter of another's purfe. 
 
 The thread breaks where it is weakeft. 
 
 Old men, when they fcorn young, make much of 
 death. 
 
 God is at the end, when we think he is furtheft off it. 
 
 A good Judge conceives quickly, judges flowly. 
 
 Rivers need a fpring. 
 
 He that contemplates hath a day without night. 
 
 Give lofers leave to talk. 
 
 Lofs embraceth {hame. 
 
 Gaming, Women, and Wine, while they laugh, they 
 make men pine. 
 
 The fat man knoweth not what the lean thinketh. 
 
 Wood half burnt is eafily kindled. 
 
 The fifh adores the bait. 
 
 He that goeth far hath many encounters. 
 
 Every bee's honey is fweet. 
 
 The flothful is the fervant of the counters. 
 
 Wifdom hath one foot on land, and another on Sea. 
 
 The thought hath good legs, and the quill a good 
 tongue. 
 
 A wife man needs not blufh for changing his purpofe. 
 
 The March fun raifes, but diffolves not. 
 
 Time is the Rider that breaks youth. 
 
 The wine in the bottle doth not quench thirft. 
 
 Y 
 
322 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 The fight of a man hath the force of a Lion. 
 
 An examined enterprize goes on boldly. 
 
 In every art it is good to have a mafter. 
 
 In every Country dogs bite. 
 
 In every country the fun rifes in the morning. 
 
 A noble plant fuits not with a ftubborn ground. 
 
 You may bring a horfe to the river 5 but he will drink 
 when and what he pleafeth. 
 
 Before you make a friend, eat a bufhelof fait with him. 
 
 Speak fitly, or be filent wifely. 
 
 Skill and confidence are an unconquered army. 
 
 I was taken by a morfel,fays the fifh. 
 
 A difarmed peace is weak. 
 
 The balance diftinguifheth not between gold and lead. 
 
 The perfuafion of the fortunate fways the doubtful. 
 To be beloved is above all bargains. 
 To deceive onefelf is very eafy. 
 The reafons of the poor weigh not. 
 Perverfenefs makes one fquint-eyed. 
 The evening praifes the day, and the morning a froft. 
 The table robs more than the thief. 
 When age is jocund, it makes fport for death. 
 True praife roots and fpreads. 
 Fears are divided in the midft. 
 The foul needs few things, the body many. 
 Aftrology is true, but the Afirologers cannot find it. 
 Tie it well, and let it go. 
 Empty veiTels found mot 
 Send not a cat for lard. 
 Foolifh tongues talk by the dozen. 
 Love makes one fit for any work. 
 A pitiful mother makes a fcald head. 
 An old Phyfician, and a young Lawyer. 
 Talk much, and err much, fays the Spaniard. 
 Some make a confcience of fpitting in the Church, yet 
 rob the Altar. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 323 
 
 An idle head is a box for the wind. 
 
 Show me a liar, and I will mow thee a thief. 
 
 A bean in liberty is better than a comfit in prifon. 
 
 None is born Mafter. 
 
 Show a good man his error, and he turns it to a virtue \ 
 
 but an ill, it doubles his fault. 
 None is offended but by himfelf. 
 None fays his Garner is full. 
 In the hufband wifdom, in the wife gentlenefs. 
 Nothing dries fooner than a tear. 
 In a leopard the fpots are not obferved. 
 Nothing lafts but the Church. 
 A wife man cares not for what he cannot have. 
 It is not good filhing before the net. 
 He cannot be virtuous that is not rigorous. 
 That which will not be fpun, let it not come between 
 
 the fpindle and the diftafF. 
 When my houfe burns, it is not good playing at Chefs. 
 No barber {haves fo clofe but another finds work. 
 There is no great banquet, but fome fares ill. 
 . A holy habit cleanfeth not a foul foul. 
 Forbear not fowing becaufe of birds. 
 Mention not a halter in the houfe of him that was 
 
 hanged. 
 Speak not of a dead man at the table. 
 A hat is not made for one fhower. 
 No fooner is a Temple built to God, but the Devil 
 
 builds a Chapel hard by. 
 Every one puts his fault on the Times. 
 You cannot make a windmill go with a pair of bellows. 
 Pardon all but thyfelf. 
 Every one is weary, the poor in feeking, the rich in 
 
 keeping, the good in learning. 
 The efcaped moufe ever feels the tafte of the bait. 
 A little wind kindles, much puts out the fire. 
 Dry bread at home is better than roaft meat abroad. 
 
 Y 2 
 
324 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 More have repented fpeech than filence. 
 
 The covetous fpends more than the liberal. 
 
 Divine afhes are better than earthly meal. 
 
 Beauty draws more than oxen. 
 
 One father is more than a hundred School-mafters. 
 
 One eye of the mailer's fees more than ten of the 
 
 fervants'. 
 When God will punifh, he will firit take away the 
 
 underftanding. 
 A little labour, much health. 
 When it thunders the thief becomes honeft. 
 The tree that God plants, no wind hurts it. 
 Knowledge is no burthen. 
 It is a bold moufe that neftles in the cat's ear. 
 Long jefting was never good. 
 If a good man thrive, all thrive with him. 
 If the mother had not been in the oven, ihe had never 
 
 fought her daughter there. 
 If great men would have care of little ones, both would 
 
 laft long. 
 Though you fee a Church-man ill, yet continue in the 
 
 Church ftill. 
 Old praife dies, unlefs you feed it. 
 If things were to be done twice, all would be wife. 
 Had you the world on your Chefs-board, you could 
 
 not fill all to your mind. 
 Suffer and expect. 
 
 If fools ihould not fool it, they iliall lofe their feafon. 
 Love and bufmefs teach eloquence. 
 That which two will, takes effect. 
 He complains wrongfully on the fea, that twice fuffers 
 
 ihipwreck. 
 He is only bright that ihines by himfelf. 
 A valiant man's look is more than a coward's fword. 
 The effect fpeaks, the tongue needs not. 
 Divine grace was never flow. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 325 
 
 Reafon lies between the fpur and the bridle. 
 It is a proud horfe that will not carry his own proven- 
 der. 
 Three women make a market. 
 * Three can hold their peace if two be away. 
 It is an ill counfel that hath no efcape. 
 All our pomp the earth covers. 
 To whirl the eyes too much, mows a kite's brain. 
 Comparifons are odious. 
 All keys hang not on one girdle. 
 Great bufineffes turn on a little pin. 
 The wind in one's face makes one wife. 
 All the arms of England will not arm fear. 
 One fword keeps another in the fheath. 
 *Be what thou wouldft feem to be. 
 Let all live as they would die. 
 A gentle heart is tied with an eafy thread. 
 Sweet difcourfe makes fhort days and nights. 
 God provides for him that trufteth. 
 He that will not have peace, God gives him war. 
 To him that will, ways are not wanting. 
 To a great night, a great Lanthorn. 
 To a child all weather is cold. 
 Where there is peace, God is. 
 None is fo wife, but the fool overtakes him. 
 Fools give to pleafe all but their own. 
 Profperity lets go the bridle. 
 The Friar preached againft ftealing, and had a goofe in 
 
 his fleeve. 
 To be too bufy gets contempt. 
 February makes a bridge, and March breaks it. 
 A horfe ftumbles that hath four legs. 
 The bed fmell is. bread, the beft favour fait, the beft 
 
 love that of children. 
 That is the beft gown that goes up and down the houfe. 
 The Market is the beft Garden, 
 
326 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 The firft difh pleafeth all. 
 
 The higher the Ape goes, the more he fhows his tail. 
 
 Night is the mother of Councils. 
 
 God's Mill grinds flow, but fure. 
 
 Every one thinks his fack heavieft. 
 
 Drought never brought dearth. 
 
 All complain. 
 
 Gamefters and race-horfes never laft long. 
 
 It is a poor fport that is not worth the candle. 
 
 He that is fallen cannot help him that is down. 
 
 Every one is witty for his own purpofe. 
 
 A little let lets an ill workman. 
 
 Good workmen are feldom rich. 
 
 By doing nothing we learn to do ill. 
 
 A great dowry is a bed full of brambles. 
 
 No profit to honour, no honour to Religion. 
 
 Every fin brings its punifhment with it. 
 
 Of him that fpeaks ill, confider the life more than the 
 
 word. 
 You cannot hide an eel in a fack. 
 Give not Saint Peter fo much, to leave Saint Paul 
 
 nothing. 
 You cannot flay a ftone. 
 The chief difeafe that reigns this year is folly. 
 A fleepy matter makes his fervant a Lout. 
 Better fpeak truth rudely, than lie covertly. 
 He that fears leaves, let him not go into the wood. 
 One foot is better than two crutches. 
 Better fuffer ill, than do ill. 
 Neither praife nor difpraife thyfelf, thy actions ferve the 
 
 turn. 
 Soft and fair goes far. 
 The conftancy of the benefit of the year in their feafons 
 
 argues a Deity. 
 Praife none too much, for all are fickle. 
 It is abfurd to warm one in his armour. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 327 
 
 Lawfuits confume time, and money, and reft, and 
 friends. 
 
 Nature draws more than ten teams. 
 
 He that hath a wife and children, wants not bufmefs. 
 
 A fhip and a woman are ever repairing. 
 
 He that fears death, lives not. 
 
 He that pities another, remembers himfelf. 
 
 He that doth what he mould not, mail feel what he 
 would not. 
 i He that marries for wealth, fells his liberty. 
 
 He that once hits, is ever bending. 
 
 He that ferves, muft ferve. 
 
 He that lends, gives. 
 
 He that preacheth, giveth alms. 
 
 He that cockers his child, provides for his enemy. 
 
 A .pitiful look afks enough. 
 
 Who will fell the cow, muft fay the word. 
 
 Service is no inheritance. 
 
 The faulty ftands on his guard. 
 
 A kinfman, a friend, or whom you entreat, take not to 
 ferve you, if you will be ferved neatly. 
 
 At Court, every one for himfelf. 
 
 To a crafty man, a crafty and a half. 
 • He that is thrown, would ever wreftle. 
 
 He that ferves well, need not afk his wages. 
 
 Fair language grates not the tongue. 
 
 A good heart cannot lie. 
 
 Good fwimmers at length are drowned. 
 
 Good land, evil way. 
 
 In doing we learn. 
 
 It is good walking with a horfe in one's hand. 
 
 God, and Parents, and our Matter, can never be re- 
 quited. 
 
 An ill deed cannot bring honour. 
 
 A fmall heart hath fmall defires. 
 
 All are not merry that dance lightly. 
 
328 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Courtefy on one fide only lafts not long. 
 
 Wine-Counfels feldom profper. 
 
 Weening is not meafure. 
 
 The bell of the fport is to do the deed, and fay nothing. 
 
 If thou thyfelf canft do it, attend no other's help or 
 
 hand. 
 Of a little thing, a little difpleafeth. 
 He warms too near that burns. 
 God keep me from four houfes, a Ufurer's, a Tavern, 
 
 a Spital, and a Prifon. 
 In a hundred ells of contention there is not an inch of 
 
 love. 
 Do what thou oughteft, and come what come can. 
 Hunger makes dinners, paftime fuppers. 
 In a long journey ftraw weighs. 
 Women laugh when they can, and weep when they 
 
 will. 
 War is death's feaft. 
 Set good againft evil. 
 He that brings good news knocks hard. 
 Beat the Dog before the Lion. 
 Hafte comes not alone. 
 You muft lofe a fly to catch a trout. 
 Better a fnotty child than his nofe wiped off. 
 He is not free that draws his chain. 
 He goes not out of his way that goes to a good inn. 
 There comes nought out of the fack, but what was 
 
 there. 
 A little given feafonably, excufes a great gift. 
 He looks not well to himfelf that looks not ever. 
 He thinks not well, that thinks not again. 
 Religion, Credit, and the Eye are not to be touched. 
 The tongue is not fteel, yet it cuts. 
 A white wall is the paper of a fool. 
 They talk of Chriftmas fo long, that it comes. 
 That is gold which is worth gold. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 920 
 
 It is good tying the fack before it be full. 
 
 Words are women, deeds are men. 
 
 Poverty is no fin. 
 
 A ftone in a well is not loft. 
 
 He can give little to his fervant that licks his knife. 
 
 Promifing is the eve of giving. 
 
 He that keeps his own, makes war. 
 
 The wolf muft die in his own fkin. 
 
 Goods are theirs that enjoy them. 
 
 He that fends a fool, expects one. 
 
 He that can ftay, obtains. 
 
 He that gains well and fpends well, needs no account 
 book. 
 
 He that endures is not overcome. 
 
 He that gives all before he dies, provides to fuffer. 
 
 He that talks much of his happinefs, fummons grief. 
 
 He that loves the tree, loves the branch. 
 
 Who haftens a glutton, chokes him. 
 
 Who praifeth St. Peter, doth not blame St. Paul. 
 
 He that hath not the craft, let him fhut up (hop. 
 
 He that knows nothing, doubts nothing. 
 
 Green wood makes a hot fire. 
 ■ He that marries late, marries ill. 
 
 He that paffeth a winter's day, efcapes an enemy. 
 
 The rich knows not who is his friend. 
 
 A morning Sun, and a Wine-bred child, and a Latin- 
 bred woman feldom end well. 
 
 To a clofe fhorn fheep, God gives wind by meafure. 
 
 A pleafure long expected, is dear enough fold. 
 
 A poor man's cow dies a rich man's child. 
 
 The cow knows not what her tail is worth till fhe has 
 loft it. 
 
 Choofe a horfe made, and a wife to make. 
 
 It is an ill air where we gain nothing. 
 
 He hath not lived, that lives not afcer death. 
 
 So many men in court, and fo many ftrangers. 
 
33° Herbert's prose works. 
 
 He quits his place well, that leaves his friend here. 
 
 That which fufficeth is not little. 
 
 Good news may be told at any time, but ill in the 
 
 morning. 
 He that would be a gentleman, let him go to an affault. 
 Who pays the phyfician does the cure. 
 None knows the weight of another's burthen. 
 Every one hath a fool in his fleeve. 
 One hour's fleep before midnight is worth three after. 
 In a retreat the lame are foremoft. 
 It is more pain to do nothing than fomething. 
 Amongfr. good men two men fuffice. 
 There needs a long time to know the world's pulfe. 
 The offfpring of thofe that are very young, or very 
 
 old, lafts not. 
 A tyrant is moft tyrant to himfelf. 
 Too much taking heed is lofs. 
 Craft againft craft, makes no living. 
 The Reverend are ever before. 
 France is a meadow that cuts thrice a year. 
 It is eafier to build two chimneys, than to maintain one. 
 The Court hath no Almanack. 
 
 He that will enter into Paradife, muft have a good key. 
 When you enter into a houfe, leave the anger ever at 
 
 the door. 
 He hath no leifure who ufeth it not. 
 It is a wicked thing to make a dearth one's garner. 
 He that deals in the world needs four fieves. 
 Take heed of an ox before, of a horfe behind, of a 
 
 monk on all fides. 
 The year does nothing elfe but open and fhut. 
 The ignorant hath an Eagle's wings and an Owl's eyes. 
 There are more Phyficians in health than drunkards. 
 The wife is the key of the houfe. 
 The Law is not the fame at morning and at night. 
 War and Phyfic are governed by the eye. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 33I 
 
 Half the world knows not how the other half lives. 
 
 Death keeps no Calendar. 
 
 Ships fear fire more than water. 
 
 The leaf! foolifh is wife. 
 
 The chief box of health is time. 
 
 Silks and Satins put out the fire in the chimney. 
 
 The firft blow is as much as two. 
 
 The life of man is a winter way. 
 
 The way is an ill neighbour. 
 
 An old man's ftaff is the rapper of death's door. 
 
 Life is half fpent, before we know what it is. 
 
 The finging man keeps his fhop in his throat. 
 
 The body is more dreffed than the foul. 
 
 The body is fooner dreffed than the foul. 
 
 The Phyfician owes all to the patient, but the patient 
 owes nothing to him but a little money. 
 
 The little cannot be great, unlefs he devour many. 
 
 Time undermines us. 
 
 The Choleric drinks, the Melancholic eats, the Phleg- 
 matic fleeps. 
 
 The Apothecary's mortar fpoils the luter's mufic. 
 
 Converfation makes one what he is. 
 
 The deaf gains the injury. 
 
 Years know more than books. 
 
 Wine is a turn-coat (firft a friend, then an enemy.) 
 
 Wine ever pays for his lodging. 
 
 Wine makes all forts of creatures at table. 
 
 Wine that coft nothing is digefted before it be drunk. 
 
 Trees eat but once. 
 
 Armour is light at table. 
 
 Good horfes make fhort miles. 
 
 Caftles are Forefts of ftones. 
 
 The dainties of the great are the tears of the poor. 
 
 Parfons are fouls' waggoners. 
 t Children when they are little make parents fools, when 
 they are great they make them mad. 
 
332 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 The Mafter abfent, and the houfe dead. 
 
 Dogs are fine in the field. 
 
 Sins are not known till they be acted. 
 
 Thorns whiten, yet do nothing. 
 
 All are prefumed good till they are found in a fault. 
 
 The great put the little on the hook. 
 
 The great would have none great, and the little all 
 little. 
 
 The Italians are wife before the deed, the Germans in 
 the deed, the French after the deed. 
 
 Every mile is two in winter. 
 
 Spectacles are death's Arquebufe. 
 • Lawyers' houfes are built on the heads of fools. 
 
 The houfe is a fine houfe when good folks are within. 
 
 The beft bred have the beft portion. 
 The firft and laft frofts are the worft. 
 Gifts enter every where without a wimble. 
 
 Princes have no way. 
 
 Knowledge makes one laugh, but wealth makes one 
 
 dance. 
 The Citizen is at his bufinefs before he rife. 
 The eyes have one language every where. 
 It is better to have wings than horns. 
 Better be a fool than a knave. 
 Count not four, except you have them in a wallet. 
 To live peaceably with all, breeds good blood. 
 You may be on land, yet not in a garden. 
 You cannot make the fire fo low, but it will get out. 
 We know not who lives or dies. 
 
 An ox is taken by the horns, and a man by the tongue. 
 Many things are loft for want of afking. 
 No Church-yard is fo handfome, that a man would 
 defire ftraio;ht to be buried there. 
 
 . o 
 
 Cities are taken by the ears. 
 
 Once a year a man may fay, On his confcience. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 333 
 
 We leave more to do when we die, than we have 
 
 done. 
 With cuftoms we live well, but laws undo us. 
 To fpeak of a Ufurer at the table, mars the wine. 
 Pains to get, care to keep, fear to lofe. 
 For a morning rain, leave not your journey. 
 One fair day in winter makes not birds merry. 
 He that learns a trade, hath a purchafe made. 
 When all men have what belongs to them, it cannot 
 
 be much. 
 Though God foke the fun out of the heaven, yet we 
 
 muft have patience. 
 When a man fleeps, his head is in his ftomach. 
 When one is on horfeback, he knows all things. 
 When God is made the mafter of a family, he orders 
 
 the diforderly. 
 When a Lackey comes to helPs door, the Devils lock 
 
 the gates. 
 He that is at eafe, feeks dainties. 
 He that hath charge of fouls, tranfports them not in 
 
 bundles. 
 He that tells his wife news, is but newly married. 
 He that is in a town in May lofeth his Spring. 
 He that is in a Tavern, thinks he is in a vine-garden. 
 He that praifeth himfelf, fpattereth himfelf. 
 He that is a mafter, muft ferve (another). 
 He that is furprifed with the firft froft, feels it all the 
 
 winter after. 
 He a beaft doth die, that hath done no good to his 
 
 country. 
 He that follows the Lord, hopes to go before. 
 He that dies without the company of good men, puts 
 
 not himfelf into a good way. 
 Who hath no head, needs no heart. 
 Who hath no hafte in his bufinefs, mountains to him 
 
 feem valleys. 
 
334 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 Speak not of my debts, unlefs you mean to pay the: 
 He that is not in the wars, is not out of danger. 
 He that gives me fmall gifts, would have me live. 
 He that is his own Counfellor, knows nothing fure but 
 
 what he hath laid out. 
 He that hath lands, hath quarrels. 
 He that goes to bed thirfty, rifeth healthy. 
 Who will make a door of gold, muft knock a nail every 
 
 day. 
 A trade is better than fervice. 
 He that lives in hope, danceth without mufic. 
 To review one's ftore is to mow twice. 
 Saint Luke was a Saint and a Phyfician, yet is dead. 
 Without bufinefs, debauchery. 
 Without danger we cannot get beyond danger. 
 Health and ficknefs furely are men's double enemies. 
 If gold knew what gold is, gold would get gold, I wis. 
 Little loffes amaze, great tame. 
 Choofe none for thy fervant who have ferved thy 
 
 betters. 
 Service without reward is puniihment. 
 If the hufband be not at home, there is nobody. 
 An oath that is not to be made, is not to be kept. 
 The eye is bigger than the belly. 
 If you would be at eafe, all the world is not. 
 Were it not for the bone in the leg, all the world would 
 
 turn Carpenters. 
 If you muft fly, fly well. 
 All that makes falls not. 
 All beafts of prey are ftrong, or treacherous. 
 If the brain fows not corn, it plants thiftles. 
 A man well mounted is ever Choleric. 
 Every one is a mafter and fervant. 
 A piece of a Church-yard fits every body. 
 One mouth doth nothing without another. 
 A mafter of ftraw eats a fervant of ft eel. 
 
 i 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 335 
 
 An old cat fports not with her prey. 
 
 A woman conceals what (he knows not. 
 
 He that wipes the child's nofe, kifieth the mother's 
 cheek.* 
 
 Gentility is nothing but Ancient Riches. 
 
 To go where the King goes afoot. 
 
 To go upon the Francifcan's Hackney. 
 
 Amiens was taken by the Fox, and retaken by the 
 Lion. 
 
 After Death the Doctor. 
 
 Ready money is a ready Medicine. 
 
 It is the Philofophy of the Diftaff. 
 
 It is a fheep of Beery, it is marked on the nofe : applied 
 to thofe that have a blow. 
 
 To build caftles in Spain. 
 
 An idle youth, a needy Age. 
 
 Silk doth quench the fire in the Kitchen. 
 
 The words ending in ique^ do mock the Phyfician ; as 
 Heitique, Paralitique, Apopledtique, Lethargique. 
 
 He that trufts much Obliges much, fays the Spaniard. 
 
 He that thinks amifs, concludes worfe. 
 
 A man would live in Italy (a place of pleafure) but he 
 would choofe to die in Spain, where they fay the Ca- 
 tholic Religion is profeffed with greateft ftrictnefs. 
 
 Whatfoever was the father of a difeafe, an ill diet was 
 the mother. 
 
 Frenzy, Herefy, and Jealoufy, feldom cured. 
 
 There is no heat of affection but is joined with fome 
 idlenefs of brain, fays the Spaniard. 
 
 The War is not done fo long as my Enemy lives. 
 
 Some evils are cured by contempt. 
 
 Power feldom grows old at Court. 
 
 Danger itfelf the beft remedy for danger. 
 
 Favour will as furely periih as life. 
 
 * The proverbs which follow were added to the fecond edition. 
 
336 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Fear the Beadle of the Law. 
 Herefy is the fchool of pride. 
 For the fame man to be a heretic and a good fubjec~t, 
 
 is impoffible. 
 Herefy may be eafier kept out than (hook off. 
 Infants' manners are moulded more by the example of 
 
 Parents, than by {tars at their nativities. 
 They favour learning whofe actions are worthy of a 
 
 learned pen. 
 Modefly fets off one newly come to honour. 
 No naked man is fought after to be rifled. 
 There is no fuch conquering weapon as the neceffity 
 
 of conquering. 
 Nothing fecure unlefs fufpected. 
 No tie can oblige the perfidious. 
 Spies are the ears and eyes of Princes. 
 The life of fpies is to know, not be known. 
 Religion a {talking horfe to {hoot other fowl. 
 It is a dangerous fire begins in the bed ftraw. 
 Covetoufnefs breaks the bag. 
 Fear keeps and looks to the vineyard, and not the 
 
 owner. 
 The noife is greater than the nuts. 
 Two fparrows on one Ear of Corn make an ill agree- 
 ment. 
 The world is now a-days, God fave the Conqueror. 
 Unfound minds, like unfound Bodies, if you feed, you 
 
 poifon. 
 Not only ought fortune to be pictured on a wheel, but 
 
 every thing elfe in this world. 
 All covet, all lofe. 
 
 Better is one Accipe, than twice to fay, Dabo tiki. 
 An Afs endures his burden, but not more than his 
 
 burden. 
 Threatened men eat bread, fays the Spaniard. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 337 
 
 The beads in the hand, and the Devil in Capuch ; or, 
 
 cape of the cloak. 
 He that will do thee a good turn, either he will be gone 
 
 or die. 
 I efcaped the Thunder, and fell into the Lightning. 
 A man of a great memory without learning, hath a 
 
 rock and a fpindle, and no ftaff to fpin. 
 The death of wolves is the fafety of the fheep. 
 He that is once born, once muft die. 
 He that hath but one eye, muft be afraid to lofe it. 
 He that makes himfelf a fheep, fhall be eat by the wolf. 
 He that fteals an egg, will fteal an ox. 
 He that will be furety, fhall pay. 
 He that is afraid of leaves, goes not to the wood. 
 In the mouth of a bad dog falls often a good bone. 
 Thofe that God loves, do not live long. 
 Still fiftieth he that catcheth one. 
 All flefh is not venifon. 
 A City that parleys is half gotten. 
 A dead bee maketh no honey. 
 An old dog barks not in vain. 
 They that hold the greateft farms, pay the leaft rent : 
 
 (applied to rich men that are unthankful to God.) 
 Old Camels carry young Camel's fkins to the market. 
 He that hath time and looks for better time, time comes 
 
 that he repents himfelf of time. 
 Words and feathers the wind carries away. 
 Of a pig's tail you can never make a good ftiaft. 
 The Bath of the Blackamoor hathfworn not to whiten. 
 To a greedy eating horfe a ftiort halter. 
 The Devil divides the world between Atheifm and 
 
 Superftition. 
 Such a Saint, fuch an offering. 
 We do it foon enough, if that we do be well. 
 Ciuelty is more cruel, if we defer the pain. 
 W hat one day gives us, another takes away from us. 
 
 z 
 
338 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 To feek in a fheep five feet when there are but four. 
 A fcabbed horfe cannot abide the comb. 
 God ftrikes with his finger, and not with all his arm. 
 God gives his wrath by weight, and without weight his 
 
 mercy. 
 Of a new Prince, new bondage. 
 New things are fair. 
 
 Fortune to one is Mother, to another is Stepmother. 
 There is no man, though never fo little, but fometimes 
 
 he can hurt. 
 The horfe that draws after him his halter, is not alto- 
 gether efcaped. 
 We muft recoil a little, to the end we may leap the 
 
 better. 
 No love is foul, nor prifon fair. 
 No day fo clear, but hath dark clouds. 
 No hair fo fmall, but hath his fhadow. 
 A wolf will never make war againft another wolf. 
 We muft love, as looking one day to hate. 
 It is good to have fome friends both in heaven and 
 
 hell. 
 It is very hard to fhave an egg. 
 It is good to hold the afs by the bridle. 
 The healthful man can give counfel to the fick. 
 The death of a young wolf doth never come too foon. 
 The rage of a wild boar is able to fpoil more than one 
 
 wood. 
 Virtue flies from the heart of a Mercenary man. 
 The wolf eats oft of the fheep that have been warned. 
 The moufe that hath but one hole is quickly taken. 
 To play at Chefs when the houfe is on fire. 
 The itch of difputing is the fcab of the Church. 
 Follow not truth too near the heels, left it dafti out thy 
 
 teeth. 
 Either wealth is much increafed, or moderation is much 
 
 decayed. 
 
JACULA PRUDENTUM. 339 
 
 Say to pleafure, Gentle Eve, I will none of your apple. 
 When war begins, then hell openeth. 
 There is a remedy for everything could men find it. 
 There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his 
 
 life could he find it. 
 Great Fortune brings with it great Miffortune. 
 A fair day in winter is the mother of a ftorm. 
 Woe be to him that reads but one book. 
 Tithe, and be rich. 
 
 ^ The wrath of a mighty man, and the tumult 
 
 • of the people. 
 Mad folks in a narrow place. 
 Credit decayed, and people that have nothing. 
 Take A young wench, a prophetefs, and a Latin-bred 
 heed J woman. 
 of I A perfon marked, and a Widow thrice married. 
 Foul dirty ways, and long ficknefs. 
 Wind that comes in at a hole, and a reconciled 
 
 Enemy. 
 . A ftep-mother ; the very name of her fufficeth. 
 Princes are venifon in Heaven. 
 Critics are like brufhers of Nobleman's clothes. 
 He is a great Necromancer, for he afks counfel of the 
 
 Dead : i. e. books. 
 A man is known to be mortal by two things, Sleep and 
 
 Luft. 
 Love without end, hath no end, fays the Spaniard : 
 meaning, if it were not begun on particular ends, it 
 would laft. 
 Stay awhile, that we may make an end the fooner. 
 Prefents of love fear not to be ill taken of ftrangers. 
 To feek thefe things is loft labour : Geefe in an oil- 
 pot, fat Hogs among Jews, and Wine in a fifhing 
 net. 
 Some men plant an opinion they feem to eradicate. 
 The Philofophy of Princes is to dive into the fecrets of 
 z 2 
 
340 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 Men, leaving the fecrets of nature to thofe that have 
 
 fpare time. 
 States have their converfions and periods as well as 
 
 natural bodies. 
 Great defer vers grow Intolerable prefumers. 
 The love of money and the love of learning rarely 
 
 meet. 
 Trull no friend with that you need, fear him as if he 
 
 were your enemy. 
 Some had rather lofe their friend than their Jeft. 
 Marry your daughters betimes, left they marry them 
 
 felves. 
 Soldiers in peace are like chimneys in fummer. 
 Here is a talk of the Turk and the Pope, but my next 
 
 neighbour doth me more harm than either of them 
 
 both. 
 Civil Wars of France made a million of Atheifts, and 
 
 thirty thoufand Witches. 
 We Bachelors laugh and fhow our teeth, but you mar- 
 ried men laugh till your hearts ache. 
 The Devil never aiTails a man except he find him 
 
 either void of knowledge, or of the fear of God. 
 There is nobody will go to hell for company. 
 Much money makes a Country poor, for it lets a dearer 
 
 price on everything. 
 The virtue of a coward is fufpicion. 
 A man's deftiny is always dark. 
 
 Every man's cenfure is firft moulded in his own nature. 
 Money wants no followers. 
 
 Your thoughts clofe, and your countenance loofe. 
 Whatever is made by the hand of man, by the hand 
 
 of man may be overturned. 
 
 
Letters of George Herbert. 
 
 From George Herbert to Mr. H. Herbert.* 
 
 T 
 
 Brother, 1618. 
 
 HE difeafe which I am troubled with now is the 
 fhortnefs of time, for it hath been my fortune of 
 late to have fuch fudden warning, that I have not lei- 
 fure to impart unto you fome of thofe obfervations 
 which I have framed to myfelf in converfation ; and 
 whereof I would not have you ignorant. As I fhall 
 find occafion, you fhall receive them by pieces ; and 
 if there be any fuch which you have found ufeful to 
 yourfelf, communicate them to me. You live in a 
 brave nation, where, except you wink, you cannot but 
 fee many brave examples. Be covetous, then, of all 
 good which you fee in Frenchmen, whether it be in 
 knowledge, or in fafhion, or in words ; for I would 
 have you, even in fpeeches to obferve fo much, as 
 when you meet with a witty French fpeech, try to 
 
 * " Henry, after he had been brought up in learning, as the 
 other brothers were, was lent by his friends into France, where he 
 attained the language of that country in perfection, after which 
 he came to court, and was made Gentleman of the King's Privy 
 Chamber, and Mafter of the Revels ; by which means, as alio by 
 a good marriage, he attained to great fortunes, for himfeif and 
 his pofterity to enjoy. He alfo hath given leveral proofs of his 
 courage in duels, and otherwile, being no lei's dextrous in the 
 ways of the Court, as having gotten much by it." — Life of him- 
 feif, by Lord Herbert of Cherbury. Henry was the fixth fon. 
 
342 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 fpeak the like in Englifh : So fhall you play a good 
 merchant, by tranfporting French commodities to your 
 own country. Let there be no kind of excellency 
 which it is poffible for you to attain to, which you 
 feek not ; and have a good conceit of your wit, mark 
 what I fay, have a good conceit of your wit ; that 
 is, be proud, not with a foolifh vaunting of yourfelf 
 when there is no caufe, but by fetting a juft price of 
 your qualities : And it is the part of a poor fpirit to 
 undervalue himfelf and blum. But I am out of my 
 time : When I have more time, you mail hear more ; 
 and write you freely to me in your letters, for I am 
 your ever loving Brother, 
 
 G. Herbert. 
 
 P.S. My Brother is fomewhat of the fame temper, 
 and perhaps a little more mild, but you will hardly 
 perceive it. 
 
 To my dear Brother, 
 
 Mr. Henry Herbert, at Paris. 
 
 To Sir Henry Herbert. 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 IT is fo long fince I heard from you, that I long to 
 hear both how you and yours do : and alfo what 
 becomes of you this fummer. It is the whole amount 
 of this letter, and therefore entertain it accordingly 
 from your very affectionate brother, 
 
 G. Herbert. 
 
 7 June, Bemerton. 
 
 My wife's and Nieces' fervice to you. 
 
LETTERS. 343 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 I WAS glad of your Cambridge news, but you joyed 
 me exceedingly with your relation of my Lady 
 Duchefs's forwardnefs in our Church building. I am 
 glad I ufed you in it, and you have no caufe to be 
 forry, fince it is God's bufinefs. If there fall out yet 
 any rub, you mail hear of me ; and your offering ot 
 yourfelf to move my Lords of Manchefter and Bol- 
 ingbroke is very welcome to me. To fhow a forward- 
 nefs in religious works is a good teftimony of a good 
 Spirit. The Lord blefs you, and make you abound 
 m every good work, to the joy of your ever loving 
 Brother, 
 
 G. Herbert. 
 March 21, Bemerton. 
 
 To my dear Brother, 
 Sir Henry Herbert, at Court. 
 
 Dear Brother, 
 
 THAT you did not only entertain my propofals, 
 but advance them, was lovingly done, and like a 
 a good Brother. Yet truly it was none of my mean- 
 ing, when I wrote, to put one of our Nieces into your 
 hands, but barely what I wrote I meant, and no more ; 
 and am glad that although you offer more, yet you 
 will do, as you write, that alfo. I was defirous to put 
 a good mind into the way of Charity, and that was all 
 I intended. For concerning your offer of receiving 
 one, I will tell you what I wrote to our eldefl Brother, 
 when he urged one upon me, and but one, and that at 
 my choice. I wrote to him that I would have both or 
 neither ; and that upon this ground, becaufe they were 
 
344 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 to come into an unknown country, tender in know- 
 ledge, fenfe and age, and knew none but one who 
 could be no company to them. Therefore I con- 
 sidered that if one only came, the comfort intended 
 would prove a difcomfort. Since that I have feen the 
 fruit of my obfervation, for they have lived fo lovingly, 
 lying, eating, walking, praying, working, ftill together, 
 that I take a comfort therein ; and would not have to 
 part them yet, till I take fome opportunity to let them 
 know your love, for which both they fhall, and I do 
 thank you. It is true there is a third Sifter, whom to 
 receive were the greateft charity of all, for me is 
 youngeft, and leaft looked unto ; having none to do it 
 but her School-miftrefs, and you know what thofe 
 mercenary creatures are. Neither hath fhe any to 
 repair unto at good times, as Chriftrnas, &c. which 
 you know is the encouragement of learning all the 
 year after, except my Coufm Bett take pity of her, 
 which yet at that diftance is fome difficulty. If you 
 could think of taking her, as once you did, furely it 
 were a great good deed, and I would have her conveyed to 
 you. But I judge you not : Do that which God fhall 
 put into your heart, and the Lord blefs all your pur- 
 pofes to his Glory. Yet, truly, if you take her not, I 
 am thinking to do it, even beyond my ftrength ; efpe- 
 cially at this time, being more beggarly now than I 
 have been thefe many years, as having fpent two 
 hundred pounds in building ; which to me that have 
 nothing yet, is very much. But though I both con- 
 fider this, and your obfervation, alfo, of the unthank- 
 fulnefs of kindred bred up, (which generally is very 
 true,) yet I care not ; I forget all things, fo I may do 
 them good who want it. So I do my part to them, 
 let them think of me what they will or can. I have 
 another Judge, to whom I ftand or fall. If I fhould 
 regard fuch things, it were in another's power to de- 
 
LETTERS. 345 
 
 feat my charity, and evil mould be ftronger than good : 
 But difficulties are fo far from cooling Chriftians, that 
 they whet them. Truly it grieves me to think of the 
 child, how deftitute me is, and that in this neceffary 
 time of education. For the time of breeding is the 
 time of doing children good : and not as many who 
 think they have done fairly, if they leave them a good 
 portion after their deceafe. But take this rule, and it 
 is an outlandifh one, which I commend to you as being 
 now a Father, The beff-bred child hath the beft por- 
 tion. Well ; the good God blefs you more and more ; 
 and all yours ; and make your Family a Houfeful of 
 God's Servants. So prays your ever loving Brother, 
 
 G. Herbert. 
 My Wife's and Nieces' fervice. 
 
 To my very dear Brother, 
 Sir Henry Herbert, at Court. 
 
 LETTERS WRITTEN AT CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 For my dear fick Sifter.* 
 
 Most dear Sister, 
 
 THINK not my filence forgetfulnefs ; or that my 
 love is as dumb as my papers ; though bufinefs 
 may ftop my hand, yet my heart, a much better mem- 
 ber, is always with you : and which is more, with our 
 good and gracious God, incefTantly begging fome eafe 
 of your pains, with that earneftnefs, that becomes your 
 griefs, and my love. God who knows and fees this 
 
 # She was the wife of Sir Henry Jones, and, after a ficknels of 
 fourteen years, died in London. 
 

 346 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Writing, knows alfo that my foliciting him has been 
 much, and my tears many for you ; judge me then by 
 thofe waters, and not by my ink, and then you mall 
 juftly value your moft truly, moft heartily, afrectionate 
 Brother and Servant, 
 
 George Herbert 
 
 Trinity College, December 6, 1620. 
 
 To Sir J. D. * 
 Sir, 
 
 THOUGH I had the beft wit in the World, yet 
 it would eafily tire me to find out variety of 
 thanks for the diverfity of your favours, if I fought to 
 do fo ; but I profefs it not : And therefore let it be 
 fufficient for me, that the fame heart, which you have 
 won long fince, is ftill true to you, and hath nothing 
 elfe to anfwer your infinite kindneiTes, but a conftancy 
 of obedience ; only hereafter I will take heed how 
 I propofe my defires unto you, fince I find you fo 
 willing to yield to my requefts ; for, fince your favours 
 come a Horfeback, there is reafon that my defires 
 fhould go a-foot ; neither do I make any queftion, but 
 that you have performed your kindnefs to the full, and 
 that the Horfe is every way fit for me, and I will 
 ftrive to imitate the completenefs of your love, with 
 being in fome proportion, and after my manner, your 
 moft obedient Servant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 Sir John Danvers, the fecond hufband of Herbert's mother. 
 
LETTERS. 347 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I DARE no longer be filent, left while I think I am 
 modeft, I wrong both myfelf, and alfo the confi- 
 dence my Friends have in me ; wherefore I will open 
 my cafe unto you, which I think deferves the reading 
 at the leaft ; and it is this, I want books extremely ; 
 You know, Sir, how I am now fetting foot into Divi- 
 nity, to lay the platform of my future life, and fhall I 
 then be fain always to borrow Books, and build on 
 another's foundation ? What Tradefman is there who 
 will fct up without his Tools ? Pardon my boldnefs, 
 Sir, it is a moft ferious Cafe, nor can I write coldly in 
 that, wherein confifteth the making good of my former 
 education, of obeying that Spirit which hath guided 
 me hitherto, and of achieving my (I dare fay) holy 
 ends. This alfo is aggravated, in that I apprehend 
 what my Friends would have been forward to fay, if I 
 had taken ill courfes, Follow your book, and you mail 
 want nothing : You know, Sir, it is their ordinary 
 fpeech, and now let them make it good ; for fince 
 I hope I have not deceived their expectations, let 
 not them deceive mine ; But perhaps they will fay, 
 You are fickly, you muft not ftudy too hard ; it is 
 true (God knows) I am weak, yet not fo, but that 
 every day, I may ftep one ftep towards my journey's 
 end ; and I love my friends fo well, that if all things 
 proved not well, I had rather the fault mould lie on 
 me, than on them ; but they will object again, What 
 becomes of your Annuity? Sir, if there be any truth 
 in me, I find it little enough to keep me in health. 
 You know I was fick laft Vacation, neither am I 
 yet recovered, fo that I am fain ever and anon, to 
 buy fomewhat tending towards my health ; for in- 
 firmities are both painful and coftly. Now this Lent 
 I am forbid utterly to eat any fifh, fo that I am fain 
 
348 Herbert's prose works 
 
 to diet in my Chamber at mine own coft ; for in 
 our public halls, you know, is nothing but Fifh and 
 White-meats ; out of Lent, alfo twice a week, on 
 Fridays and Saturdays, I muft do fo, v/hich yet fome- 
 times I faft. Sometimes alfo I ride to Newmarket, 
 and there lie a day or two for frefh Air ; all which 
 tend to avoiding of coftlier matters, if I mould fall 
 abfolutely fick : I proteft and vow, I even ftudy 
 Thrift, and yet I am fcarce able with much ado to 
 make one half year's allowance make hands with the 
 other. And yet if a Book of four or five Shillings 
 come in my way, I buy it, though I faft for it ; yea, 
 fometimes of Ten Shillings : But, alas Sir, what is that 
 to thole infinite Volumes of Divinity, which yet every 
 day fwell, and grow bigger ? Noble Sir, pardon my 
 boldnefs, and confider, but thefe three things. Firft, 
 the Bulk of Divinity. Secondly, the time when I 
 defire this (which is now, when I muft lay the founda- 
 tion of my whole life). Thirdly, what I defire, and 
 to what end, not vain pleafures, nor to a vain end. If 
 then, Sir, there be any courfe, either by engaging my 
 future Annuity, or any other way, I defire you, Sir, to 
 be my Mediator to them in my behalf. 
 
 Now I write to you, Sir, becaufe to you I have ever 
 opened my heart : and have reafon, by the Patents of 
 your perpetual favour to do fo ftill, for I am fure you 
 love your faithfulleft Servant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 Trinity College, March 18, 161 7. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 THIS Week hath loaded me with your Favours ; 
 I wifh I could have come in perfon to thank 
 you, but it is not pofiible ; prefently after Michaelmas, 
 I am to make an Oration to the whole Univcrfity of 
 
LETTERS. 349 
 
 an hour long in Latin, and my Lincoln journey hath 
 fet me much behind hand : neither can I (o much as 
 go to Bugden, and deliver your Letter, yet I have fent 
 it thither by a faithful Meffenger this day : I befeech 
 you all, you and my dear Mother and Sifter to pardon 
 me, for my Cambridge necemties are ftronger to tie me 
 here, than yours to London : If I could poffibly have 
 come, none mould have done my meffage to Sir Fr. 
 Netherfole for me ; he and I are ancient acquaintance, 
 and I have a ftrong opinion of him, that if he can do 
 me a courtefy, he will of himfelf ; yet your appearing 
 in it, affects me ftrangely. I have fent you here en- 
 clofed a Letter from our Mafter on my behalf, which 
 if you can fend to Sir Francis before his departure, it 
 will do well, for it exprefleth the Univerfity's inclina- 
 tion to me ; yet if you cannot fend it with much con- 
 venience, it is no matter, for the Gentleman needs no 
 incitation to love me. 
 
 The Orator's place (that you may underftand what 
 it is) is the fmeft place in the Univerfity, though not 
 the gainfulleft : yet that will be about 30/. per annum, 
 but the commodioufnefs is beyond the Revenue ; for 
 the Orator writes all the Univerfity Letters, makes all 
 the Orations, be it to King, Prince, or whatever comes 
 to the Univerfity ; to requite thefe pains, he takes place 
 next the Doctors, is at all their Affemblies and Meet- 
 ings, and fits above the Proctors, is Regent, or Non- 
 Regent at his pleafure, and fuch like Gayneffes, which 
 will pleafe a young man well. 
 
 I long to hear from Sir Francis, I pray Sir, fend the 
 Letter you receive from him to me as foon as you can, 
 that I may work the Heads to my purpofe. I hope I 
 fhall get this place without all your London helps, of 
 which I am very proud, not but that I joy in your 
 favours, but that you may fee, that if all fail, yet I am 
 able to Hand on mine own legs. Noble Sir, I thank 
 

 350 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 you for your infinite favours, I fear only that I have 
 omitted fome fitting circumftance, yet you will pardon 
 my hafte, which is very great, though never fo, but 
 that I have both time and work to be your extreme 
 fervant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 I HAVE received the things you fent me, fafe ; and 
 now the only thing I long for is to hear of my dear 
 fick Sifter : firft, how her health fares, next, whether 
 my peace be yet made with her concerning my unkind 
 departure. Can I be fo happy, as to hear of both 
 thefe that they fucceed well ? Is it not too much for 
 me ? Good Sir, make it plain to her, that I loved her 
 even in my departure, in looking to her fon, and my 
 charge. I fuppofe fhe is not difpofed to fpend her eye- 
 fight on a piece of Paper, or elfe I had wrote to her ; 
 when I mall underftand that a Letter will be feafonable, 
 my Pen is ready. Concerning the Orator's place, all 
 goes well yet, the next Friday it is tried, and accord- 
 ingly you mail hear. I have forty bufinefles in my 
 hands : your Courtefy will pardon the hafte of your 
 humbleft Servant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 Trinity College, January 19, 161 9. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 I UNDERSTAND by Sir Francis Netherfole's 
 Letter, that he fears I have not fully refolved of 
 the matter, fince this place being civil may divert me 
 too much from Divinity, at which, not without caufe, 
 he thinks I aim : but, I have wrote him back, that this 
 
LETTERS. 351 
 
 dignity hath no fuch earthinefs in it, but it may very 
 well be joined with Heaven : or if it had to others, 
 yet to me it mould not, for aught I yet knew ; and 
 therefore I defire him to fend me a direct anfwer in his 
 next Letter. I pray, Sir, therefore, caufe this enclofed 
 to be carried to his brother's houfe of his own name 
 (as I think) at the fign of the Pedler and the Pack on 
 London-bridge, for there he afligns me. I cannot yet 
 find leifure to write to my Lord, or Sir Benjamin 
 Ruddyard ; but I hope I fhall fhortly, though for the 
 reckoning of your favours, I fhall never find time and 
 paper enough, yet am I your readieft Servant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 Trinity College, October 6, 1619. 
 
 I remember my moft humble duty to my Mother, 
 who cannot think me lazy, fince I rode 200 miles to 
 fee a Sifter, in a way I knew not, and in the midft of 
 much bufinefs, and all in a Fortnight, not long fince. 
 
 To the truly noble Sir J. D. 
 Sir, 
 
 I UNDERSTAND by a Letter from my brother 
 Henry, that he hath bought a parcel of Books for 
 me, and that they are coming over. Now though 
 they have hitherto travelled upon your charge, yet if 
 my Sifter were acquainted that they are ready, I dare 
 fay fhe would make good her promife of taking five or 
 fix pounds upon her, which fhe hath hitherto deferred 
 to do, not of herfelf, but upon the want of thofe Books 
 which were not to be got in England -, for that 
 which furmounts, though your noble difpofition is infi- 
 nitely free, yet I had rather fly to my old ward, that if 
 any courfe could be taken of doubling my Annuity now, 
 
352 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 upon condition that I fhould furceafe from all title to 
 it, after I entered into a Benefice, I fhould be moft 
 glad to entertain it, and both pay for the furplufage of 
 thefe Books, and for ever after ceafe my clamorous and 
 greedy bookiih requefts. It is high time now that I 
 mould be no more a burden to you, fince I can never 
 anfwer what I have already received ; for your favours 
 are fo ancient, that they prevent my memory, and yet 
 ftill grow upon your HumbleP: Servant, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 I remember my moft humble duty to my Mother, I 
 have wrote to my dear fick Sifter this week already, 
 and therefore now I hope may be excufed. 
 
 I pray, Sir, pardon my boldnefs of enclofing my 
 brother's Letter in yours, for it was becaufe I know 
 your Lodging, but not his. 
 
 To the Right Hon. the Lady Anne, Countefs 
 
 of Pembroke and Montgomery, 
 
 at Court. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 WHAT a trouble hath your goodnefs brought on 
 you, by admitting our poor fervices ! now 
 they creep in a Veffel of Metheglin, and ftill they will 
 be prefenting or wifhing to fee, if at length they may 
 find out fomething not unworthy of thofe hands at 
 which they aim. In the mean time a Prieft's bleffing, 
 though it be none of the Court ftyle, yet, doubtlefs, 
 Madam, can do you no hurt: Wherefore the Lord 
 make good the blefling of your mother upon you, and 
 caufe all her wifhes, diligence, prayers and tears, to 
 bud, blow, and bear fruit in your Soul, to his glory, 
 
LETTERS. 353 
 
 your own good, and the great joy of, Madam, your 
 mofl faithful Servant in Chrift Jefu, 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 Dec. 10, 163 1. Bemerton. 
 
 Madam, Your poor Colony of Servants prefent their 
 humble duties. 
 
 FROM THE PUBLIC ORATOR'S BOOK, 
 CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Ad R. Naunton, Secret. 
 Gratiae de Fluvio. 
 
 Vir Honoratissime, 
 
 QUANTA Hilaritate afpicit Alma Mater filios fuos 
 jam emancipatos, confervantes fibi Illos Fontes, 
 a quibus ipfi olim hauferunt ? Quis enim ficca ubera 
 et mammas arentes tarn nobilis parentis, aequo animo 
 ferre poffet ? neque fane dubitamus ulli, fi prae defectu 
 aquae commeatufque inopia defererentur collegia, pul- 
 cherrimaeque Mufarum domus tanquam viduae eftoetae, 
 aut ligna exucca et marcida, alumnis fuis orbarentur, 
 quin communes Reipublicae Lachrymae alterum nobis 
 Fluvium effunderent. Quare plurimum debemus con- 
 ftantiae favoris tui qui reftinxifti fitim exarefcentium 
 Mufarum et Xerxes iftos, alterofque maris quafi flagel- 
 latores expugnatos, fufofque nobis dedifti. Quid enim 
 invident aquas, quas non nobis habemus fed irrigati ipfi 
 univerfum regnum afpergimus. Sed aliorum injuriae 
 tuarum Virtutum pabula funt, qui lemas iftas et feftucas, 
 Reipublicae oculo haeren^s tarn diligenter amoves ; 
 certe adeo feftinafti ad gr atitudines tuas cum emolu- 
 
 A A 
 
354 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 mento noftro conjun&as, ut jam compenfemur abunde, 
 neque amplius quaerendum fit Tibi, Almae Nutrici 
 quid reponas. 
 
 Ad Ful. Grevil. 
 
 Giatiae de Fluvio. 
 VlR HoNORATISSIME, 
 
 SCITE et appofite fecifti Fluvium noftrum confer- 
 vans altero eloquential Fluvio, paludumque iftos 
 ficcatores, (folem officio fuo privantes) vi verborum 
 Tuorum obruens. Neque fane quifquam incedit Te 
 inftructior ad omnem caufam, paratiorve five a docirina, 
 five ab ufu ; utrinque mirus es et exercitatiflimus : 
 quare nos tertium praedictis adjungimus Gratiarum Flu- 
 vium, de humanitate tua fingulari, ftudioque in nos jam 
 olim perfpectiflimo, quippe qui eximie femper fovifti 
 literatos, eofque cum tineis et blattis rixantes, exuens 
 pulvere in theatrum et lucem produxifti. Tantum ro- 
 gamus, ut pergas, et inter novos honorum cumulos, 
 quod expecT:amus indies futurum, Almas Matris amorem 
 tecum fimul evehas. Interim, fi qui alii exurgant pro- 
 miffores magnifici et hiantes, qui fub fpecie publici 
 commodi, Academiae incommodum videnter allaturi ; 
 os importunorum hominum Authoritate tua plurima et 
 Eloquentia non minori nobis obftrue. 
 
 Ad R. Naunton. 
 Gratiac de Fluvio et de tegendis Te£Ks Stramineis. 
 VlR HONORATISSIME, 
 
 XIMIA tua in nos merita frequentiorem calamum 
 poftulant, fi tantum honori Tuo fupereffet otii ad 
 
 E 
 
LETTERS. 355 
 
 legendum, quantum a nobis ad fcribendum, cum huma- 
 nitatis Tuae, turn gratitudinis noftrae ratio poftulat. Sed 
 Veremur, ne literae noftrae animo Tuo tot negotiis 
 meritimme diftincto, tempore non fuo obrepant : tibi- 
 que non tarn avide veterum beneficiorum memoriam 
 recolenti, quam cogitanti nova improbe moleftiam 
 creent. Ouare conjunximus nunc officia noftra, tuof- 
 que favores temporibus et diligentia divifos in gratiis 
 noftris copulavimus : nam utramque illam curam in- 
 fignem, tarn de confervando Fluvio noftro, quam de 
 muniendis contra graffantes flammas aedificiis Honori 
 Tuo acceptam ferimus : plurimumque fufpicimus cu 
 mulum Amoris Tui, qui utrumque curafti, ut neque 
 fitirent Mufae, neque flagrarent : quod fi tarn integrum 
 tibi effet gratificari nobis in terra et aere, quam in aqua 
 et igne fecifti, non dubitamus quin benignitas tua omnia 
 elementa percurreret. Tu vero macTie honoribus, 
 gloria, id enim noftra intereft, ut hoc precemur, aut 
 enim mifere fallimur aut tantum de nullo unquam Filio 
 Alma Mater, quantum de Te fibi polliceatur. 
 
 Gratulatio de Marchionatu ad Bucking. C. 
 
 A. D. 1619. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 
 ECQUID inter tot gloriae titulos caput undique 
 munientes meminifti magiftrum Te efTe Artium ? 
 an inter lauros principis hederae noftrae ambitiofae locus 
 eft, hunc quidem gradum pignus habes amoris noftri, 
 haec eft anfa qua prehendimus Te, et tanquam aquilam 
 inter novas honorum nubes e confpeftu noftro fugien- 
 tem revocamus. Tu vicimm abunde compenfas nos, 
 gratiflimoque A Imam Matrem profequeris animo : proin 
 
 A A 2 
 
356 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 ut Fluvii quas aquas a Fonte accipiunt non retinent 
 ipfi, fed in mare dimittunt ; Sic Tu etiam dignitates ab 
 optimo Rege defumptas in univerfam Rempublicam 
 diffundis : per Te illucet nobis Jacobus nofter. Tu 
 aperis ilium populo et cum ipfe fis in fumma arbore, 
 altera manu prehendis Regem, alteram nobis ad radices 
 haerentibus porrigis : Quare, meritiffime Marchio, 
 Tuam gloriam cenfemus noftram et in honoribus Tuis 
 noftro bono gratulamur \ quanquam quern alium fructum 
 potuimus expectare ab Eo in quern favor Regius, noftra 
 vota virtutes tantae confluxerunt : inter quae etiam cer- 
 tamen oritur et pia contentio, utrum gratia Principis 
 virtutes tuas, aut noftra vota gratiam Principis, aut 
 Tuae virtutes et vota noftra et Principis gratiam fupe- 
 rarent. Nimirum ut lineae quamvis diverfa via, omnes 
 tamen ad centrum properant. Sic difparatae foelicitates 
 hinc a populo illinc a Principe in Te conveniunt, et 
 confabulantur. Quare quomodo alii molem hanc laetitiae 
 fuae exprimant, ipfi viderint : nos certe precamur, ut 
 neque virtutibus tuis defint honores neque utrifque vita, 
 ufquedum, poftquam omnes honorum gradus hie per- 
 curreris, aeternum illud prasmium confequare, cui neque 
 addi quicquam poteft, neque detrahi. 
 
 Ad F. Bacon, Cancell. 
 
 Gratias de Inftaurationis Libro Academia? donato. 
 4 Nov. 1620. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 
 PROLEM tuam fuavifTimam, nuper in lucem pub- 
 licam, noftramque prasfertim, editam non gremio 
 loium (quod innuis) fed et ambabus ulnis, ofculifque ei 
 aetati debitis excipientes, protinus tanquam Nobilem 
 
LETTERS. 357 
 
 Filium (more noftro) magiftrum artium renunciaVimus. 
 
 Optime enim hoc convenit Partui tuo, qui novas Sci- 
 entiarum regiones, terrafque veteribus incognitas primus 
 demonftrat ; ex quo illuftrius affecutus es nomen, quam 
 repertores novi orbis compararunt. Illi terram inve- 
 nerunt, cralTiflimum elementum ; Tu fubtilitates artium 
 infinitas. Illi barbara omnia, Tu non nifi cultiflima, 
 elegantiafque ipfas exhibes. Illi magnetica acu freti 
 funt. Tu penetrantiori intelle£lus acumine, cujus nifi 
 incredibilis fuiffet vis, nunquam in tantis negotiis, qui- 
 bus meritiflime diftrictus es, ea quae fugerunt tot phi- 
 lofophos umbra et otio diifluentes, eruiffes. Quare 
 multiplex eft laetitia noftra ; primo gratulamur optimo 
 Regi noftro, qui profpicit, ut cum ipfe eruditionis Prin- 
 ceps fit, illi etiam honores qui finitimi funt, et quafi 
 accolae Majeftatis, literaturae fuae, et vicinitati refpon- 
 deant : dein Hon. Tuo gratulamur, qui filio auffcus es 
 tali ingenio praedito : turn Academiae noftrae, quae per 
 Tuum Partum, ex Matre nunc Avia fa£ta eft : denique 
 huic aetati quae talem virum protulit, cum quinque 
 millibus annorum de palma certantem. Id unum dole- 
 mus, Bibliothecam noftram rudiorem efl'e impexiorem- 
 que, quam ut tantum Hofpitem excipiat : utcunque 
 cum olim ab * Archiepifcopo Eboracenfi Summo An- 
 gliae Cancellario extructa fuerit : illam nunc denuo ex 
 aedibus Eboracenfibus ab altero Cancellario Inftaurari, 
 inter Arcana providentiae plane reponimus. Faxit Deus 
 ut quos profectus feceris in Sphaera Naturae, facias 
 etiam in Gratiae ; utque mature abfolvas quae complexus 
 es animo, ad ejus gloriam, Reipublicae emolumentum, 
 aeternitatem nominis Tui fubfidiumque. 
 
 Magnificentiae Tuae devotiffimorurr? 
 Procancellarii 
 Reliq. 
 
 * Rotheram. 
 

 358 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Ad T. Coventry, Attorn. 
 Cognitor. Gratulatio, 29 Jan. 1620. 
 
 Clarissime Vir, 
 
 PERMITTE ut nos etiam in praedam partemque 
 tecum veniamus : neque enim fie effugies cum 
 honoribus, quin laetitia noftra te affequeter \ certe non 
 diu eft ex quo gratulati fumus tibi ; eccum nunc altera 
 occafio, adeo feftinat virtus tua : quod fi tertia detur et 
 quarta, paratos nos habebis ad gratulationem, ut fie una 
 opera utriufque Reipublicae calculum et civilis et lite- 
 rariae adipifcaris. Tu vero promptitudinem amoris 
 noftri non paflim expofitam boni confulas, curefque ut 
 tuus in nos amor antehac fatis perfpectus, nunc cum 
 honore geminetur. Quod fi forenfe quippiam nos 
 fpeftans, dum incumbis muneri, occurrat, nos chartis 
 et aeternitate occupatos, temporariis hifce negotiolis 
 libera. Haud fruftra impendes operam nobis, omnia 
 favorum tuorum momenta apicefque perpenfuris et 
 compenfaturis. 
 
 Ad R. Naunt. Burgeff. EleSt. 
 13 Jan. 1620. 
 
 Honoratissime Domine, 
 
 TAM eximie de nobis meritus es, ut res noftras 
 omnes cum honore Tuo conjunctas effe velimus. 
 Quare frequentiflimo Senatu, pleniffimis fuffragiis ele- 
 gimus Te tribunum Parliamentarium nos noftraque 
 omnia privilegia, fundos, edificia, univerfam Mufarum 
 fupelleftilem, etiam Fluvium non minus de praeterito 
 gratum, quam de futuro fupplicem, integerrimae tuae 
 fidei commendantes. Magna eft haec neque quotidianae 
 
LETTERS. 359 
 
 virtutis provincia gerere perfonam Academiae, omnium- 
 que Artium molem et pondus fuftinere, fed perfpedtifli- 
 mus tuus in nos amor praeftantiflimaeque animi dotes 
 effecerunt, ut Alma Mater libentiflime caput reclinet in 
 tuo finu, oculufque Reipub. poftquam circumfpiciens 
 reperiffet Te, quafi in tuis palpebris acquiefcat. Quare 
 nos omnes ad prudentiae eloquentiaeque tuae prefidium 
 feftinantes excipe : Antiquitas praeripuit Tibi gloriam 
 extruendae Academiae, reliquit confervandae. Deus 
 faveat Tibi et concedat ut terreftres tui honores cum 
 cceleftibus certent et fuperentur. 
 
 Gratulatio ad Mountag. Thefaurar. 
 18 Dec. 1620. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 ENDULAM hanc dignitatem diu expectantem 
 
 p 
 
 magnas aliquas virtutes tandem mentis tuis votif- 
 que noftris confpirantibus obtinuifti. Quis enim 
 rec~Hus Thefauris Regiis praefici poflit, quam qui juf- 
 titiam prius tanto cum honore atque acclamatione 
 adminiftrans, diftribuendi modum omnem rationem- 
 que callet ? Et licet, quo proprior fis Regi, eo vide- 
 aris nobis remotior, confidimus tamen ut arbores 
 quanto altius crefcant, tanto etiam altius agant ra- 
 dices : fie merita tua ita afcenfura, ut eorum vis et 
 virtus ad nos defcendat. Quare fumme gratulamur 
 tibi de novo hoc cumulo honorum, qui tamen votis 
 noftris nondum refpondent. Ea eft enim pertinacia 
 defideriorum noftrorum, atque immortalitas, ut Temper 
 poft novas dignitates, alias tibi quaerant et moliantur. 
 Nimirum id afiecuta funt merita Tua maxima, ut 
 Almam Matremfpe nova gravidam Temper atque praeg- 
 
360 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 nante effecerint. Tantum quocunque Domine afcen- 
 das 5 fume tecum amorem ilium quo foles beare 
 
 Amplitudini tuae devotiflimos 
 
 Procancellarium. 
 
 Rel. 
 
 Gratulatio ad Heath, Solicitor. 
 Procurator. 29 Jan. 1620. 
 VlR DlGNISsIME, 
 
 SIC a natura comparatum eft, ignis et virtus femper 
 afcendunt, utriufqe enim fplendor et claritas hu- 
 milia loca deprecantur. Quare optime fecit Rex Sere- 
 niffimus, qui virtutes tuas magnis negotiis et pares 
 provexit, noluitque ut minori Sphaera quam pro latudine 
 meritorum tuorum circumfcribereris. Nos vero de hoc 
 tuo progreffu non minus Reipublicae gratulamur quam 
 tibi, rogamufque ut quando beneficia tua pervagantur 
 jingliam, nos etiam invifant : ita excipiemus ilia, ut 
 benignius hofpitium, et erga te propenfius, haud ufquam 
 forfitan reperias. 
 
 [Jacobo Regi] Gratiae de Scriptis fuis* 
 Academiae donatis. 18 Maii, 1620. 
 
 Serenissime Domine Noster, 
 Jacobe Invictissime 
 
 E 
 
 CQUID inter tantas mundi trepidationes nobis 
 et Mufis vacas ? O prudentiam incomparabilem, 
 
 * " The firft notable occafion of Ihowing his fitnefs for this em- 
 ployment of Orator, was manifefted in a letter to King James, 
 upon the occafion of his fending that univerfity his book, called 
 
LETTERS. ^6l 
 
 quae eodum vultu et moderatur mundum et nos refpi- 
 cit. Circumfpice, fi placet, tcrrarum reges, mutus eft 
 mundus univerfus, veflra folum dextra (quamvis a 
 fcriptione terreftribufque iftis fublimitate folii afferta) 
 vita et actione orbem vegetat. Anguftior erat Scotia, 
 quam ut pennas nido plene explicare pofles : quid Tu 
 inde ? Britannicas infulas omnes occupafti : hoc etiam 
 imperium tenuius eft quam pro amplitudine virtutum 
 veftrarum; nunc itaque Liber hie vefter diktat po- 
 moeria, fummovet Oceanum ambientem, adeo ut qui 
 non fubjiciunturditioni, eruditioni veftrae obtemperent : 
 per hunc imperas orbi univerfo, viitoriaeque gloriam, 
 abfque crudelitate effuii fanguinis delibas. Haec veftra 
 fpolia, acfofque ex orbe triumphos communicas cum 
 Alma Matre, utrumque fplendorem cum beneficio nof- 
 tro conjungis : fane, geftabaris anteain cordibus noftris : 
 fed Tu vis etiam manibus teri, femotaque Majeftate, 
 charta confpiciendum Te praebes, quo familiarius inter 
 nos verferis. O, mirificam Clementiam ! ^Edificarunt 
 olim nobis Sereniflimi Reges collegia, eaque fundarunt 
 ampliflimis praediis, immunitatibus ; etiam libros dede- 
 runt, fed non fuos ; aut fi fuos, quia dederunt, non a 
 fe compofitos, fcriptos, editofque : quum tamen Tu 
 invaferis eorum gloriam confervando nobis quae ill i 
 dederunt, etiam augendo : interim veftra hac fcribendi 
 laude intacta manente atque illibata. Cujus favoris 
 magnitudo ita involvit nos, ut etiam rependendi vias 
 omnes prcecludat. Quae enim alia fpes reliqua erat, 
 
 Bafilicon Doron. This letter was writ in fuch excellent Latin, 
 was i'o full of conceits, and all the expreffions fo fuited to the 
 genius of the king, that he inquired the orator's name, and then 
 afked William, Earl of Pembroke, if he knew him ? whofe 
 aniwer was, ( That he knew him very well, and that he was his 
 kinrman.'' The king fmiled, and alked the earl leave • That he 
 might love him too, for he took him to be the jewel of that 
 univerfity/ " — Isaak Walton, 
 
3^2 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 quam ut pro infinitis veftris in nos benefices Majefta- 
 tem veftram aeternitati in fcriptis noftris certiffime 
 traderemus ? Nunc vero Ipfe, fcribendo irrupifti in 
 compenfationes noftras, et abftulifti : adeon' es proedo 
 omnis glorias, ut ne gratitudinis laudem nobis relique- 
 ris ? Quid agimus ? hoc faltem folutio eft ; Nos nunc 
 confperfi atramento regio, nihil non fublime et excelfum 
 cogitabimus, perrumpemus controverfias omnes, fuper- 
 abimus quofcunque. Jam dari nobis vellemus Je- 
 fuitam aliquem, ut ex affric~T.u Libri veftri hominem 
 illico contundamus. Quare amplecliimur, fovemus, 
 exofculamur, hunc foetum veftrum, hunc alterum Ca- 
 rolum, hunc fafciculum Prudentiae, pofitum extra 
 mortalitatis aleam, et quo magis Tuum agnofcas, in 
 ipfo partu, Librorum regem creatum. Diruuntur aedi- 
 ficia, corrumpuntur ftatuae, haec imago atque character, 
 tempore melior, injurias feculi fcriptaque hac iliac per- 
 euntia fecurus praeterit. Si enim in regno veftro 
 Hibernico lignum nafcitur permanens centra omnia 
 venena validum : quanto magis virtutes iftae in Do- 
 minium agri tranfferendae funt, ut fie fcripta veftra 
 omni dente turn edacis temporis, turn venenatorum 
 haereticorum, infita vi fua liberentur. Quod fupereft, 
 precamur, S. S. Trinitatem, ut veftras coronae civili et 
 literarias tertiam cceleftem fero adjungat. 
 
 Humillimi fervi, fubditique veftri Procancellarius 
 Reliquufque Senatus Cantabrigienfis. 
 
 Datae freq. Senatu xin° Cal. Jun. A.D. 
 CI0.I3.CXX. 
 
 Peregrinis Academicis noftram invifentibus. 
 
 Quid Vaticanam Bodleiumque objicis, Hofpes ? 
 
 Unicus eft nobis Bibliotheca Liber. 
 
LETTERS. 353 
 
 Gratiae de Fluvio contra Redemptores. 
 1620, Jun. 14.. 
 Serenissime Domine NoSTER, 
 Jacobe Potentissme ! 
 
 INFINITA veftra in nos Beneficia non folum verba 
 omnia, fed etiam cogitationes noftras exhauriunt. 
 Quis enim impetus animi celeritatem tantae munificen- 
 tiae aflequi poteft ? quippe qui univerfum tempus nof- 
 trum (forfitan quo alacrius illud impenderemus 
 Doctrinae) beneficiis etiam obligafti. Nuper enim 
 dedifti nobis Librum, pleniflimum Mufarum, quae cum 
 olim gauderent Fluviis nunc etiam aquas, in quibus 
 habitant, impertis ! Quanta rotunditas Clementiae 
 veftrae, quae ab omni parte nobis fuccurrit ! Quod fi 
 Artaxerxes olim paululum aquae a Linaeta fubjedto fuo 
 laetirlime fumeret, quanto magis par eft nos, humillimos 
 fubjectos, integro Fluvio a Rege noftro donatos, tri- 
 umphare ? Tantum Majeftatem veftram fubjecliflime 
 oramus, ut fi ofrlcia noftra minus refpondeant magni- 
 tudini beneficiorum, imbecillitati id noftrae, quae fafti- 
 gium regiarum notionum aequare nunquam poteft, non 
 voluntati tribuendum exiftimes. 
 
 Ad F. Bacon, Cancell.* 
 Gratiae de Fluvio. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 
 SICCAM animam fapientiflimam effe dixit obfcurus 
 ille philofophus > fane exorti funt nuperi quidam 
 
 * Herbert became known to Lord Bacon during the king's 
 vifit to the Univerfity, when the great fecretary of Nature and all 
 Learning, ,, as Walton calls him, "did begin a defired friendrtrip 
 with our Orator;" who tranflated into Latin a part of the Ad- 
 vancement of Learning, and was honoured by the author with 
 the dedication of ibme very unmulical Pl'alms. 
 
364 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 homines, qui libenter fapentiores nos redderent : fed fi 
 ablatus fuiflet Fluvius nofter, per quem vicini agri 
 opulentia fruimur, veremur ne non tam fapientes nos, 
 quam obfcuros philofophos reddidiffent. Quis enim 
 tunc inviferet Almam Matrem deftitutam omni corn- 
 meatu ? opportune his tenebris Favor tuus occurrit, 
 illuftrans nos omnes 9 lumenque accendens de fuo iumine. 
 Ut Nihilo minus Tibi luceat, cum nobis accenderit. 
 Neque enim paflus es ilium Fluvium, qui tantae poeticae, 
 tantae eruditionis nobis confcius eft, paluftri opere ut 
 uliginofo intercipi : cum non eft tanti totus ille mariti- 
 mus tractus (Oceani praeda et deliciae) ut irrigui Mufa- 
 rum horti, floribus fuis fternentes Rempublicam, prae 
 ariditate flaccefcerent. 9bd ficcitas anni hujus derifit 
 incceptum et plus effecit quam mille Redemptores 
 exequi poffent. Quanquam non mirari non poffumus, 
 unde fit ut nullus fere elabatur dies, qui non hoftes 
 aliquos nobis aperiat ; quidam ftomachantur praedia, 
 alii immunitates carpunt, nonnulli Fluvium invident, 
 multi Academias integras fubverfas volunt, neque illi e 
 faece vulgi tantum qui eruditionem fimplicitati Chrifti- 
 anae putant adverfam, fed homines nobiliores ignorantiae, 
 qui literas imminuere fpiritus, generofofque animos 
 frangere et retundere clamitant. Tu vero Patrone 
 nofter, qui elegantias doclirinae nitoremque fpirans, pur- 
 puram et eruditionem mifcuifti : dilue, fuga hos omnes 
 praefertim fericatam hanc ftultitiam contere, Academiae- 
 que jura, dignitatem, Fluvium placidiffimo favorum 
 tuorum afflatu nobis tuere : quod quidem non minus 
 expe&amus a Te, quem fingularis docTirina exemit a 
 populo, et quafi mixtam perfonam reddidit quam fi 
 Epifcopi more priftino Cancellis praeficerentur. 
 
LETTERS. 365 
 
 Ad Archiep. Cantuar. 
 De Bibliopolis Lond. 29 Jan. 1620. 
 
 Sanctissime Pater, 
 
 CUM caeterae ecclefiae tarn perfpicaci diligentia in- 
 cubes, concede ut nos etiam benignitate alarum 
 tuarum et virtute fruamur ; praefertim hoc tempore in 
 quo paucorum avaritia liberalibus artibus dominatura 
 eft, nifi humanitas tua,* fuperiori aeftate fponte fuavi- 
 terque patefacta, nunc etiam laborantibus mufis fuc- 
 currat. Ferunt enim Londinenfes Bibliopolas fuum 
 potius emolumentum quam publicum fpectantes, (quae 
 res et naturae legibus et hominum fumme contrarie eft) 
 monopoliis quibufdam inhiare, ex quo timemus librorum 
 precia auctum iri, et privilegia noftra imminutum. 
 Nos igitur hoc metu affecli, uti fanguis folet in re dubia 
 ad cor feftinare, ita ad Te confugimus primariam 
 partem ecclefiaftici corporis, orantes ut quicquid con- 
 filii avaritia ceperit adverfus aut immunitates noftras aut 
 commune literarum et literatorum commodum, id omne 
 dexterrima tua in obeundis rebus prudentia diflipetur. 
 Deus Opti. Max. tua beneficia, quae nos folvendo non 
 fumus, in fuas tabulas accepti tranfferat. 
 
 Ad Fr. Bacon, Cancell. 
 De Bibliop. Lond. 29 Jan. 1620. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 
 TU quidem Temper Patronus nofter es, etiam tacen- 
 tibus nobis, quanto magis cum rogamus, idque 
 pro Libris de quibus nufquam rectius quam apud Te 
 agitur. Accepimus enim Londinenfes Librarios omnia 
 
 * Ferina mifla. 
 
366 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 tranfmarina fcripta ad monopolium revocare moliri, 
 neque ratione habita chartae noftrae a Sereniflimo Prin- 
 cipe Henrico 8° indultae, neque Studioforum Sacculi, 
 qui etiam nunc maeret et ingemifcit, Ecquid permittis, 
 Domine ? Curafti tu quidem Inftauratione tua, quo 
 minus exteris Libris indigeremus, fed tamen comparatio 
 et in honorem tuum cedet, noftrumque emolumentum. 
 Quare unice obfecramus, ut qui tot fubfidia attuleris 
 ad progreffum doclirinae, hac etiam in parte nobis opi- 
 tuleris. Afpicis multitudinem Librorum indies glifcen- 
 tem, praefertim in Theologia, cujus Libri ft alii aliis 
 (tanquam montes olim) imponerentur, veri fimile eft, 
 eos illuc quo cognitio ipfa pertingit afcenfuros. Quod 
 fi et numerus Scriptorum intumefcat, et pretium, quae 
 abyffus crumenae tantos fumptus aequabit ! Jam vero 
 miferum eft, pecuniam retardare illam, cui natura 
 fpiritum dederit, feracem gloriae, et coelefte ingenium 
 quafi ad metalla damnari. Qui augent precia Libro- 
 rum, profunt vendentibus libros non ementibus, hoc 
 eft ceffatoribus non ftudiofis. Haec tu omnium optime 
 vides, quare caufam noftram nofque ipfos Tibi, Teque 
 Deo Opti. Maxi. intimis precibus commendamus. 
 
 Gratulatio ad F. Leigh. 
 Capitalem Juftitiarium Angl. (Camden), 6 Feb. 1620. 
 
 Honoratissime Domine, 
 
 FAMA promotionis tuae gratiflime appulit ad nos 
 omnes haud ita certe ftudiis chartifque obvolutos, 
 quin aures noftra tibi pateant. Imo prorfus cenfemus 
 permultum intereffe aiacritatis publicae, ut bonorum 
 praemia citiffime promulgentur, quo fuavius virtutibus, 
 tuo exemplo compenfatis, unum omnes incumbamus. 
 Quare tarn vere quam libenter gratulamur tibi, nee 
 
LETTERS. 367 
 
 minus etiam Reipublicae, quam hunc pleno gradu in- 
 grediens beneficiis tuis percurres. Nos etiam haud 
 minimam favoris tui partem fperamus, orantes ut im- 
 munitates noftrae a ferenifTimis Regibus conceflae, ab 
 Auguftiflimo Jacobo au£t.ae tua opera conferventur ; 
 eadem manus et tuum tibi largitus eft honorem, et 
 privilegia noftra confirmavit ; in qua dextra et fide con- 
 junct^ in caeteris haud divellamur. Quod fi oppidani 
 noftri (more fuo) Mufarum jura et diplomata arrodant ; 
 tuus amor et authoritas iftos forices nobis abigat. 
 Demofthenes Athenienfis doluit fe victum opificum 
 antelucana induftria, noftrae etiam Athenae artefque 
 obfcuris opificum artibus fuperari dolebunt. Sed tua 
 humanitas haec nobis expediet. Deus fortunet tibi 
 hunc honorem, et faxit, ut tibi gloriae fit, omnibus 
 faluti. 
 
 Gratulatio ad Cranfield, Thefaurar. 
 8 oa. 1621. 
 
 Illustrissime Domine, 
 
 CONCEDE ut Honoribus nuperis, tanquam par- 
 tubus Virtutum Tuarum, Alma Mater accurrens 
 gratuletur : folent enim Studioforum fuffragia enixus 
 gloriae follicitudine in futurum plenos haud parum 
 levare ; praefertim quum ipfi non folum rectum de bene- 
 merentibus judicium haufifle ab antiquis, fed et ad 
 pofteros tranfmiflnri videantur. Quare poft principis 
 manum honoribus refertam, non eft quod noftram 
 quoque, cum amoris fymbolo feftinantem, recufes. Sic 
 apud veterum aras, poft ingentes Hecatombas, exiguam 
 thuris micam adoleri legimus. Tu Domine vicifti ? 
 tuere nos ita ut fortunae noftrae, intra ambitum amplex- 
 ufque felicitatis Tuae receptae, communi calore fove- 
 
368 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 antur. Et cum ob perfpicacitatem fingularem jam olim 
 Regi notam atque fignatam digniffime praeficiaris Fifco 
 ctiam Academiam in Thefauris habe : juftiflime potes 
 fub hoc Principe, in quo doclxinae frucT:us atque ufus 
 mirifice relucet : certe, fi quantum eruditio Regis pro- 
 fuerit Reipublicae, tantum favoris nobis impertias, 
 abunde fuccurres 
 
 Magnificentiae tuae addic~tiflimis, 
 Procancellario. 
 Rel. 
 
 Ad Lane. Andrewes Epifc* 
 (From the Britifti Mufeum MS. Sloan, No. 118.) 
 
 Sanctissime Pater, 
 
 STATIM a folatio afpectus tui, ego auctior jam 
 gaudio atque diftentior, Cantabrigiam redii. Quid 
 enim manerem ? Habui viaticum favoris tui, quod 
 longiori multo itineri fufficeret. Nunc obrutus Acade- 
 micis negotiis, aegre hoc tempus illis fuccido : non quin 
 pectus meum plenum tui lit, atque effufiffimum in 
 omnia ofiicia, quae praeftet, mea parvitas ; fed ut faci- 
 lius ignofcas occupato calamo, qui etiam ferians nihil 
 tua perfectione dignum procudere poilit. Utcunque 
 tua lenitas non ita interpretabitur mea haec fcribendi 
 intervalla, ac fi juvenili potius impetu correptus, quam 
 adductus maturo confilio, primas dedifTem literas, 
 
 * Herbert's friendfhip with Andrewes began at Cambridge, 
 when the Bifhop attended the king in his progrefs. Walton 
 fpeaks of a letter written by Herbert in Greek, about predeftina- 
 tion and a holy life, which Andrewes " put into his bolbm, ,, and 
 often mowing it to fcholars, " did always return it to the place 
 where he firft lodged it, and continued it fo near his heart till the 
 laft day of his liFe." This letter has not been recovered. 
 
LETTERS. 369 
 
 ideoque praefervida ilia defideria filentio fuo fepulta 
 nunc languefcere, ut halitus tenuiores folent, qui primo 
 caloris fuafu excitati atque expergefacti, ubi furfum 
 proceflerint paulo, frigefaiti demum relabuntur. Hoc 
 quidem illis accidere amat, qui celeritatem affeiluum 
 raptim fequentes, ad omnem eorum auram vacillant. 
 Ego, non nifi meditato, obrepfi ad favorem tuum ; per- 
 fe£tionibus tuis, meis defideriis probe cognitis, excuflis 
 perpenfifque. Cum enim vim cogitationum in vitam 
 meam omnem convertiffem, et ex altera parte acuiffem 
 me afpedlu virtutum tuarum : hue, illuc commeando, 
 eo deveni animo, ut nunquam ceflandum mihi ducerem, 
 numquam fatifcendum, donee lacteam aliquam viam ad 
 candorem mentis tuae ducentem aut reperiflem aut 
 feciflem. Neque quod ignotior eram, retundebatur 
 unquam impetus : quippe, qui fie colligebam ; fi tarn 
 abjecftus fim, ut laboribus meis plurimis atque aflidua 
 obfervantia, ramenta quaepiam ex tanta Humanitatis 
 mafia, quae apud te vifitur, abfeindere non pofiim, 
 abfque molefta aliorum ac frigida commendatione, fi 
 hue reciderit omnis ftudiorum fpes fructufque: 
 
 Cur ego laborem notus efle tarn prave ? 
 Cum ftare gratis cum filentio poflim. 
 
 Quod tamen haec omnia fuccedant ex voto, quod reclufae 
 fint fores, receptufque fim in aliquem apud H. T. 
 locum, magis id adeo factum efle manfuetudine tua 
 incomparabili, quam meis mentis ullis, femper luben- 
 tiflimeque agnofcam : imo precabor enixe, me turn pri- 
 vari tarn communi hac luce, quam tua, cum id agnof- 
 cere unquam definam. Quanquam, cum gravibus 
 duobus muneribus fungar apud meos, Rhetoris in hunc 
 annum, et in plures Oratoris, permitte, pater, hoc im- 
 petrem, ut cedam aliquantifper expectationi hominum, 
 rariufque paulo fodiam in Vintonienfi agro, dum Rheto- 
 
 B B 
 
370 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 rici fatagam : quamvis enim fexcenta hujufmodi prae- 
 diola tua gratia permutare nolim ; majus tamen piacu- 
 lum reor, deeffe publico muneri quam pri vato, latiufque 
 manare injuftitiae peccatum, quam negligentiae. Illic 
 conftringor debito ; hie etiam teneor, fed laxioribus 
 vinculis, quaeque amor faepe remittit : illud necefTarium 
 magis fa£hi, hoc vero longe jucundius, nobiliufque : ut 
 quod Phiiofophus de tactu et villi, id appofite admodum 
 hue tranfferatur. Appetit tempus, cum excuffo altero 
 jugo, dimidiaque operis parte levatus, ad mea in H. T. 
 officia erecliior folutiorque redibo, ex ipfa intermiffione 
 animos ducens. Interim, fie exiftimes, nihil mortalium 
 flrmiori flagrare in te defiderio, quam meum pectus ; 
 neque ulla negotia, (quippe quae caput petant, non cor) 
 tui in me dominii jus imminuere pofTe, nedum refcin- 
 dere. Una cum promotionibus Academicis mater- 
 nifque, affumpfi mecum propenfionem in Patrem. 
 " Crefcent illae, crefcetis amores." Cui fententiae fi 
 fidem adhibeas, affenfumque tuum veritati omni fami- 
 liarem largiaris, [aw rrj tvXoyia gov irpoaeTrifjLeTpovjJLivy) 
 beabis. 
 
 Filium tuum obfequentiflimum 
 
 Georgium Herbert. 
 
 Ignofce (Heros illuftriffime) quod pronomina mea 
 adeo audacter incedant in hac epiftola : potui refercire 
 lineas Honoribus, Magnif. Celfitud. fed non patitur, ut 
 mihi videtur, Romana elegantia, periodique vetus rotun- 
 ditas. Quare malui fervire auribus tuis, creberrima 
 Antiquitatis lecliione terfis atque expolitis, quam luxuriae 
 feculi, ambitionifque ftrumas, non adeo fanatae ab optimo 
 rege noftro quin turgefcat indies, atque efferat fe, 
 indulgere. 
 
 To the right honourable and reverend Father 
 in God, my L. Bifhop of Winchefter, one of 
 the King's moil honorable privy Counfaile, 
 
Oratio qua Aufpicatiffimum Se- 
 reniflimi Principis Caroli 
 
 Reditum ex Hifpaniis celebravit Georgius Herbert 
 Academias Cantabrigienfis Orator.* 
 
 Veneranda Capita, Viri Gravissimi, 
 pubes lectissima. 
 
 POLYCRATES cum annulum fibi dileftum in 
 mare dimiiiffet, eundemque retuliffet captus pifcis, 
 rbeliciflimus mortalium habitus eft. Ouanto foeliciores 
 nos omnes, Corona Mufica, qui optimum Principem 
 fpe nuptiarum mari nuper tradentes, et ipfum accepi- 
 mus falvum et annulum, annulum Conjugalem, nunc 
 denuo noftrum, atque ubivis terrarum pro judicio pru- 
 dentiilimi Regis, et in rebus humanis divinifque exer- 
 citatiflimi, de integro difponendum. Rediit, rediit 
 Carolus, et cum eo vita noftra atque calor, longo 
 animi deliquio fugitivus ac defertor. Quid jactas 
 mihi aromata Orientis ? Quid Theriacas peregrinas ? 
 aflerunt Medici unamquamque regionem fuam fibi 
 fufficere, neque externis indigere auxiliis atque antidotis : 
 certe noftrate Principe nufquam praefentius Balfamum, 
 nufquam benignius, folvens obftupefa&os artus, atque 
 exhilerans, tumentibus jam venis, arteriis micantibus 
 fpiritibufque tabellariis laetum hunc nuncium ubique 
 deferentibus,utnullus fitangulus corporis, nulla venula, 
 
 * Ex officina Cantrelli Legge, Almae Matris Cantabrigiae ty- 
 pographi, 1622, im. 4.to. 
 
 B B 2 
 
372 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 ubi non adfit Carolus. Quam facile fentiuntur boni 
 Principes ! Ut natura omnis fuos habet anteambulones, 
 unde pluvia futura, an fudum, facile conjicitur ex ccelo, 
 ex garritu avium, ex lapidum exhalatione : Sic bonorum 
 Principum facilis Aftrologia : quorum adventum ipfi 
 lapides, ipfa duriffima ingenia, meum praefertim, celare 
 non poflunt : quanto minus tacebunt lufciniae noftrae 
 difertae, minimeque omnium coeleftiores animi, quorum 
 pietatis intereft non Glere. 
 
 Quae enim ufphm gens, quod unquam feculum 
 meliorem habuit Principem ? percurrite Annales reg- 
 norum, excutite fcrinia politiarum omnium ; vos, vos, 
 inquam, excutite, quorum aetas teritur in libris : non 
 rufticis loquor aut barbaris, quos magnificentia promiffi 
 circumfcribere in promptu erat, rudefque animos vi 
 verborum percellere : veftra eft optio, veftra difqui- 
 fitio, qui lineae eftis et helluones chartacei \ date mihi 
 Carolum alterum, quamlibet Magnum, modo detis 
 eum in flore, in vagina, in herbefcenti viriditate ; non- 
 dum ad fpicam, barbamque adultum. Non rhetoricor, 
 Academici, non tinnio : vKojiaviav illam et inanem 
 verborum ftrepitum jamdudum depofui : bullae et ere- 
 pitacula puerorum funt, aut eorum certe, qui cymbala 
 iunt fanaticae juventutis : ego vero fentio, et quis fum 
 ipfe (barbam, hui, tarn gravem) et apud quos dico, 
 viros limatae auris atque terfae, quorum gravitate ac 
 purpura non abutar. 
 
 Quare ut parcius agam vobifcum, fimulque et labo- 
 ribus meis, et veftrae fidei confulam, quemadmodum 
 artifices non omnes licitantibus producunt merces, fed 
 fpecimen tantum ; fie et ipfe excerpam e Principis re- 
 bus geftis pugillum ; unam actionem e multis feligam, 
 quam vobis ampleclendam diffuaviandamque praebebo : 
 efto autem hoc ipfum iter, quod nuper emenfus eft, ut 
 fciatis omnes quam nude, quam fimpliciter vobifcum 
 agam, quam non longe abeam Oratorum more, qui 
 
ORATIO. 37? 
 
 nullum non angulum verrunt (ac fi perdiderint inge- 
 nium) ut Spartam exornent fuam : Ego vero non dicam 
 vobis quod factum eft ante feculum veftrum, aut apud 
 Indos > unicum hoc iter nuperum explicabo, in quo 
 longe uberrimam gloriae fegetem, perfpicio, nulla ver- 
 borum, nulla temporis falce demetendam. 
 
 Non unum quid fpectant, aut fingulare Magni animi, 
 fed varia folent effe eorum confilia, finefque multiplices 
 et polymiti, ut fi minus id afiequantur, quod primum 
 intendunt, faltem in fecundis aut tertiis confiftant. 
 Quare et principis iter multiplicem nobis exhibet pru- 
 dentiam : primo nuptias ipfas fpectate. Quid autem ? 
 Ergon' amavit Princeps ? Ouippini ; homo eft, non 
 ftatua ; Sceptriger, non fceptrum : aequumne eft ut tot 
 labores et follicitudines Principum fine condimento fint 
 atque embammate ? Quid fi cochleas colligeret cum 
 Caligula, praefertim cum poflit in eodem littore ? Ouid 
 fi mufcas captaret cum Domitiano ? at ille ambivit no- 
 biliflimam Auftriacam familiam, Aquilamque illam, quae 
 non capit mufcas. Nihil habet humana vita majoris 
 momenti aut ponderis, quam Nuptiae, quas adeo laudant 
 Poetae, ut in coelum tranftulerint : Et tv riv 6 avOpw-n-oc, 
 inquit Medicorum Alpha, ovk av rjXyeev. Hinc Thraces 
 difti funt afiioi, et Licurgus magnus Legiflator, drijuLiav 
 TrpoatOtitce ToiQ dyafxotg : Abfque nuptiis foret populus 
 virorum eiTemus unius feculi ; hac re folum ulcifcimur 
 mortem, ligantes abruptum vitae filum, unde confequi- 
 mur, vel invitis Fatis quafi nodofam aeternitatem. 
 
 Non ignoro apud quos haec dico, eos fcilicet, qui in- 
 nuptam Palladem colunt, Mufafque ccelibes, qui pofte- 
 ros libris non liberis quaeritis. Nolite tamen nimium 
 efferre vos, cum Virginitas ipfa fructus fit Nuptiarum : 
 quod pereleganter et fupra barbariem feculi innuebant 
 Majores noftri, quiolim glafto fe inficientes, in uxorum 
 corporibus, Solem, Lunam, et Stellas ; in virginum, 
 flores atque herbas depinxere : ut enim Uxores, Vir- 
 
374 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 gines ; ita Sol et Coelum producunt flores, qui fymboia 
 funt fpei, quoniam a floribus fruflus fperantur. 
 
 Quod fi Nuptiae in fe graves funt, quanto magis 
 Principum, cum, quo eorum conditio fublimior, eo 
 major cura adhibenda fit. Deus ipfe cum crearet ho- 
 minem, mundi regem, confilio ufus eft. Quare ope- 
 rofior in eo ftru&ura, et praerogativae regiae emicant. 
 Soli homini dantur manus, foli caput rotundum et 
 ccelefte, foli facies tanquam veftibulum magni palatii. 
 Jam vero, ut Rex animalium fiat Rex hominum, appo- 
 nimus nos manibus Sceptrum, capiti et faciei coronam, 
 fignificantes oportere Reges iis partibus antecellere 
 homines, quibus homo bruta, juftitia fcilicet et pruden- 
 tia. Goropius Becanus ait vetus vocabulum noftrum, 
 I&Otttniy, et contra£t.e l&lttjy, a Con verbo deduci, 
 quod tria comple£t.itur, Poflum, Scio, Audeo : cernitis 
 Regem, et nomine et re magnum quid polliceri, ideo- 
 que ex quolibet ligno, qualibet uxore non efle fingen- 
 dum : neque enim minus refert, qualis quaeque fit 
 mater, e qua liberi quaerantur quam qualis terra, e qua 
 arbores. Apud Juris-confultos, partus fequitur ven- 
 trem : quibus accedunt Poetae, 
 
 "Orav Kpr)7riQ, july) Kara(5\r}6y tov yivovg 
 'Opflwc, avayjcrj Sv(ttv\uv rovg licjovovg. 
 
 Nam ut educationem liberorum mittam, qua in re Cele- 
 bris eft Gracchorum mater, ingenium ipfum atque 
 indoles (veluti Conclufio fequitur infirmiorem partem) 
 plerumque matriflat : hinc contigifle arbitror apud Ro- 
 manos, quod nonnullae familiae femper mites effent, uti 
 Valerii, aliae contra femper pertinaces ac tribunitiae/uti 
 Appii. Quare noluit Princeps optimus, in deleclu 
 uxoris, re una omnium graviflima alienis oculis judicio- 
 que inniti ; Ipfe, ipfe profe£tus eft, ut ingenti labore 
 fuo et periculo confuleret, et praefenti Reipublicae et 
 futurae ; neque unius feculi Princeps, fed et omnium, 
 
ORATIO. 375 
 
 quae ventura funt, haberetur. Neque in hifce Nuptiis 
 poiteritati tantum profpexit fuaviffimus Princeps, verum 
 etiam praefenti feculo, dum pacem, qua tot jam annis 
 impune fruimur, hoc pacto fundatam cupit ct perpe- 
 tuam ; quod quidem ubi gentium fi non ab Hifpano 
 fperandum ? v Orav vojuievQ dyaObv kvvcl i^y, kol ol 
 ciXXol vo/uLug f3ov\ovrat ttX^cjlov avrov rag dy£\ag 
 laravai. Scio Belli nomen fplendidum efle et dorio^ 
 fum, dum animus grandis, fuique impos, triumphos et 
 victorias, quafi fraena ferox fpumantia mandit, juvat 
 micare gladio et mucronem intueri. 
 
 Jam nunc minaci murmure cornuum 
 Stringuntur aures : jam litui ftrepunt, 
 Jam fulgor armorum fugaces 
 
 Terret equos equitumque vultus. 
 
 Cum tamen fplendida plerumque vitrea fint, claritatem 
 fragilitate corrumpentia ; neque de privato agamus 
 bono, fed publico ; certe fatendum eft, anteferendam 
 bello pacem, fine qua omnis vita procella, et mundus 
 folitudo. Pace, filii fepeliunt patres ; bello, patres, 
 filios : pace, aegri fanantur ; bello, etiam fani intereunt : 
 pace, fecuritas in agris eft : bello, neque intra muros : 
 pace, avium cantus expergefacit ; bello, tubas ac tym- 
 pana : pax novum orbem aperuit ; bellum deftruit 
 veterem. 
 
 'Ep/jvrj yewpybv kclv itirpaig rpi(pet KaXo)g 9 
 
 IIoXeUOC ^£ KCLV 7TsSl(*) KCLKOQ t(j>V . 
 
 Quod ad noftram Rempublicam, Academiam, pax 
 adeo Mufis fumme neceftaria eft, ut fine ea nihil fimus. 
 Nam primum tota haec Pieria fupellex, charta, calami, 
 codices, quam fubitu difpereunt, fimul ac concrepuit 
 incendium militare : quid proderunt fcalpella veftra, 
 quando ipfae hae turres et beatae fabricae, unico iclu 
 
376 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 fulphurei tubi, unica litura delentur ? Dein quid Muiis 
 cum tumultu ? Otium pofcunt artes, mentem tran- 
 quillam, ferenam, fudam : lucos aeftate, pinguem togam 
 hyeme : delicata res eft eruditio et tenera, tanquam 
 flos molliculus rudiore Centurionis manu tactus flac- 
 cefcit. Tu, qui Philofophiae incumbis, cum corporis 
 cum animu vinculum impedimento eiTe ad contemplan- 
 dum caufaris, irruit Miles in Mufaeum tuum, et gladio 
 te liberat. Tu, qui aftra fcrutaris, dum globos tractas 
 et ccelos fictitios, perrumpit primipilus, et te cum ccelis 
 tuis ad inferos deturbat. Senflt hoc Archimedes, 
 figuras jam nunc pulveri infcriptas, corpore confofTo 
 obliterans. Quare cavendum, ne pacem, quae fola in- 
 cubat artibus, et obftetricatur, minus quam par eft, 
 aeftimemus. Quod aliae gentes manibus in ccelum 
 fublatis, lachrymis in terram manantibus, jejunae, fqua- 
 lidae, perdies, pernocT:es flagitant, cavendum ne id nobis 
 naufeam moveat, aut tanquam oves taedulae et faftidi- 
 ofae, cibum refpuamus. Ecquid nefcitis miferias Belli ? 
 confulite hiftorias ; illic tuta cognitio eft, atque extra 
 teli ja£him. Ecce lanienas omnimodas, truncata cor- 
 pora, mutilatam imaginem Dei, pauxillum vitas, quan- 
 tum fat is ad dolendum, urbium incendia, fragores, 
 direptiones, ftupratas virgines, praegnantes bis inter- 
 fectas, infantulos plus lactis quam cruoris emittentes ; 
 effigies, imo umbras hominum fame, frigore, illuvie, 
 enecftas, contufas, debilitatas. Quam cruenta gloria 
 eft, quae fuper cervicibus hominum erigitur ? ubi in 
 dubio eft, qui facit, an qui patitur, miferior. 
 
 Non ne^o bellum aliquando neceiTarium efTe, bel- 
 lique miferias gratas, praecipue ubi velut ex conti- 
 nentibus te&is ad nos trajeiturum eft incendium : 
 
 ^W^pOVWV £(7Tl fJLTj TTEOlflivUV^ OT£ 7To\efJLelv VjUlV 
 
 6/mo\oyr)(jEi) dixit Mithridates. Sed non eft noftri bel- 
 lum indicere ; prudentiffimus Rex mature profpiciet, 
 ubi ille fignum fuftulerit, Leones Britannici (e quorum 
 
oratio. 377 
 
 oflibus collifis ignis elicitur) qui nunc manfueti funt, 
 abunde rugient. Interim curiofitas abfit, neque eorum 
 fatagamus, quae ad nos non fpectant ; fed velut Ro- 
 mani lacum, cujus altitudo ignota erat, dedicabant 
 victoriae ; pariter et nos confilia regia, tanquam gurgi- 
 tern imperveftigabilem, vi&oriae nuncupemus ; praefer- 
 tim cum futura incerta fint, et nullis perfpicillis, ne 
 Belgicis quidem affequenda : apud poetas deorum pha- 
 retrae operculum habuere, humanae non item : patent 
 enim confilia noftra, abfconduntur Divina et Regia, 
 praecipue pharetrata, quae ad poenam gentium et Bel- 
 lum fpectant. Sunt tamen acuti quidam et emuniri, 
 qui omnia praevident : nihil eos latet ac fi Fatis a fufo 
 effent, atque confiliis, fine quibus ne unum quidem 
 filum torquerent: nobis non licet effe tarn perfpicaci- 
 bus, quamvis rationi confonum videtur, ut qui hie in 
 Mufarum monte editiflimo, et ipfo Parnaffo fiti fumus, 
 liberiorem, quam alii, profpectum habeamus. Illud 
 autem, quod cuivis clariflime patet, etiam lufco ; nun- 
 quam intueri fatis vel mirari poffumus nimirum infini- 
 tum Principis in fuam gentem amorem, cui pacem 
 quaefivit fuo capite, periculis fuis. 
 
 Recte facitis, Academici, attollentes oculos cum 
 ftupore ; Laudo vos, neque enim quicquam hoc iti- 
 nere mirabilius, cujus tamen fructum omnen nondum 
 habetis enucleatum. Quid enim fi praeter Nuptias, 
 prolem, tranquillitatem, etiam et fcientiae augmen- 
 tum ex hoc itinere captavit folertiflimus Princeps ? 
 nihil ad cognitionem acquirendam peregrinatione 
 conducibilius effe noviftis omnes, unde cuncti antiqui 
 Philofophi peregrinati funt, exiftimantes Tv^Xovq slvai 
 7rpbg 6£u /3X£7Tovrac 5 ava7ro^r)iuLr}TovQ irpog s/cSaS^jurjKO- 
 rac- Quamvis res haec Principibus ut utiliffima ita 
 difficillima facta, cum quanto plus poflint in fua terra, 
 tanto minus in aliena. Omne regnum fuo Principi 
 career eft, aut fi excedat, alienum : at Nofter diffi- 
 
378 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 cultatem fuperans, fructum confecutus eft : quid enim 
 utilius quam ex obfervatione exterarum Legum ac 
 morum, patriam ditare ? Catonianum praeceptum eft : 
 Vicini quo pacto niteant, id animum advertito ; adde 
 quod angufti eft animi aut fuperbi fua tantum nofle, 
 praefertim cum in uno regno non fint omnia : divifit Na- 
 tura fuas dotes, ut indigentia fingularum regionum, om- 
 nes connectit ; etenim abundantia morofa eft et fternax, 
 unde divites fylvas, ac faltus quaerunt ubi asdificent, ac 
 fi non gregaria effent animalia, fed tigres aut urfi. 
 Quamobrem optime confuluit gentibus natura, cum 
 paupertatem daret tanquam catenam, qua diflitas na- 
 tiones ac fuperbas conftringeret. Porro fi Politicos 
 audiamus, Salus regnorum pendet a vicinis, quorum 
 confilia, apparatus, foedera, munitiones, aeque ac noftra 
 fpecTiari debent : incumbant fibi invicem imperia, tan- 
 quam ligna obliqua, aliter magna hasc mundi domus 
 corrueret : hinc Reges Legatos habent ftatarios ac 
 refides, quern locum Nofter fuaviffimus implevit, ipfe 
 egit oratorem, ut et ego aliquantulum hoc nomine 
 glorier. 
 
 Neque alienas tantum ex hoc itinere cognovit Ref- 
 publicas fed quod plus eft, fuam ; abfentia magis quam 
 praefentia. Nunc enim exploratos habet noftros in fe 
 affectus, timores, fufpiria, expoftulationes, iras, amorem 
 rurfus. Deus bone ? qui turn rumores ? quae audi- 
 tiones ? qui fufurri ? Heus, abiitne Nofter ? miferos 
 nos ; nunquam frigidiorem aeftatem fenfimus ; at quo 
 tandem ? Madritum ? hui ! iter bene longum : Quid 
 autem illic ? fterilem aiunt regionem : Fallens, nuf- 
 quam plura bona, cum etiam mala illic fint aurea : 
 nihil inaudifti de Tago, Pa&olo ? apud nos agri tan- 
 tum funt fertiles, illic etiam arenae. Dii te perdant, 
 cum malis tuis et arena fine calce : at ego Principem 
 vellem, Carolum, Carolum ; ficcine abiifti folus ? cur 
 non nos omnes tecum ? cur non ut elephanti turres, ita 
 
oratio. 379 
 
 tu patriam tecum portafti ? Sic tunc omnes ftrepe- 
 bant ; hujufmodi lamentis et quiritationibus plena erant 
 fora, nundinae, conciliabula, angiportus, Mseandri. Dh 
 cam vobis, Academici ; ego tunc temporis liberior 
 eram, hue illuc pro libitu circumcurfitans : infpexi 
 facies hominum ac vultus curiofius tanquam emptor, 
 ita me ametis omnes, ut ego nihil ufpiam lcetum, nihil 
 candidum expifcari porTem ; oculi omnium dejecti, hu- 
 mile os, collum penfile, manus decuflatae, ipfae mulieres 
 inelegantes, nulla pulchritudo per univerfam Britan- 
 niam, difparuit forma, Albion nomine excidit : ipfum 
 caelum nubilum Temper, et poeta ftultus qui dixerat, 
 
 Minima contentos nocte Britannos. 
 
 Inde ego fie mecum : gaudeo quidem de ingenti 
 amore in Principem, cui nulla dilectio par effe poteft \ 
 at cur adeo dolent ? cur ringuntur ? num diffidunt pru- 
 dentiae Regis ? annon ejus confilio res gefta eft ? Scio 
 Hifpanum verfutum, callidum, artis et aucupii apprime 
 gnarum : et Jacobus a nobis eft : hie ego me erexi et 
 de dolore remifi plurimum, de defiderio nihil. Atque 
 hoc quidem ftatu res erant, Suaviflime Carole, cum tu 
 aberas; ex quo facile colleclum erat, quantum deperimus 
 te ; quam Itulte de te rixamur : ut aliquando exiftimem 
 id egifle prudentiflimum Patrem tuum, cum dimitteret 
 te in Hifpaniam, quod Romani Imperatores in bello, 
 qui folebant figna in hoftes injicere, ut milites acrius ea 
 repeterent : certe nos te abfentem omnes acerrime con- 
 citatiffimeque defideravimus. 
 
 Ecquid videtis tandem quam utile hoc iter, per quod 
 optimus Princeps non tantum exteras regiones habuit 
 perfpeclias, veram etiam fuam ; Quid ft hie lateat etiam 
 Temperantia, rara in Principibus virtus, et cui cum 
 fceptro lites faepius intercedunt ? Quid enim ? adeon' 
 nihili videtur res, Principem omnibus deliciis abundan- 
 tem, obfeptum, illecebris, voluptatibus quafi fafciis cir- 
 
380 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 cundatum, enatare deliciis, tranfilire fepes, rumpere 
 fafcias cum Hercule, ferpentefque interficere voluptatis, 
 ut iter tantum, tantis laboribus, periculis obnoxium 
 fuiciperet ? Quam pudet me delicatorum Caesarum, 
 qui cupiditatibus immerfi, aut uno Temper faginantur in 
 loco, uti anguillae, aut fi mutant locum, geftantur, 
 tanquam onera, circumferuntur molliffimis lecticis, 
 indicantes, fe non amare patriam terram a qua adeo 
 removentur. Sic pafcunt fe indies, ac fi corpora fua 
 non abirent olim in elementa, fed in bellaria aut trage- 
 mata : cum tamen in refolutione ilia ultima, nulla fit 
 diftinitio populi aut principis : nulla funt fceptra in 
 dementis, nulli fafces aut fecures : Vapores ferviles ad 
 nubes educli, aeque magnum tonitru edent ac regii. 
 Quid ego vobis Neronum aut Heliogabalorum ingluvi- 
 em memorem ? quid ru£tus crapulaa folium poffidentis ? 
 Dies me deficeret (et quidem nox aptior efTet tali 
 hiftoriae) fi Romanorum Imperatorum incredibilem 
 luxum a Tiberio Caefare ad Conftantinum magnum 
 aperirem, quorum imperium gulae impar erat, ut inter- 
 dum putem, optime confuluifle Deum orbi terrarum 
 lapides et metalla ei inferendo, aliter mundus jamdiu 
 fuiffet devoratus. Nota funt rapiyiviiaTa iEgyptiorum, 
 qui antequam condiebant corpora Nobilium, folebant 
 ventres eximere, quos in area repofitos abjiciebant in 
 fluvium, his verbis. 'O Si<nroTa tjXie koi Oiot 7ravTeg, 
 a t\ Kara rbv efiavrov fi'iov rnuaprov, rj (paytbv rj 
 7Ti<l)v 9 Sjv jutrj Oe/diTov rjv, ov $1 IjuLavTov rijuLaprovj 
 aXXa Sia ravra. At nofter fpretis voluptatibus, 
 illecebris futeXiraiaig ayxovaiQ abjedtis, iter aggreditur 
 et labores, haud ignarus, ignem vitas augeri ven- 
 tilatione, defidia corrumpi, neminemque efle fui 
 negligentiorem, quam qui fibi parcat. Quin exuit 
 perfonam Principis, deponit Majeftatem, virgam cum 
 fceptro commutans, ut quid privata habeat in fe 
 vita commodi aut voluptatis, experiretur. Nihil 
 
ORATIO. 381 
 
 utilius Regi quum aliquando non regnare : hoc enim 
 faftum amputat, aftccius explorat, adulationem ven- 
 tilat, et adulatores, qui femper titillant aures Princi- 
 pum, ' Llatrtp rolq rrTtpoig kv(a)jj.evol tu u>Ta. Alfredus 
 nobiliflimus Saxonum noftrorum Princeps, fub ementito 
 habitu fidicinis caftra hoftium ingreffus, ipfumque Prae- 
 torium, fidibus canendo, omnia Danorum expifcatus 
 confilia, vi&oriam celebrem confecutus eft. Notiffi- 
 mus eft Codri amor, cujus manifeftationem in gentem 
 fuam, privatae perfonae et habitui debuit. Porro, eft 
 etiam interdum fatietas quaedam honoris, quern ad 
 tempus deponere famem excitat : non minus vitae inae- 
 qualitas dele£tat, quam terras, quam Natura montibus 
 vallibufque fublimitate atque humilitate diftinxit : quin 
 et venti imperant pelago, ut laevitatem illam aequabilem 
 atque politiem perturbent. In piituris locus eft umbris 
 et receflibus, etiam ft quis Principem pingat. Amat 
 varietatem Natura omnis, flores, animalia, turn maxime 
 homo, cui foli ideo, infunt oculi variegati, cum caetera 
 animantia unicolores habeant. Quamobrem non eft 
 mirandum, ft Reges ipfi quandoque fuavitates fuas 
 populari aceto condiant. 
 
 Accepiftis, Viri attentiflimi, caufas itineris hujus, 
 quantum quidem ego homuncio ac nanus conjeftando 
 affequor. Quare nunc vobis ex pede Herculem, ex 
 itinere Principem metiri licet, quod fane adeo nobile 
 fuit et honorificum, ut nihil habeat Invidia ipfa, quod 
 contra hifcat aut muflitet. Adeft tamen anus ilia querula, 
 et (/uAey/cAi^uwi;, quam audire videor dicentem Pulchrum 
 quidem iter et Amante dignum ; ficcine peffima ? at 
 fuerit ; ft amor virginis eo pertraxit Principem, quo 
 tandem ducet amor Patriae ? eadem acies et ftipulam 
 fecat et lignum ; idem fervor qui impar fub amoris 
 figno meritus eft, ad vera caftra traductus, hoftem, 
 interficiet : idem impetus, qui peragravit Hifpaniam, ft 
 opus fit, fuperabit ; prasfertim cum amico fidere peri- 
 
382 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 culofius fit quam hoftem fuperare. Protagoras cum 
 elegantur admodum caudices ligni fafciculo vinxiffet, 
 cum grandi atque impedito onere facillime incedens, 
 occurrit ei Democritus, et ingenium admirans, domum 
 fecum duxit, et erudivit artibus : qui inde a bajulo 
 evafit Philofophus, eodem ingenio ufus in lignis et 
 Uteris : quis fcit an et amoris onus fcite vinctum liga- 
 tumque et per tot milliaria facile tranfmiflum, mentem 
 majorum capacem indicet ? Florunt apud nos artes 
 omnes, inter quas et Mathematicae, quae licet verfentur 
 in figuris defcribendis, quibus nihil imperito vanius inu- 
 tiliufve videatur, ubi tamen ad ufum tralatae fuerint, ma- 
 chinas conficiunt ad defenfionem Reipublicae mirabiles : 
 Sic idem animus, qui nuper verfatus eft in forma et 
 figuris vultus, ubi res poftulat, regnum tuebitur : imo 
 in univerfum, fi quis de Principe aliquo, quis fit futurus 
 aut qualis, recte divinaret, non refpiciat materiam ac- 
 tionum, fed quo fpiritu, qua arte, quanto impetu atque 
 vigore res aggrediatur : quemadmodum in Cometae 
 praefagio, non refpicitur, quae materia fit, cceleftis an 
 fublunaris, fed quae figna, quo motu tranfeat. 
 
 Verum mittamus invidos et invidiam, quae femper fe 
 devorat primum, uti vermis nucleum, e quo nafcitur ; 
 non eft tanti refpondere latratibus malevolorum ; licet 
 celebres fint canes Britannici, et plus jufto celebres, 
 cum leunculum et dominum fuum contra naturam 
 adoriantur : in Geoponicis dicitur, KaToirrpov lav liri- 
 Sei^rfg Top liriKUfiivoj vicpei, TraptXeixTzrat fi ^aAa£a : 
 quanto citius fugient calumniae, fi fpeculum Invidiae 
 oftendas, quo deformitatem fuam intueatur. Nos vero, 
 flores Parnafli, gaudia praeftolantur, quae jamdudum 
 annuunt mihi ut perorem. Hilaris haec fumenda eft 
 dies. Quare prodite tenebriones literarii e gurguftiis 
 veftris, ubi trecenta foliorum jugera uno die fedentes 
 percurritis ; prodite omnes. Quid novi ? Quid novi 
 ftupide ? Rediit Princeps, Carolus rediit, honore gra- 
 
ORATIO. 383 
 
 vidus, gravidus fcientia, cruribus thyrno plenis : ut 
 enim vapor, qui furtim afcendit ad nubes, ubi jam in- 
 gravefcit humore, rclabitur in terram, qua ortus eft, 
 eique cum fecundia remuneratur ; fie et Nofter qui 
 clanculum exiit, ufque ad Pyrenaeas nubes confcendens, 
 reverfus per mare, gloria, prudentia auctior, ditat pa- 
 triam, fuamque abfentiam cum faenore compenfat. 
 Quamobrem abjicite quifque libros, non eft locus gra- 
 vitati, neque apud vos : tripudiet Alma Mater licet 
 aetate provectior, etiam anus fubfultans multum excitet 
 pulveris : Arionem Delphino reveclum excepere ar- 
 bores tripudiantes, et Vos ftatis ? 
 
 Tantum precemur Deum immortalem, ut Princeps 
 optimus nulla fecunda itinera meditetur ; pofthac con- 
 tineat fe patria, cujus arctis amplexibus nunquam fe 
 expediet. Gulielmus Victor defcenfurus primum e 
 navibus in terram hanc, incidit in ccenum, quod in- 
 nuebat eum hie manfurum : utinam et nunc fit tanta 
 patriae tenacitas, ut nunquam Princeps fe extricet : 
 fatis virtuti datum eft, fatis Reipublicae. Quod fi 
 necefle fit iterum exire patria, qui nunc invenit viam, 
 proximo itinere faciat. Apollo olim depofitis radiis, 
 Daphnen deperiit, at ilia mutata eft in arborem tri- 
 umphantium propriam : Nofter etiam Princeps habuit 
 Daphnen fuam, cujus amor deinceps in triumphos et 
 laurus mutabitur. 
 
 Nos vero, Auditores, diu jam peregrinati cum Prin- 
 cipe, commode pervenimus ad laurum hanc, ubi fub 
 umbra ejus paulifper requiefcamus ; praefertim donee 
 tranfeat nubes ilia, quae vicinos adeo infeftat : hie enim 
 fecuri fumus a pluvia, imo a fulmine : Obfecremus 
 eum tantum ut permittat noftram hanc 
 
 Inter vidirices hederam fibi ferpere Lauros 
 
 Dixi. 
 
384 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 ORATIO DOMINI GEORGII HERBERT, 
 
 Oratoris Academiae Cantabrigienfis, habita coram 
 
 Dominis Legatis* cum Magiftro. in Artib. 
 
 Titulis Infignirentur. 
 
 27 Feb. 1622. 
 
 excellentissimi magnificentissimi 
 Domini, 
 
 POST honores eximios, praefe&uras infignes, Lega- 
 tiones Nobiliflimas, aliofque titulos asque nobis 
 memorantibus, ac merentibus vobis gratiffimos, Saluete 
 tandem Magiftri Artium, et quidem omnium Aulica- 
 rum, Militarium, Academicarum. Cujus novi tituli 
 acceffionem fumme gratulantur Excellentiis Veftris 
 Mufae omnes, Gratiaeque, obfecrantes, ut deponatis 
 paulifper vultus illos bellicos, quibus holies foletis in 
 poteftatem redigere, leniorefque afpectus, et dulciores 
 affumatis : nos etiam exuentes os illud, et fupercilium 
 quibus caperatam feverioremque, Philofophiam expug- 
 nare novimus, quicquid hilare eft, laetum, ac lubens, 
 veftram in gratiam amplectimur. Quid enim jucundius 
 accidere poteft, quum ut miniftri Regis Catholica ad 
 nos accedant ? cujus ingens gloria aeque rotunda eft 
 atque ipfe orbis : qui utrafque Indias Hifpania fua quafi 
 modo connectens, nullas metas laudum, nullas Hercu- 
 leas columnas, quas jam olim poffidet, agnofcit. Jam- 
 dudum nos omnes, noftrumque regnum geftimus fieri 
 participes ejus fanguinis, qui tantos fpiritus folet infun- 
 
 * Don Charles de Coloma, Spanifh ambaflador, and Ferdinand, 
 Baron of Boyfcot, ambaflador of Ifabella, Archduchefs of 
 Auftria. London, Printed by W. Stanfby, for Richard Meighen. 
 1623. 
 
ORATIO. 385 
 
 dere. Et quod obfervatione cum primis dignum eft, 
 quo magis amore coalcfcamus, utraque gens Hifpanica, 
 firitannica, colimus Jacobum. Jacobus tutelaris divus 
 eft utrique noftrum ; ut fatis intelligatis, Excellentias 
 veftras tanto chariores effe, cum eo fitis ordine atque 
 habitu, quo nos in hoc regno omnes effe gloriamur. 
 Guin et Sereniflimae Principis Ifabellae laudes, virtutef- 
 que, vicinum fretum quotidie tranfnatantes, litora noftra 
 atque aures mire circumfop^nt. Neceffe eft autem ut 
 fcelicitas tantorum Principum etiam in miniftros redun- 
 det, quorum in eligendis illis judicium jampridem 
 apparet. Ouare excellentiflimi, Spiendidiftimi Domini, 
 cum tanti fitis et in Principibus Veftris, et in vobifme- 
 tipfis, veremur ne nihil hie fit, quod magnitudini prae- 
 fentiae veftras refpondeat. Quis enim apud nos fplendor, 
 aut rerum, aut veftium ? quae rutilatio ? certe cum 
 duplex fulgor fit, qui mundi oculos perftringat, nos tarn 
 defecimus in utroque quam Excellentiae Veftrae abun- 
 dant. Quin imo Arte* hie funt quietae, et filentio 
 ocultae, tranquillitas, otium, pax omnibus praeterquam 
 tineis, paupertas perpetua, nifi ubi veftrae adfunt Ex- 
 cellentiae. Nolito tamen contemnere has gloriolas 
 noftras quas ex chartis et pulvere eruimus. Quo- 
 modo poffetis fimiles effe Alexandro Magno nifi ejus 
 res geftas tradidiffet hiftoria ? feritur fama in hoc faeculo, 
 ut in fequenti metatur : prius Excellentiis Veftris curae 
 erit y pofterioris largam meffern Vobis haec tenuia bona 
 confulentibus > vovemus. 
 
 c c 
 
386 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 THE ORATION OF MASTER GEORGE 
 HERBERT. 
 
 Orator of the Univerfity of Cambridge, when the 
 
 Ambafladors were made Mailers of 
 
 Arts. 27 Feb. 1622. 
 
 Most Excellent and most magnificent Lords, 
 
 AFTER many lingular honours, remarkable com- 
 mands, more, noble AmbdTages, and other titles 
 moft pleafing, as well to us remembering, as to you 
 deferving them ; we at laft falute you Mafters of Arts ; 
 yea, indeed of all, both Courtly, Military, Academical. 
 The acceffion of which new title to your Excellencies, 
 all the Mufes and Graces congratulate ; entreating that 
 you would awhile lay afide thofe warlike looks, with 
 which you ufed to conquer your enemies, and affume 
 more mild and gracious afpe£r,s; and we alfo putting oft 
 that countenance and gravity, by which we well know 
 how to convince the ftern, and more auftere fort of 
 Philofophy, for refpeit to you, embrace all that is cheer- 
 ful, joyous, pleafing. For> what could have happened 
 more pleafing to us, than the accefs of the Officers of 
 the Catholic King ? whofe exceeding glory is equally 
 round with the world itfelf : who tying, as with a knot, 
 both Indies to his Spain, knows no limits of his praife, 
 no, not, as in paft ages, thofe Pillars of Hercules. Long 
 fince, all we and our whole Kingdom exult with joy, to 
 be united with that blood which ufeth to infufe fo great 
 and worthy Spirits. And that which firft deferveth our 
 obfervation, to the end, we might the more by love 
 
ORATION 387 
 
 grow on, both the Spanifh and Britifh Nation ferve and 
 worlhip James. James is the protecting Saint unto us 
 both, that you may well conceive your Excellencies to 
 be more dear unto us, in that you are of the fame order 
 and habit, of which we all in this Kingdom glory to be. 
 The praifes alfo and virtues of the moft renowned 
 Princefs Ifabel, pafTing daily our neighbouring Sea, won- 
 droufly found through all our Coafts and ears. And 
 necefTarily muft the felicity of fo great Princes redound 
 alfo to thofe fervants, in the choice of whom their 
 judgment doth even now appear. Wherefore moft 
 Excellent, moft illuftrious Lords, fince you are fo great 
 both in your princes, and yourfelves, we juftly fear 
 that there is nothing here anfwerable to the greatnefs of 
 your prcfence. For amongft us, what glorious fhew is 
 there, either of garments or of any thing elfe ? what 
 fplendour ? furely, fince there is a twofold brightnefs 
 which dazzleth the eyes of men, we have as much failed 
 as your Excellencies do excel in both. But yet the Arts 
 in quietnefs and filence here are reverenced : here is 
 tranquillity, repofe, peace with all but Book worms, per- 
 petual poverty, but when your Excellencies appear. Yet 
 do not ye contemn thefe our flight glories, which we 
 raife from Books, and painful induftry; how could you 
 be like great Alexander, unlefs Hiftory delivered his 
 actions ? Fame is fown in this age, that it may be 
 reaped in the following ; let the firft be the care of your 
 Excellencies ; we for your gracious acceptance of thefe 
 poor duties wifh, and vow unto you of the laft a plen- 
 teous Harvefl. 
 
 c c 2 
 
Preface and Notes to the Divine 
 Confiderations of John ValdefTo. 
 
 PRINTED AT CAMBRIDGE, 1646. 
 
 [Mr. Nicholas Ferrar, the amiable reclufe of Gidden 
 Hall, while travelling in Spain became acquainted with 
 this treatife of ValdefTo, a Spanifh gentleman at the court 
 of Charles V. and having tranflated the work, he fent 
 it to Herbert for his opinion and reviiion. The follow- 
 ing Notes, the fruit of the requeft, were communicated 
 to Mr. Ferrar, with this letter], 
 
 MY dear and deferving Brother, your ValdefTo I 
 now return with many thanks and fome notes, 
 in which, perhaps, you will difcover fome care, which 
 I forbear not in the midft of my griefs : Firft, for your 
 fake, becaufe I would do nothing negligently that you 
 commit unto me : Secondly, for the Author's fake, 
 whom I have conceived to have been a true fervant of 
 God, and to fuch, and all that is theirs, I owe diligence : 
 Thirdly, for the Church's fake, to whom by printing 
 it, I would have you confecrate it. You owe the 
 church a debt, and God hath put this into your hands 
 (as he fent the fifh with money to Saint Peter) to dis- 
 charge it ; happily alfo with this (as his thoughts are 
 fruitful), intending the honour of his fervant the author, 
 who being obfcured in his own country, he would 
 have to flourifh in this land of light and region of 
 the Gofpel, among his chofen. It is true there are 
 
NOTES TO THE DIVINE CONSIDERATIONS. 389 
 
 fome things which I like not in him, as my fragments 
 will exprefs, when you read them ; nevcrthelefs I wifh 
 you by all means to publifh it, for thefe three eminent 
 things obfervable therein : Firft, that God in the midft 
 of popery mould open the eyes of one to underftand 
 and exprefs fo clearly and excellently the intent of the 
 Gofpel, in the acceptation of Chrift's righteoufnefs (as 
 he fhoweth through all his Confiderations), a thing 
 ftrangely buried and darkened by the Adverfaries and 
 their great ftumbling-block. Secondly, the great honour 
 and reverence, which he everywhere bears towards our 
 dear Mafter and Lord, concluding every Confideration 
 almoft with his holy Name, and letting his merit forth 
 fo pioufly ; for which I do fo love him, that were there 
 nothing elfe I would Print it, that with it the honour of 
 my Lord might be publifhed. Thirdly, the many pious 
 rules of ordering our life, about mortification, and ob~ 
 fervation of God's kingdom within us, and the working 
 thereof, of which he was a very diligent obferver. 
 Thefe three things are very eminent in the Author, and 
 overweigh the defects, as I conceive, towards the pub- 
 lifhing thereof. 
 
 From Bemerton, near Salifbur) ; 
 Septemb. 29, 1632. 
 
 H 
 
 Notes to the Divine Confiderations. 
 Page 33. 
 E often ufeth this manner of fpeech, believing by 
 
 Revelation^ whereby I underftand he meaneth 
 only the effectual operation or illumination of the Holy 
 Spirit, teftifying and applying the revealed truth of the 
 Gofpel, and not any private Enthufiafms or revelations : 
 as if he mould fay, A general apprehenfion, or affent 
 
390 her.bert's prose works. 
 
 to the promifes of the Gofpel, by hearfay or relation 
 from others, is not that which nlleth the heart with joy 
 and peace in believing, but the Spirit's bearing witneis 
 with our fpirit, revealing and applying the general pro- 
 mifes to every one in particular, with fuch fmcerity and 
 efficacy, that it makes him godly, righteous, and fober 
 all his life long, This I call believing by Revelation, 
 and not by relation. 
 
 Page 107. 
 
 I much miflike the comparifon of Images and hol}< 
 Scriptures, as if they were both but alphabets, anL 
 after a time to be left. The holy Scriptures have not 
 only an elementary ufe, but a ufe of perfection ; neither 
 can they ever be exhaufted (as pictures may by a 
 plenary circumfpection), but ftill, even to the moit 
 learned and perfect in them, there is fomewhat to be 
 learned more : therefore David defireth God, in the 
 1 19th Pfalm, to open his eyes, that he might fee the 
 wondrous things of his law, and that he would make 
 them his ftudy ; although, by other words of the fame 
 Pfalm, it is evident that he was not meanly converfant 
 in them. Indeed, he that fhall fo attend to the back 
 of the letter as to neglect the confideration of God's 
 work in his heart through the word, doth amifs > both 
 are to be done : the Scriptures ftill ufed, and God's 
 work within us ftill obferved, who works by his word, 
 and ever in the reading of it. As for that text, They 
 Jhall be all taught of God^ it being Scripture, cannot 
 be fpoken to the difparagement of Scripture ; but the 
 meaning is this, that God in the days of the Gofpel 
 will not give an outward law of ceremonies as of old, 
 but fuch a one as fhall ftill have the affiftance of the 
 Holy Spirit applying it to our hearts, and ever outrun- 
 
 
NOTES TO THE DIVINE CONSIDERATIONS. 391 
 
 ning the teacher, as it did when Peter taught Cornelius. 
 There the cafe is plain : Cornelius had revelation, yet 
 Peter was to be fent for : and thofe that have infpira- 
 tions muft ftill ufe Peter, God's word : if we make 
 another fenfe of the Text, we (hall overthrow all means 
 Hive Catechizing, and fet up enthufiafms. 
 
 In the Scriptures are 
 Doctrines, thefe ever teach more and more. 
 Promifes, thefe ever comfort more and more. 
 
 Rom. xv. 4. 
 
 Page 109. 
 
 The doctrine of this Confideration cleareth that of 
 the former; for as the fervant leaves not the letter 
 when he hath read it, but keeps it by him, and reads it 
 again and again, and the more the promife is delayed 
 the more he reads it, and fortifies himfelf with it, fo are 
 we to do with the Scriptures, and this is the ufe of the 
 promifes of the Scriptures. But the ufe of the doctrinal 
 part is more, in regard it prefents us not with the fame 
 thing only when it is read, as the promifes do, but 
 enlightens us with new confiderations the more we read 
 it. Much more might be faid, but this fufficeth. He 
 himfelf allows it for a holy converfation and refrefhment 
 in the 32nd Confideration ; and amongft all divine and 
 fpiritual exercifes and duties, he nameth the reading 
 and meditation of holy Scripture for the firft and prin- 
 cipal, as Confid. 47, and others ; fo that it is plain the 
 author had a very reverend efteem of the holy Scrip- 
 ture, efpecially confidering the time and place where 
 he lived. 
 
 Page 122. 
 
 All the difcourfe from this place to the end of the 
 chapter may feem ftrange, but it is fuitable to what the 
 
392 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Author holds elfewhere ; for he maintains that it is 
 faith and infidelity that fhall judge us now fince the 
 Gofpel, and that no other fin or virtue hath any thing 
 to do with us ; if we believe, no fin fhall hurt us; if we 
 believe not, no virtue fhall help us. Therefore he 
 faith here, we mail not be punifhed for evil doing, nor 
 rewarded for well doing or living, for all the point lies 
 in believing or not believing. And with this expofition 
 the Chapter is clear enough ; but the truth of the 
 doctrine would be examined, however it may pafs for 
 his opinion, in the Church of God there is one funda- 
 mental, but elfe variety. The Author's good meaning 
 in this will better appear by his 98th Confideration of 
 faith and good works. 
 
 Page 155. 
 
 He meaneth (I fuppofe) that a man prefume not to 
 merit, that is, to oblige God, or juftify himfelf before 
 God, by any acts or exercifes of Religion ; but that he 
 ought to pray God affectionately and fervently, to fend 
 him the light of his Spirit, which may be unto him as 
 the Sun to a traveller in his journey; he in the mean- 
 while applying himfelf to the unqueftioned duties of 
 true piety and fincere Religion, fuch as are Prayer, 
 Faffing, Alms-deeds, &c. after the example of devout 
 Cornelius. Or thus : There are two forts of a£ts in 
 religion, a£ts of humiliation and acts of confidence and 
 joy: the perfon here defcribed to be in the dark ought 
 to ufe the firft, and to forbear the fecond. Of the firft 
 fort are repentance, prayers, fading, alms, mortifica- 
 tions, &c. ; of the fecond, receiving of the Communion, 
 praifes, Pfalms, &c. Thefe in divers cafes ought, and 
 were of old forborne for a time. 
 
notes to the divine considerations. 393 
 Page 174. 
 
 In indifferent things there is room for motions, and 
 expecting of them ; but in things good, as to relieve 
 my neighbour, God hath already revealed his will 
 about it ; therefore we ought to proceed, except there 
 be a reftraining motion, (as St. Paul had) when he 
 would have preached in Afia. And I conceive that 
 reftraining motions are much more frequent to the 
 godly than inviting motions, becaufe the Scripture in- 
 vites enough, for it invites us to all good. According 
 to that fingular place, Phil. iv. 8, a man is to embrace 
 all good ; but becaufe he cannot do all, God often 
 choofeth which he mail do, and that by reftraining 
 him from what he would not have him do. 
 
 Page 177. 
 
 This doctrine, howfoever it is true in fubftance, 
 yet it requireth difcreet and wary explaining. 
 
 Page 199. 
 
 By renouncing the help of human learning in the 
 ftudying to underftand holy Scripture, he meaneth that 
 we mould not ufe it as the only or as the principal 
 means, becaufe the anointing which we have received 
 and abideth in us teacheth us. 1 John ii. 27. 
 
 Page 217. 
 
 This Chapter is confiderable. The intent of it, 
 that the world pierceth not only godly men's actions 
 no more than God's, is in fome fort true, becaufe they 
 are fpiritually difcerned ; 1 Cor. ii. 14. So likewife 
 are the godly in fome fort exempt from laws, for the 
 
394 HERBERTS PROSE WORKS. 
 
 law is not made for a righteous man ; I Tim. i. 9. 
 But when he enlargeth he goes too far : for firft, con- 
 cerning Abraham and Sarah, I ever took that for a 
 weaknefs in the great Patriarch, and that the beft of 
 God's fervants mould have weakneffes, is no way 
 repugnant to the way of God's Spirit in them, or to 
 the Scriptures, or to themfelves, being (till men, though 
 godly men. Nay, they are purpofely recorded in Holy 
 Writ. Wherefore, as David's adultery cannot be ex- 
 cufed, fo need not Abraham's equivocation, nor Paul's 
 neither, when he profefTed himfelf a Pharifee, which 
 ftrictly he was not, though in the point of Refurreftion 
 he agreed with them and they with him. The reviling 
 alfo of Ananias feems by his own recalling, an over- 
 fight ; yet I remember the Fathers forbid us to judge 
 of the doubtful actions of Saints in Scripture, which is a 
 modeft admonition. But it is one thing not to judge, 
 another to defend them. Secondly, when he ufeth the 
 word jurifdiction, allowing no jurifdiction over the 
 godly, this cannot ftand, and it is ill doctrine in a 
 Commonwealth. The godly are punifhable as others 
 when they do amifs, and they are to be judged accord- 
 ing to the outward fa£t, unlefs it be evident to others 
 as well as to themfelves that God moved them ; for 
 otherwife any malefactor may pretend motions which 
 is infufferable in a Commonwealth. Neither do I 
 doubt but if Abraham had lived in our kingdom under 
 government, and had killed his fon Ifaac, but he might 
 juftly have been put to death for it by the Magiftrate, 
 unlefs he could have made it appear that it was done 
 by God's immediate precept. He had done juftly, and 
 yet had been punifhed juftly, that is, In humano foro, 
 &c. fecundum praefumptionem legalem : according to 
 the common and legal proceedings among men. So 
 may a war be juft on both fides, and was juft in the 
 Canaanites and Ifraelites both. How the godly are 
 
NOTES TO THE DIVINE CONSIDERATIONS. 395 
 
 exempt from laws is a known point among Divines ; 
 but when he fays they are equally exempt with God, 
 that is dangerous and too for. The beft falve for the- 
 whole Chapter is to diftinguifh judgment. There is a 
 udgment of authority (upon a fact), and there is a 
 judgment of the learned ; for as a Magiftrate judgeth 
 in his tribunal, So a Scholar judgeth in his ftudy, and 
 cenfureth this or that ; whence come fo many books 
 of feveral men's opinions : perhaps he meant all of this 
 latter, not of the former. Worldly learned men can- 
 not judge fpiritual men's actions ; but the magiftrate 
 may, and furely this the Author meant by the word 
 Jurisdiction, for fo he ufeth the fame word in Con- 
 iideration 68 ad finem. 
 
 Page 220. 
 
 The Author doth ftill difcover too flight a regard of 
 the Scripture, as if it were but children's meat, whereas 
 there is not only milk there, but ftrong meat alfo, Heb. 
 v. 14; things hard to be underftood, 2 Pet. iii. 16; things 
 needing great confideration, Matt. xxiv. 15. Befides, he 
 oppofeth the teaching of the Spirit to the teaching of 
 Scripture which the Holy Spirit wrote. Although the 
 Holy Spirit apply the Scripture, yet what the Scripture 
 teacheth the Spirit teacheth ; the Holy Spirit, indeed, 
 fome time doubly teaching, both in penning and in ap- 
 plying. I wonder how this opinion could befall fo good 
 a man as it feems Valdeflb was, fince the Saints of God 
 in all ages have ever held in fo precious efteem the 
 word of God, as their joy and crown, and their treafure 
 on earth. Yet his own practice feems to confute his 
 opinion ; for the moft of his Confiderations, being 
 grounded upon fome text of Scripture, mows that he 
 was continually converfant in it, and not ufed it for a 
 time only, and then caft it away, as he fays, ftrangely. 
 
396 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 There is no more to be faid of this chapter, efpecially of 
 the fifth thing in it, but that this his opinion of the 
 Scripture is infufferable. As for the text of St. Peter, 
 2 Pet. i. 19, which he makes the ground of this Con- 
 fideration, building it all upon the word, "Until the day- 
 ftar arife j" it is nothing. How many places do the fathers 
 bring about "until" againft the Heretics who difputed 
 againft the virginity of the Bleffed Virgin, out of the 
 text, Matt. i. 25 ; where it is faid, Jofeph knew her not 
 "until" {he had brought forth her firftborn fon,as if after- 
 wards he had known her; and indeed, in common fenfe, 
 if I bid a man ftay in a place until I come, I do not then 
 bid him go away, but rather ftay longer, that I may 
 fpeak with him or do fomething elfe when I come. So 
 St. Peter bidding the difperfed Hebrews attend to the 
 word till the day dawn, doth not bid them then caft 
 away the word, or leave it off; but, however, he would 
 have them attend to it till that time, and then afterward 
 they will of themfelves attend it without his exhortation. 
 Nay, it is obfervable that in that very place he prefers 
 the word before the fight of the tranffiguration of Chrift. 
 So that the word hath the precedence even of Revela- 
 tion and Virions. 
 
 Page 239. 
 
 Divines hold that juftifying faith and the faith of 
 miracles are divers gifts, and of a different nature ; the 
 one being gratia gratis data^ the other gratia gratum 
 faciens^ this being given only to the godly, and the 
 other fometimes to the wicked : yet doubtlefs the beft 
 faith in us is defective, and arrives not to the point it 
 fhould, which if it did, it would do more than it does. 
 And miracle-working, as it may be fevered from juftify- 
 ing faith, fo it may be a fruit of it, and an exaltation. 
 1 John v. 14. 
 
notes to the divine considerations. 397 
 
 Page 247. 
 
 Though this were the Author's opinion, yet the truth 
 of it would be examined. The 98th Confideration, 
 about being juftified by faith or by good works, or con- 
 demned for unbelief or evil works, make plain the 
 Author's meaning. 
 
 Page 270. 
 
 By the Saints of the world he everywhere underftands 
 the cunning hypocrite, who by the world is counted a 
 very faint for his outward mow of holinefs ; and we 
 meet with two forts of thefe faints of the world : one 
 whofe holinefs confifts in a few ceremonies and fuper- 
 ftitious obfervations ; the others in a zeal againft thefe, 
 and in a ftricT: performance of a few cheap and eafy 
 duties of religion with no lefs fuperftition.; both of them 
 having forms or vizors of godlinefs, but denying the 
 power thereof. 
 
 Page 354. 
 
 Though this be the Author's opinion, yet the truth of 
 it would be examined. The 98th Confideration, about 
 being juftified by faith or by good works, or condemned 
 for unbelief or evil works, make plain the Author's 
 meaning. 
 
 By Hebrew piety he meaneth not the very Ceremonies 
 of the Jews, which no Chriftian obferves now, but an 
 analogate observation of Ecclefiaftical and Canonical 
 laws fuperinduced to the Scriptures, like to that of the 
 Jews, which they added to their divine Law; this being 
 well weighed will make the Confideration eafy and very 
 obfervable : for at leaft fome of the Papifts are come 
 
398 Herbert's prose works 
 
 now to what the Pharifees were come to in our Saviour's 
 time. 
 
 Page 355. 
 
 This is true only of the Popifh Cafes of Conference, 
 which depend almoft wholly on their Canon law and 
 Decretals, knots of their own tying and untying; but 
 there are other Cafes of Confcience, grounded on Piety 
 and Morality, and the difficulty of applying their general 
 rules to particular actions, which are a moft noble 
 ftudy. 
 
399 
 
 A Treatife of Temperance and 
 Sobriety. 
 
 [The following little tract was tranflated from the 
 Italian of Lud. Cornarus, which, together with the 
 Spanifh and French tongues, Herbert, as Walton 
 inform us, " had learnt to underftand very per- 
 fectly. " But his friend, Lord Bacon, has put the 
 " regimen of health" into the fmalleft fpace : "There 
 is a wifdom in this, beyond the Rules of Phyfic : 
 A man's own obfervation, which he finds good of, 
 and what he finds hurt of, is the beft phyfic to pre- 
 ferve health." — Essays, xxx.] 
 
 HAVING obferved in my time many of my friends, 
 of excellent wit and noble difpofition, overthrown 
 and undone by Intemperance ; who, if they had lived, 
 would have been an ornament to the world, and a 
 comfort to their friends ; I thought fit to difcover in a 
 fhort Treatife, that Intemperance was not fuch an 
 evil, but it might eafily be remedied ; which I under- 
 take the more willingly, becaufe divers worthy young 
 men have obliged me unto it. For when they faw 
 their parents and kindred fnatched away in the midft of 
 their days, and me, contrariwife, at the age of eighty 
 and one, ftrong and lufty; they had a great defire to 
 know the way of my life, and how I came to be fo. 
 Wherefore, that I may fatiffy their honeft defire, and 
 withal help many others, who will take this into con- 
 fideration, I will declare the caufes which moved me 
 to forfake Intemperance, and live a fober life, ex- 
 
400 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 prefling alfo the means which I have ufed therein. 
 I fay therefore, that the infirmities, which did not only 
 begin, but had already gone far in me, firft caufed me 
 to leave Intemperance, to which I was much addicted : 
 For by it, and my ill conftitution (having a moft cold 
 and moift ftomach), I fell into divers difeafes, to wit, 
 into the pain of the ftomach, and often of the fide, and 
 the beginning of the Gout, with almoft a continual 
 fever and thirft. 
 
 From this ill temper there remained little elfe to be 
 expected of me, than that after many troubles and 
 griefs I mould quickly come to an end ; whereas my 
 life feemed as far from it by Nature, as it was near it 
 by Intemperance. When therefore I was thus afflicted 
 from the thirty-fifth year of my age to the fortieth, 
 having tried all remedies fruitleffly, the Phyficians told 
 me that yet there was one help for me, if I could con- 
 ftantly purfue it, to wit, A fober and orderly life : for 
 this had every way great force for the recovering and 
 preferving of Health, as a diforderly life to the over- 
 throwing of it ; as I too well by experience found. 
 For temperance preferves even old men and fickly men 
 found : But Intemperance deftroys moft healthy and 
 fiourifhing conftitutions : For contrary caufes have 
 contrary effects, and the faults of Nature are often 
 amended by Art, as barren grounds are made fruitful 
 by good hufbandry. They added withal, that unlefs 
 I fpeedily ufed that remedy, within a few months I 
 fhould be driven to that exigent, that there would be 
 no help for me, but Death fhortly to be expected. 
 
 Upon this, weighing their reafons with myfelf, and 
 abhorring from fo fudden an end, and finding myfelf 
 continually oppreffed with pain and ficknefs, I grew 
 fully perfuaded, that all my griefs arofe out of Intem- 
 perance : and therefore out of a hope of avoiding death 
 and pain, I refolved to live a temperate life. 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY 40 1 
 
 Whereupon, being directed by them in the way I 
 ought to hold, I underftood, that the food I was to 
 life, was fuch as belonged to ficlcly conftitutions, and 
 that in a fmall quantity. This they had told me be- 
 fore : But I, then not liking that kind of Diet, fol- 
 lowed my Appetite, and did eat meats pleafing to my 
 tafte ; and when I felt inward heats, drank delightful 
 wines, and that in great quantity ; telling my Phyficians 
 nothing thereof, as is the cuftom of fick people. But 
 after I had refolved to follow Temperance and Reafon, 
 and faw that it was no hard thing to do fo, but the 
 proper duty of man ; I fo addicted myfelf to this 
 courfe of life, that I never went a foot out of the way. 
 Upon this, I found within a few days, that I was ex- 
 ceedingly helped, and by continuance thereof, within 
 lefs than one year (although it may feem to fome in- 
 credible), I was perfectly cured of all my infirmities. 
 
 Being now found and well, I began to confider the 
 force of Temperance, and to think thus with myfelf: 
 If Temperance had fo much power as to bring me 
 health : how much more to prefcrve it ! Wherefore 
 I began to fearch out moft diligently what meats were 
 agreeable unto me, and what difagreeable : and I 
 purpofed to try, whether thofe that pleafed my tafte 
 brought me commodity or difcommodity ; and whether 
 that Proverb, wherewith Gluttons ufed to defend 
 themfelves, to wit, That which favours is good and 
 nourifheth, be confonant to truth. This upon trial I 
 found mod falfe : for ftrong and very cool wines pleafed 
 my tafte beft, as alfo melons, and other fruit - y in like 
 manner, raw lettuce, fifh, pork, faufages, pulfe, and 
 cake and piecruft, and the like : and yet all thefe I 
 found hurtful. 
 
 Therefore trufting on experience, I forfook all thefe 
 kind of meats and drinks, and chofe that wine that fitted 
 myftomach, and in fuch meafure as eafily might be di- 
 
 D D 
 
402 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 gefted : above all, taking care never to rife with a full 
 ftomach, but fo as I might well both eat and drink 
 more. By this means, within lefs than a year I was 
 not only freed from all thofe evils which had fo long 
 befet me, and were almoft become incurable ; but alfo 
 afterwards I fell not into that yearly difeafe, where- 
 into I was wont, when I pleafed my Senfe and Ap- 
 petite. Which benefits alfo ftill continue, becaufe from 
 the time that I was made whole, I never fince departed 
 from my fettled courfe of Sobriety, whofe admirable 
 power caufeth that the meat and drink that is taken 
 in fit meafure, gives true ftrength to the body, all 
 fuperfluities pafling away without difficulty, and no ill 
 humours being engendered in the body. 
 
 Yet with this diet I avoided other hurtful things 
 alfo, as too much heat and cold, wearinefs, watching, 
 ill air, overmuch ufe of the benefit of marriage. For 
 although the power of health confifts moft in the pro- 
 portion of meat and drink, yet thefe forenamed things 
 have alfo their force. I preferved me alfo, as much as 
 I could, from hatred and melancholy, and other pur- 
 turbations of the mind, which have a great power over 
 our conftitutions. Yet could I not fo avoid all thefe, 
 but that now and then I fell into them, which gained me 
 this experience, that I perceived that they had no great 
 power to hurt thofe bodies which were kept in good 
 order by a moderate Diet : So that I can truly fay, 
 That they who in thefe two things that enter in at the 
 mouth keep a fit proportion, mall receive little hurt 
 from other exceffes. 
 
 This Galen confirms, when he fays, that immoderate 
 heats and colds, and winds and labours, did little hurt 
 him, becaufe in his meats and drinks he kept a due 
 moderation, and therefore never was fick by any of 
 thefe inconveniences, except it were for one only day. 
 But mine own experience confirmeth this more as all 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 403 
 
 that know me can teftify : For having endured many- 
 heats and colds, and other like difcommodities of the 
 body and troubles of the mind, all thefe did hurt me 
 little, whereas they hurt them very much who live in- 
 temperately. For when my brother and others of my 
 kindred faw fome great powerful men pick quarrels 
 againft me, fearing left I mould be overthrown, they 
 were poffefTed with a deep Melancholy (a thing ufual 
 to diforderly lives), which increafed fo much in them, 
 that it brought them to a fudden end ; but I, whom 
 that matter ought to have affected moft, received no 
 inconvenience thereby, becaufe that humour abounded 
 not in me. 
 
 Nay, I began to perfuade myfelf, that this fuit and 
 contention was raifed by the Divine Providence, that 
 I might know what great power a fober and temperate 
 life hath over our bodies and minds, and that at length 
 I mould be a conqueror, as alfo a little after it came 
 to pafs : For in the end I got the victory, to my great 
 honour and no lefs profit, whereupon alfo I joyed ex- 
 ceedingly, which excefs of joy neither could do me 
 any hurt : By which it is manifeft, That neither me- 
 lancholy nor any other paflion can hurt a temperate life. 
 
 Moreover, I fay, that even bruifes, and fquats, and 
 falls, which often kill others, can bring little grief or 
 hurt to thofe that are temperate. This I found by 
 experience when I was feventy years old ; for riding 
 in a coach in a great hafte, it happened that the coach 
 was overturned, and then was dragged for a good fpace 
 by the fury of the horfes, whereby my head and whole 
 body was fore hurt, and alfo one of my arms and legs 
 put out of joint. Being carried home, when the Phy- 
 ficians faw in what cafe I was, they concluded that I 
 would die within three days ; neverthelefs, at a ven- 
 ture, two remedies might be ufed, letting of blood and 
 purging, that the ftore of humours and inflammation 
 D D 2 
 
4O4 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 and fever (which was certainly expected) might be 
 hindered. 
 
 But, I, confidering what an orderly life I had led for 
 many years together, which muft needs fo temper the 
 humours of the body, that they could not be much 
 troubled, or make a great concourfe, refufed both 
 remedies, and only commanded that my arm and leg 
 mould be fet, and my whole body anointed with oil ; 
 and fo without other remedy or inconvenience I re- 
 covered, which feemed as a miracle to the Phyficians ; 
 whence I conclude, that they that live a temperate 
 life can receive little hurt from other inconveniences. 
 
 But my experience taught me another thing alfo, to 
 wit, than an orderly and regular life can hardly be 
 altered without exceeding great danger. 
 
 About four years fince, I was led, by the advice of 
 Phyficians, and the daily importunity of my friends, 
 to add fomething to my ufual ftint and meafure. Di- 
 vers reafons they brought, as that old age could not 
 be fuftained with fo little meat and drink ; which yet 
 needs not only to be fuftained, but alfo to gather ftrength, 
 which could not be but by meat and drink. On the 
 other fide, I argued that Nature was contented with 
 a little, and that I had for many years continued in 
 good health with that little meafure ; that Cuftom was 
 turned into Nature, and therefore it was agreeable to 
 reafon, that my years increafing and ftrength decreafing, 
 my ftint of meat and drink fhould be diminifhed rather 
 than increafed, that the patient might be proportionable 
 to the agent, and efpecially fince the power of my 
 ftomach every day decreafed. To this agreed two Ita- 
 lian Proverbs, the one whereof was, * He that will eat 
 much, let him eat little \ becaufe by eating little he 
 
 * Mangiera pi"U chi manco mangia. Ed e' eontrario, 
 Chi piu mangia, manco mangia. II fenlb e 
 Poco vive chi troppo iparechia. 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 405 
 
 prolongs his life. The other Proverb was, *The meat 
 which remaineth profits more than that which is eaten ; 
 by which is intimated, that the hurt of too much meat 
 is greater than the commodity of meat taken in a mo- 
 derate proportion. 
 
 But all thefe things could not defend me againft 
 their importunities. Therefore to avoid obftinacy and 
 gratify my friends, at length I yielded, and permitted 
 the quantity of meat to be increafed, yet but two ounces 
 only ; for whereas before, the meafure of my whole 
 day's meat, viz. of my bread, and eggs, and flefh, and 
 broth, was twelve ounces exactly weighed, I increafed 
 it to the quantity of two ounces more ; and the mea- 
 fure of my drink, which before was fourteen ounces, I 
 made now fixteen. 
 
 This addition, after ten days, wrought fo much upon 
 me, that of a cheerful and merry man I became me- 
 lancholy and choleric, fo that all things were trouble- 
 fome to me ; neither did I know well what I did or 
 laid. On the twelfth day, a pain of the fide took me, 
 which held me two and twenty hours. Upon the neck 
 of it came a terrible fever, which continued thirty-five 
 days and nights, although after the fifteenth day it 
 grew lefs and lefs ; befides all this I could not lleep, 
 no, not a quarter of an hour, whereupon all gave me 
 up for dead. 
 
 Neverthelefs, I, by the grace of God, cured myfelf 
 only with returning to my former courfe of Diet, al- 
 though I was now feventy-eight years old, and my 
 body fpent with extreme leannefs, and the feafon of 
 the year was winter, and moft cold air ; and I am con- 
 fident that, under God, nothing holp me, but that 
 exacT: rule which I had fo long continued ; in all which 
 
 * Fa pin pro quel' che fi lafcia fill' tondo, che 
 Qjjel' che fi mette nel ventre. 
 
406 HERBERT PROSE WORKS. 
 
 time I felt no grief, fave now and then a little indifpo- 
 fition for a day or two. 
 
 For the Temperance of fo many years fpent all ill 
 humours, and fuffered not any new of that kind to 
 arife, neither the good humours to be corrupted or 
 contract any ill quality, as ufually happens in old men's 
 bodies, which live without rule ; for there is no malig- 
 nity of old age in the humours of my body, which 
 commonly kills men, and that new one which I con- 
 tracted by breaking my diet, although it was a fore 
 evil, yet had no power to kill me. 
 
 By this it may clearly be perceived how great is the 
 power of order and diforder ; whereof the one kept me 
 well for many years, the other, though it was but a 
 little excefs, in a few days had fo foon overthrown me. 
 If the world confift of order, if our corporal life depend 
 on the harmony of humours and elements, it is no 
 wonder that order mould preferve, and diforder deftroy. 
 Order makes arts eafy, and armies victorious, and re- 
 tains and confirms kingdoms, cities, and families in 
 peace. Whence I conclude, That an orderly life is 
 the moft fure way and ground of health and long days, 
 and the true and only medicine of many difeafes. 
 
 Neither can any man deny this who will narrowly 
 confider it. Hence it comes, that a Phyfician, when 
 he cometh to vifit his patient, prefcribes this Phyfic 
 firft, that he ufe a moderate diet ; and when he hath 
 cured him commends this alfo to him, if he will live 
 in health. Neither is it to be doubted, but that he 
 fhall ever after live free from difeafes, if he will keep 
 fuch a courfe of life ; becaufe this will cut off all caufes 
 of difeafes, fo that he fhall need neither Phyfic nor 
 Phyfician : yea, if he will give his mind to thofe things 
 which he mould, he will prove himfelf a Phyfician, 
 and that a very complete one ; for indeed no man can be a 
 perfect Phyfician to another, but to himfelf only. The 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 4O7 
 
 reafon whereof is this : Every one by long experience 
 may know the qualities of his own nature, and what 
 hidden properties it hath, what meat and drink agrees 
 beft with it , which things ill others cannot be known 
 without fuch obfervation as is not eafily to be made 
 upon others, efpecially fince there is a greater diverfity 
 of tempers than of faces. Who would believe that 
 old wine fhould hurt my ftomach, and new mould 
 help it, or that cinnamon mould heat me more than 
 pepper ? What Phyfician could have difcovered thefe 
 hidden qualities to me, if I had not found them out by 
 long experience ? Wherefore one to another cannot 
 be a perfect Phyfician. Whereupon I conclude, fince 
 none can have a better Phyfician than himfelf, nor 
 better Phyfic than a Temperate life, Temperance by 
 all means is to be embraced. 
 
 Neverthelefs, I deny not but that Phyficians are 
 neceflary, and greatly to be efteemed for the knowing 
 and curing of difeafes, into which they often fall who 
 live diforderly: For if a friend who vifits thee in thy 
 ficknefs, and only comforts and condoles, doth perform 
 an acceptable thing to thee, how much more dearly 
 mould a Phyfician be efteemed, who not only as a friend 
 doth vifit thee, but help thee ! 
 
 But that a man may preferve himfelf in health, I 
 advife, that inftead of a Phyfician a regular life is to be 
 embraced, which, as is manifeft by experience, is a 
 natural Phyfic moft agreeable to us, and alfo doth pre- 
 ferve even ill tempers in good health, and procure that 
 they prolong their life even to a hundred years and 
 more, and that at length they fhut up their days like a 
 Lamp, only by a pure confumption of the radical 
 moifture, without grief or perturbation of humours. 
 Many have thought that this could be done by Aurum 
 potabile, or the Philofopher's ftone, fought of many, and 
 
408 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 found of few; but furely there is no fuch matter, if 
 Temperance be wanting. 
 
 But fenfual men (as moft are), defiring to fatiffy their 
 Appetite and pamper their belly, although they fee them- 
 felves ill handled by their intemperance, yet fhun a fober 
 life ; becaufe, they fay, It is better to pleafe the Appetite 
 (though they live ten years lefs than otherwife they 
 mould do) than always to live under bit and bridle. But 
 they confider not of how great moment ten years are in 
 mature age, wherein wifdom and all kind of virtues is 
 moft vigorous ; which, but in that age, can hardly be 
 perfected. And that I may fay nothing of other things, 
 are not almoft all the learned books that we have, 
 written by their Authors in that age, and thofe ten 
 years which they fet at nought in regard of their 
 belly ? 
 
 B elides, thefe Belly-gods fay, that an orderly life is fo 
 hard a thing that it cannot be kept. To this I anfwer, 
 that Galen kept it, and held it for the beft Phyfic ; fo 
 did Plato alfo, and Ifocrates, and Tully, and many others 
 of the Ancients ; and in our age, Paul the Third, and 
 Cardinal Bembo, who therefore lived fo long ; and 
 among our Dukes, Laudus and Donatus, and many 
 others of inferior condition, not only in the city, but alfo 
 in villages and hamlets. 
 
 Wherefore, fince many have obferved a regular life, 
 both of old times and later years, it is no fuch thing 
 which may not be performed ; efpecially fince in ob- 
 ferving it there needs not many and curious things, but 
 only that a man mould begin, and by little and little 
 accuftom himfelf unto it. 
 
 Neither doth it hinder, that Plato fays, That they 
 who are employed in the commonwealth cannot live 
 regularly, becaufe they muft often endure heats, and 
 colds, and winds, and mowers, and divers labours, 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 409 
 
 which fuit not with an orderly life : For I anfwer, 
 That thofe inconveniences are of no great moment 
 (as I mowed before) if a man be temperate in meat 
 and drink, which is both eafy for commonweal's men, 
 and very convenient, both that they may preferve them- 
 felves from difeafes, which hinder public employment ; 
 a9 alfo that their mind, in all things wherein they deal, 
 may be more lively and vigorous. 
 
 But fome may fay, He which lives a regular life, eat- 
 ing always light meats and in a little quantity, what diet 
 fhall he ufe in difeafes, which being in health he hath 
 anticipated ? I anfwer firft, Nature, which endeavours 
 to preferve a man as much as fhe can, teacheth us how 
 to govern ourfelves in ficknefs : For fuddenly it takes 
 away our appetite, fo that we can eat but a very little, 
 wherewith fhe is very well contented : So that a fick 
 man, whether he hath lived heretofore orderly or dif- 
 orderly, when he is fick, ought not to eat but fuch meats 
 as are agreeable to his difeafe, and that in much fmaller 
 quantity than when he was well. For if he mould keep 
 his former proportion, Nature, which is already bur- 
 dened with a difeafe, would be wholly opprelTed. 
 Secondly, I anfwer better, that he which lives a tem- 
 perate life, cannot fall into difeafes, and but very feldom 
 into indifpofitions, becaufe Temperance takes away the 
 caufes of difeafes ; and the caufe being taken away, there 
 is no place for the effect. 
 
 Wherefore, fince an orderly life is fo profitable, (o 
 virtuous, fo decent, and fo holy, it is worthy by all means 
 to be embraced ; efpecially fince it is eafy and moll: 
 agreeable to the nature of Man. No man that follows 
 it, is bound to eat and drink fo little as I : No man is 
 forbidden to eat fruit or fifh, which I eat not : For I 
 eat little, becaufe a little fufficeth my weak ftomach ; 
 and I abftain from fruit and fifh, and the like, becaufe 
 they hurt me. But they who find benefit in thefe meats 
 
410 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 may, yea ought to ufe them -, yet all muft needs take 
 heed left they take a greater quantity of any meat or 
 drink (though moft agreeable to them) than their 
 ftomach can eafily digeft : So that he which is offended 
 with no kind of meat and drink, hath the quantity, and 
 not the quality for his rule, which is very eafy to be 
 obferved. 
 
 Let no man here objecT: unto me, That there are 
 many, who though they live diforderly, yet continue in 
 health to their lives' end : Becaufe fince this is at the 
 beft but uncertain, dangerous, and very rare, the 
 prefuming upon it ought not to lead us to a diforderly 
 life. 
 
 It is not the part of a wife man to expofe himfelf to 
 fo many dangers of difeafes and death, only upon a 
 hope of a happy iffue, which yet befalls very few. An 
 old man of an ill conftitution, but living orderly, is 
 more fure of his life than the moft ftrong young man 
 who lives diforderly. 
 
 But fome, too much given to Appetite, object, 
 That a long life is no fuch defirable thing, becaufe 
 that after one is once fixty-five years old, all the time 
 we live after is rather death than life : But thefe err 
 greatly, as I will fhow by myfelf, recounting the de- 
 lights and pleafures in this age of eighty-three, which 
 now I take, and which are fuch as that men generally 
 account me happy. 
 
 I am continually in health, and I am fo nimble, that 
 I can eafily get on horfeback without the advantage of 
 the ground, and fometimes I go up high ftairs and hills 
 on foot. Then, I am ever cheerful, merry, and well- 
 contented, free from all troubles and troublefome 
 thoughts ; in whofe place joy and peace have taken up 
 their ftanding in my heart. I am not weary of life, 
 which I pafs with great delight. I confer often with 
 worthy men, excelling in wit, learning, behaviour, and 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 41 I 
 
 other virtues. When I cannot have their company, 
 I give myfelf to the reading of fome learned book, and 
 afterwards to writing ; making it my aim in all things, 
 how I may help others to the furtheft of my power. 
 
 All thefe things I do at my eafe, and at fit feafons, 
 and in mine own houfes ; which, befides that they are 
 in the faireft place of this learned City of Padua, are 
 very beautiful and convenient above moft in this age, 
 being fo built by me according to the rules of Archi- 
 tecture, that they are cool in fummer, and warm in 
 winter. 
 
 I enjoy alfo my gardens, and thofe divers, parted 
 with rills of running water, which truly is very de- 
 lightful. Some times of the year I enjoy the pleafure 
 of the Euganean hills, where alfo I have fountains and 
 gardens, and a verv convenient houfe. At other times, 
 I repair to a village of mine, feated in the valley ; which 
 is therefore very pleafant, becaufe many ways thither 
 are fo ordered, that they all meet, and end in a fair 
 plot of ground ; in the midft whereof is a Church fuit- 
 able to the condition of the place. This place is 
 warned with the river of Brenta ; on both fides where- 
 of are great and fruitful fields, well manured and 
 adorned with many habitations. In former time it was 
 not fo, becaufe the place was mooriih and unhealthy, 
 fitter for beafts than men. But I drained the ground, 
 and made the air good : Whereupon men flocked thi- 
 ther, and built houfes with happy fuccefs. By this 
 means the place is come to that perfection we now 
 fee it is ; So that I can truly fay, That I have both 
 given God a Temple, and men to worfhip him in it : 
 The memory whereof is exceeding delightful to me. 
 
 Sometimes I ride to fome of the neighbour cities, 
 that I may enjoy the fight and the communication of 
 my friends, as alfo of excellent Artificers in architec- 
 ture, painting, ftone-cutting, mufic, and hufbandry, 
 
412 Herbert's prose works. 
 
 whereof in this age there is great plenty. I view their 
 pieces, I compare them with thofe of Antiquity : And 
 ever I learn fomewhat which is worthy of my know- 
 ledge : I furvey palaces, gardens, and antiquities, pub- 
 lic fabrics, temples, and fortifications ; neither omit I 
 any thing that may either teach or delight me. I am 
 much pleafed alfo in my travels, with the beauty of 
 fituation. Neither is this my pleafure made lefs by 
 the decaying dulnefs of my fenfes, which are all in 
 their perfect vigour, but efpecially my Tafte ; fo that 
 any fimple fare is more favoury to me now, than here- 
 tofore, when I was given to diforder and all the de- 
 lights that could be. 
 
 To change my bed, troubles me not ; I fleep well 
 and quietly any where, and my dreams are fair and 
 pleafant. But this chiefly delights me, that my advice 
 hath taken effect in the reducing of many rude and 
 untoiled places in my country, to cultivation and good 
 hufbandry. I was one of thofe that was deputed for 
 the managing of that work, and abode in thofe fenny 
 places two whole months in the heat of fummer, 
 (which in Italy is very great) receiving not any hurt 
 or inconvenience thereby : So great is the power and 
 efficacy of that Temperance which ever accompanied 
 me. 
 
 Thefe are the delights and folaces of my old age, 
 which is altogether to be preferred before other's 
 youth : Becaufe that by temperance and the Grace of 
 God I feel not thofe perturbations of body and mind, 
 wherewith infinite both young and old are afflicted. 
 
 Moreover, by this alfo, in what eftate I am, may 
 be difcovered, becaufe at thefe years (viz. eighty-three) 
 I have made a moft pleafant comedy, full of honeft 
 wit and merriment : which kind of Poems ufeth to be 
 the child of Youth, which it moft fuits withal for 
 variety and pleafantnefs ; as a Tragedy with old Age, 
 
OF TEMPERANCE AND SOBRIETY. 413 
 
 by rcafon of the (lid events which it contains. And if 
 a Greek poet of old was praifed, that at the age of 
 feventy- three years he writ a Tragedy, why fhould I 
 be accounted lefs happy, or lefs myfelf, who being ten 
 years older have made a Comedy ? 
 
 Now left there fhould be any delight wanting to my 
 old age, I daily behold a kind of immortality in the 
 fucceflion of my pofterity. For when I come home, 
 I find eleven grand children of mine, all the fons of 
 one father and mother, all in perfect health ; all as far 
 as I can conjecture, very apt and well given both for 
 learning and behaviour. I am delighted with their 
 mufic and fafhion, and I myfelf alfo fing often ; be- 
 caufe I have now a clearer voice, than ever I had in 
 my life. 
 
 By which it is evident, that the life which I live at 
 this age, is not a dead, dumpifh, and four life; but 
 cheerful, lively, and pleafant : Neither if I had my 
 wifli, would I change age and conftitution with them 
 who follow their youthful appetites, although they be 
 of a moft ftrong temper : Becaufe fuch are daily ex- 
 pofed to a thoufand dangers and deaths, as daily ex- 
 perience fhoweth, and I alfo, when I was a young 
 man, too well found. I know how inconfiderate that 
 age is, and, though fubjecT: to death, yet continually 
 afraid of it : for death to all young men is a terrible 
 thing, as alfo to thofe that live in fin, and follow their 
 appetites ; whereas I by the experience of fo many 
 years have learned to give way to Reafon : whence it 
 feems to me, not only a fhameful thing to fear that 
 which cannot be avoided ; but alfo I hope, when I 
 mail come to that point, I fhall find no little comfort 
 in the favour of Jefus Chrift. Yet I am fure that my 
 end is far from me : for I know that (fetting cafualties 
 afide) I fhall not die but by a pure refolution : becaufe 
 that by the regularity of my life I have fhut out death 
 
414 HERBERT S PROSE WORKS. 
 
 all other ways ; and that is a fair and defirable death, 
 which Nature brings by way of refolution, 
 
 Since, therefore, a temperate life is fo happy and 
 pleafant a thing ; what remains, but that I mould 
 wifli all who have the care of themfelves, to embrace 
 it with open arms ? 
 
 Many things more might be faid in commendation 
 hereof: but left in any thing I forfake that Temper- 
 ance which I have found fo good, I here make an end. 
 
LATIN AND GREEK POEMS. 
 
 PARENTALIA. 
 
 Auctore G. HERBERT. 
 
 Memoriae Matris Sacrum. 
 
 [The following verfes were printed at the end of 
 the Sermon which Donne preached at Chelfea in 1627, 
 in memory of Herbert's mother, of whofe tender watch- 
 fulnefs his life makes mention : " And this great care 
 of hers," writes Barnabas Oley, " this good fon of 
 hers ftudied to improve and requite, as is feen in thofe 
 many Latin and Greek verfes, the obfequious Paren- 
 talia he made and printed in her memory ; which 
 though they be good, very good, yet (to fpeak freely 
 even of this man whom I fo much honour), they be 
 dull, or dead in comparifon of his Temple Poems, and no 
 marvel. To write thofe, he made his ink with water of 
 Helicon ; but thefe Infpirations prophetical were dif- 
 tilled from above : in thofe are weak motions of Na- 
 ture, in thefe raptures of Grace." — B. Oley, 1652.] 
 
 AH Mater, quo te deplorem fonte ? Dolores 
 Quae guttae poterunt enumerare meos ? 
 Sicca meis lacrymis Thamefis vicina videtur, 
 Virtutumque choro ficcior ipfe tuo. 
 
416 Herbert's poems. 
 
 In flumen moerore nigrum fi funderer ardens, 
 Laudibus haud fierem fepia jufta tuis. 
 
 Tantum iftaec fcribo gratus> ne tu mihi tantum 
 Mater : et ifta Dolor nunc tibi Metra parit. 
 
 CORNELIA fanctae, graves Sempronias, 
 Et quicquid ufpiam eft feverae fceminae, 
 Conferte lacrymas : Ilia, quae vos mifcuit 
 Veftraque laudes, pofcit et mixtas genas. 
 Namque hanc ruinam falva Gravitas defleat, 
 Pudorque conftet vel folutis crinibus ; 
 Quandoque vultus fola majeftas, Dolor. 
 
 Decus mulierum periit : et metuunt viri 
 Utrumque fexum dote ne mul&averit. 
 Non ilia foles terere comptu lubricos, 
 Struices fuperbas atque turritum caput 
 Molita, reliquum deinde garriens diem, 
 (Nam poft Babelem linguae adeft confufio,) 
 Quin poft modeftam, qualis integras decet, 
 SubftrucTiionem capitis et nimbum brevem, 
 Animam recentem rite curavit facris, 
 Adorta numen acri et ignea prece. 
 
 Dein familiam luftrat, et res prandii, 
 Horti, colique diftributim penfitat. 
 Suum cuique tempus et locus datur. 
 Inde exiguntur penfa crudo vefpere. 
 Ratione certa vita conftat et domus, 
 Prudenter inito quot-diebus calculo. 
 Tota renident aede decus et fuavitas 
 Animo renidentes prius. Sin rarior 
 Magnatis appulfu extulit fe occafio, 
 Surrexit una et ilia, fefeque extulit : 
 Occafione certat imo et obtinet. 
 Proh ? quantus imber. ouanta labri comitas, 
 
PARENTALIA. 417 
 
 Lepos feverus, Pallas mixta Gratiis ; 
 Loquitur numellas, compedes, et retia : 
 Aut fi negotio hora fumenda eft, rei 
 Per angiportus et maeandros labitur, 
 Ipfos Catones provocans oraculis. 
 Turn quanta tabulis artifex ? quae fcriptio ? 
 Bellum putamen, nucleus belliftlmus 
 Sentential cum voce mire convenit. 
 Volant per orbem literae notiflimae : 
 O blanda dextra, neutiquam iftoc pulveris, 
 Quo nunc recumbis, fcriptio merita eft tua, 
 Paitoli arena tibi tumulus eft unicus. 
 
 Adde his trientem Mufices, quae molliens 
 Mulcenfque dotes caeteras, vifa eft quafi 
 Caeleftis harmoniae breve praeludium. 
 Quam mira tandem Sublevatrix pauperum ? 
 Languentium baculus, teges jacentium, 
 Commune cordis palpitantis balfamum : 
 Benedi&iones publicae cingunt caput, 
 Caelique referunt et praeoccupant modum. 
 Fatifco, referens tanta quae numerant mei 
 Solum dolores, — et dolores, ftellulae ! 
 
 At tu qui inepte haec di£ta cenfes filio, 
 Nato parentis auferens Encomium, 
 Abito trunce cum tuis pudoribus. 
 Ergo ipfe folum mutus atque excors ero 
 Strepente mundo tinnulis praeconiis ? 
 Mihine Matris urna claufa eft unico, 
 Herbae exoletae, rof-marinus aridus ? 
 Matrine linguam refero folum ut mordeam r 
 Abito barde ! Quam pie iftic fum impudens ? 
 Tu vero mater perpetim laudabere 
 Nato dolenti : literae hoc debent tibi 
 Queis me educafti ; fponte chartas illinunt 
 Frudtum laborum confecutae maximum 
 Laudando Matrem, cum repugnant infcii. 
 E E 
 
4*8 Herbert's poems. 
 
 CUR fplendes, O Phoebe? ecquid demittere matrern 
 Ad nos cum radio tam rutilante potes ? 
 At fuperat caput ilia tuum, quantum ipfa cadaver 
 
 Mens fuperat ; corpus folum Elementa tenent. 
 Scilicet id fplendes : haec eft tibi caufa micandi 
 
 Et lucro apponis gaudia fancta tuo. 
 Verum heus fi nequeas ccelo demittere Matrem, 
 
 Sitque omnis motus nefcia 5 tanta quies, 
 Fac radios faltem ingemines, ut dextera tortos 
 
 Implicet, et Matrem, Matre manente, petam. 
 
 QUID nugor calamo favens ? 
 Mater perpetuis uvida gaudiis, 
 
 norto pro tenui colit 
 Edenem Boreas flatibus invium. 
 
 Quin cceli mihi funt mei, 
 Materni decus, et debita nominis, 
 
 Dumque his invigilo frequens 
 Stellarum focius, pellibus exuor. 
 
 Ouare Sphasram egomet meam 
 Connixus, digitis impiger urgeo : 
 
 Te, Mater, celebrans diu, 
 Noftu te celebrans luminis aamulo. 
 
 Per te nafcor in hunc globum, 
 Exemploque tuo nafcor in alterum : 
 
 Bis tu Mater eras mihi, 
 Ut currat paribus gloria tibiis. 
 
 HORTI, deliciae Dominae, marcefcite tandem ; 
 Ornaftis capulum, nee fuperefTe licet. 
 Ecce decus veftrum fpinis horrefcit, acuta 
 Cultricem revocans anxietate manum : 
 
PARENTALIA. 419 
 
 Terram et funus olent florcs : Dominaeque cadaver 
 
 Contiguas ftirpes afHat, eaeque rofas. 
 In terram violae capite inclinantur opaco, 
 
 Ouaeque domus Dominae fit, gravitate docent. 
 Ouare haud vos hortos, fed caemeteria dico, 
 
 Dum torus abfentem quifque reponit heram. 
 Euge, perite omnes ; nee pofthac exeat ulla 
 
 Ouaefitum Dominam gemma vel herba fuam. 
 Cuncta ad radices redeant, tumulofque paternos ; 
 
 (Nempe fepulcra Satis numen inempta dedit) 
 Occidite ; aut fane tantifper vivite, donee 
 
 Vefpere ros maeflis funus honeftct aquis. 
 
 GALENE fruftra es, cur miferum premens 
 Tot quaeftionum fluctibus obruis, 
 Arterias tracl:ans micantes 
 Corporeae fluidaeque molis ? 
 Aegroto mentis ? quam neque pixides 
 Nee tarda pofTunt pharmaca confequi, 
 Utrumque fi praederis Indum, 
 Ultra animus fpatiatur exlex. 
 Impos medendi, occidere fi potes, 
 Nee fie jvirentem ducar ad optimam : 
 Ni fandte, uti Mater, recedam, 
 Morte magis viduabor ilia. 
 Ouin cerne ut erres infcie, brachium 
 Tentando fanum : fi calet, aeftuans, 
 Ardore fcribendi calefcit, 
 Mater ineft faliente vena. 
 Si totus inrler, fi tumeam erepax, 
 Ne membra culpes, caufi animo lateL 
 Oui parturit laudes parentis : 
 Nee gravidis medicina tuta elt. 
 E E 2 
 
420 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Irregularis nunc habitus mihi eft : 
 Non exigatur crafis ad alterum. 
 
 Quod tu febrem cenfes, falubre eft 
 Atque animo medicatur unum, 
 
 PALLIDA materni Genii atque exanguis imago, 
 In nebulas fimilefque tui res gaudia numquia 
 iviutata ? et pro matre mihi phantafma dolofum 
 L'beraque aerea hifcentem fallentia natum ? 
 Vse nubi pluvia gravidas, non lacte, meafque 
 Ridenti lacrymas quibus unis concolor unda eft. 
 Quin fugias ? mea non fuerat tarn nubila Juno, 
 Tarn fegnis facies auroras nefcia vernae, 
 Tarn languens genitrix cineri fuppofta fugaci : 
 Verum augufta parens, fanctum os caeloque locandum. 
 Ouale paludofos jamjam liftura receffiis 
 Praetulit Aftraea, aut folio Themis alma vetufto 
 Penfilis^ atque acri dirimens Examine lites. 
 Hunc vultum oftendas, et tecum nobile fpectrum 
 Ouod fupereft vitae, infumam ; Solifque jugales 
 Ipfe tuae folum adnecl:am, fine murmure, thenfas. 
 Nee querar ingratos, ftudiis dum tabidus infto, 
 EffluxifTe dies, fufrbcatamve Minervam, 
 Aut fpes produ£tas, barbataque fomnia vertam 
 In vicium mundo fterili, cui cedo cometas 
 Ipfe fuos, tanquam digno, pallentiaque aftra. 
 
 Eft mihi bis quinis laqueata domuncula tignis 
 Rure ; brevifque hortus, cujus cum vellere Horum 
 Lucl:atur fpacium, quaiem tamen eligit aequi 
 Judicii dominus, flores ut jun6lius halent 
 Stipati, rudibufque volis irnpervius hortus 
 Sit quafi fafciculus crefcens, et nidus odorum. 
 Hie ego tuque erimus, variae fuffitibus herbae 
 Ouotidie pafti : tantum verum indue vultum 
 
PARENTALIA 4.2 I 
 
 Affe&ufque mci fimilem ; nee languida mifce 
 Ora meae memori menti : ne difpare cultu 
 Pugnaces, teneros florum turbemus odorcs, 
 Atque inter reliquos horti crefcentia foetus 
 Noftra etiam paribus marcefcant gaudia fatis. 
 
 PARVAM piamque dum lubenter femitam 
 Grandi reaeque praefero, 
 (Jarpfit malignum fydus hanc modeftiam, 
 
 Vinumque felle mifcuit. 
 Hinc fremere totus et minari geftio 
 
 Ipfis feverus orbibus, 
 Tandem prehensa comiter lacernula 
 
 Sufurrat aure quifpiam, 
 Haec fuerat olim potio Domini tui. 
 
 Gufto proboque Dolium. 
 
 HOC Genitrix, fcripium proles tibi fedula mittit. 
 Sifte parum cantus, dum legis ifta, tuos. 
 Node fui quid agant, quaedam eft quoque mufica fancHs 
 
 Ouaeque olim fuerat cura, manere poteft. 
 Nos mifere flemus, folefque obducimus almos 
 
 Occiduis, tanquam duplice nube, genis. 
 Interea claffem magnis Rex inftruit aufis : 
 
 Nos autem flemus : res ea fola tuis, 
 Ecce folutura eft, ventos caufata morantes : 
 
 Sin pluviam : fletus fuppeditaflet aquas. 
 Tillius incumbit Dano : Gallufque marinis : 
 
 Nos flendo : haec noftrum telTera fola ducum. 
 Sic aevum exigitur tardum, dum praepetis anni 
 
 Mille rotae nimiis impediuntur aquis. 
 
4^2 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Plura tibi miffurus eram (nam quae mihi laurus, 
 Quod nectar, nifi cum te celebrare diem ?) 
 
 Sed partem in fcriptis etiam dum lacryma pofcit, 
 Diluit oppofitas candidus humor aquas. 
 
 NEMPE hujufque notos tenebricofos, 
 Et maeftum nimio madore Cesium, 
 Tellurifque Britannicae falivam 
 Injufle fatis arguit viator. 
 At te commoriente, Magna Mater, 
 Recte, quern trahit, aerem repellit 
 Cum probro madidum, reumque difHat. 
 Nam te nunc Ager, Urbs, et Aula plorant : 
 Te nunc Anglia, Scotiaeque binae 
 Ouin te Cambria pervetufta deflet, 
 Deducens lacrymas prioris aevi 
 Ne ferae meritis tuis venirent. 
 Non eft angulus ufpiam ferenus, 
 Nee cingit mare, nunc inundat omnes. 
 
 1 \UM librata fuis haeret radicibus ilex 
 1 J Nefcia Vulturnis cedere, firma manet. 
 toit ubi crudelem fentit divifa fecurem, 
 
 Quo placet oblato, mortua fertur, hero : 
 Arbor et ipfe inverfa vocor : dumque infitus alm^e 
 
 Affideo Matri, robore vinco cedros. 
 Nunc forti pateo, expofitus fine matre procellis, 
 
 Lubricus, et fuperans mobilitate falum. 
 Tu radix, tu petra mihi firmiiTima, Mater 
 
 Ceu Polypus, chelis faxa prehendo tenax : 
 
PARENTALIA. 423 
 
 Non tibi nunc foli filum abrupere forores 
 
 Diffutus videor funere et ipfe tuo. 
 Unde vagans paflim recte vocer alter UlvfTes, 
 
 Alteraque haec tua mors, Uias efto mihi. 
 
 FACESSE Stoica plebs, obambulans cautes. 
 Exuta ftrato carnis, oflibus conftans, 
 lifque ficcis, adeo ut os MolofTorum 
 Haud glubat inde tres teruncios efcae. 
 Dolere prohibes ? aut dolere me gentis 
 Adeo inficetae, plumbeae, Medufese, 
 Ad faxa fpeciem retrahentis humanam, 
 Tantoque nequioris optima Pyrrha. 
 At forte matrem perdere haud foles demens : 
 Ouin nee potcs ; cui prsebuit Tigris partum. 
 Proinde parco belluis, nee irafcor. 
 
 Epitaphium. 
 
 HIC fita fceminei laus et victoria fexus : 
 Virgo pudens, uxor fida, fevera parens : 
 Magnatumque inopumque aequum certamen et ardor : 
 
 Nobilitate illos, hos pietate rapit. 
 Sic excelfa humilifque iimul loca diflita junxit, 
 Ouicquid habet tellus, quicquid et aftra, fruens. 
 
 iXf U X*7C avOevlg tpKog, a^avpbv TTV^vfiaroq 0770c 
 
 j^ TwSe TTapa TVjufiiA) St'&o, (piXe, jtiovov. 
 Nou S' avrov racpog iar aar/jp' (plyyor yap txtivov 
 QsyyuSr) fdovov, wc etKog } eiravXiv i\ Hm 
 
4 2 4 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Nui; bpdag on KctXXog ctwelpiTOv witbg awavyovg 
 
 Ov aaOpbv, ovdi utXCov eTrAfro, aAAa voog. 
 A Oc 8/a gwucltlov TrpoTepov kcu vvv Si 'OAu^ttou 
 
 ' A GTQCLTTTljJVy 0uQl8(a)V k)Q Sid, VSLUE (JaXag. 
 
 Mjjrep, yvvaiKiov ayXri, avOpioTrwv Epic, 
 'OSvnua AatjLiovbJV, Qwv yewpyiov, 
 nd>c vvv atyiTTTacrai, yoov kcl\ klvSvvov 
 Huag Xtirovcra kvkXoQev uETmyjxiovg. 
 Mcvouvyc <ro(j)ir)v, d 8 1 ct7rr]XXa\0aL ^pfwv, 
 Za>fjc £vvs£>70V (ri)vSe StaOuvai tLkvoiq 
 E\pr)v (j)vyov(ra, t{\v t Ittkjt^ji^v j3/oi>. 
 Mevovv to yXcupvpov, kcil /uzXippoov rpoirwvy 
 Aoywv re (piXrpov, umtt vtte^eXQhv Afwv. 
 Nvv S' (i)\ov ivytvo tog GTpctTog viKtj(popog 
 <PspuJv to 7rav 9 Kayiiiv* 77 vjg AirapKTiag 
 K/j7roi> avvu)6(i)v avuivrjv cvwSiav, 
 Mlciv t aTapnov avjUTropevecrOai Spaaag. 
 'Eya> S'£ pivl £i>ju€aAa>v l^v^XaTio 
 E'lttov Tvyoijii TrigcY api(TTr)g ciTpa-ov, 
 Oavelv (jwetScog KpeiTTOv, f} aXXtjg j5iovv» 
 
 VfjCLL. 
 
 XaXerrbv Soksl Saicpvc 
 XaXeirbv fxlv ov Saicpvaar 
 XaXtTTwTtpov Si iravTwv 
 AaKpvovrag au~av£aQai. 
 Tevlreipav ov Tig iivSpwv 
 AiSvuaig icopaiQ ToiavTrjv 
 
 'JL7Tobvp£Tai 7rp£7TOVTlx)g. 
 
 TaXag ; elOe y "Apyog ciijv 
 TioXvoppaTog, TroXvrXag, 
 "Iva ur]rpog zvOevovcnig 
 ^AptTag SicAKpiOdaag 
 'Iotai£ KOpaiai kXcivgw* 
 
PARFNTALIA. 425 
 
 AldZto ytvtrEipav, lirauiZov&i Kai dXXoi, 
 Ovk W^ Eprjv iciag 0uXrjc ypd\pavTEg apioybv, 
 lipovvopioj $' apETi^g noivriv yEvirEipav eX6vte£. 
 Ovk evl Oavpa togov G^ErEpt^Eiv' ovSe yap vStvp, 
 Ov tyiyyog, koivov T dyaObv, piav E\g uvpav llpytiv 
 H 6tpig, r) Svvarov. GEpvwparog ettXeto GTaOprj, 
 A^/ulugiov t 'IvSaXpa kciXov, OeIov re KaTonrpov. 
 
 Aia^u) yevireipav, Eiraid^ovGL yvvalKtg, 
 Ovk etl (3aXXopEvr)g ycipiGiv j3fj3oXr/julvat r\rop, 
 Avrap a\ti pEyaXuj KEvrovpEvaii evte yap avrai 
 Tf;£ irtpl gvXXuXeovglv, eov iroiKiXparoc dp$r)v 
 \{]fTfiove^ 9 i] fitXovr) (HpaXtpio Krjp rpdvpan vvttu 
 'JLpyov a /ma pr j) kv7 a, vtov 7TettXov aijiari gtlktov 
 Mr)r£pi TitcTaivovcra, y6(# icac ttevOegl Gvy^povv^ 
 
 Ata£w yevtTEipav, E7raLaZovGiv dirix)pai 9 
 Ovk etc SfaTrotyr/c yXvKtpa peXeccovl Tpa^uaai' 
 *Hc (iiog rieXioio ciktjv, iiKnvag Hvrog 
 Ylpaeig Elapivovg rE -^apalg ETTiKicvan k\}ttov' 
 Avrap 6§' aii Odvarog Kvpirig tog riXiog avog 
 ^isiplov r)rrr}6t\g j3ouX?'jjuao7, iravra papaivtL. 
 Zto §' avrbg fipa\v n ttveilov, dig tpiraXtv avri}g 
 Alvov bpov Z,d)Eiv Kai irvEvparog a'XXo yEviaQai 
 ilvEvpa^ fiiov irdpoSov fiovvoig etteeggl perpriaav. 
 
 Kvpar EiratypiOiovra Oafir)GEog 9 aiKE crtXijw/c 
 Qwrbg diravpop(vr)g, oyKOV e^eIgOe ttXeov. 
 Nuv Oeplq op(j)vairf p.EydXr]g ettl yEirovog diGX), 
 
 OvXvp.7r6v$E fiifidv vppiv dviGTa/iEvaig, 
 'AXXa fiEvelr, ov yap rdpayog ~ot\ jja^ripa fiaiv-p, 
 
 Kat TTpETTOV WOE TTapCL SaKpVOEGGl pEElV. 
 
426 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 EXCUSSOS manibus calamos, falcemque refump- 
 tam 
 Rure, fibi dixit Mufa fuiffe probro. 
 Aggreditur Matrem (condu&is carmine Parcis) 
 
 Funereque hoc cultum vindicat segra fuum. 
 Non potui non ire acri ftimulante flagello : 
 
 Quin matris fuperans carmina pofcit honos. 
 Eja, agedum fcribo : vicifti Mufa ; fed audi, 
 Stulta femel fcribo, perpetuo ut fileam. 
 
427 
 
 GEORGII HERBERTI ANGL1 
 MUSM RESPONSORI&, 
 
 AD ANDREW MELVINI SCOTI 
 
 Anti-ta?ni-caml-categoriam. 
 
 [Andrew Melvin, or Melvill, a noify and remarkable 
 perfon in his own day, was born m 1545, and after 
 fpending fome time in Switzerland, returned to England 
 with a commendatory letter from Beza. The queftion 
 of epifcopal titles in 1578 fanned a flame, which later 
 circumftances made dangerous to himfelf. Walton fays : 
 " he, being a man of learning, and inclined to fatirical 
 poetry had fcattered many malicious, bitter verfes againft 
 our liturgy, our ceremonies, and our church government, 
 which were by fome of that party (the diflenters), fo 
 magnified for the wit, that they were therefore brought 
 into Westminfter School, when Mr. George Herbert 
 then, and often after, made fuch anfwers to them, and 
 fuch reflections on him and his kirk, as might unbeguile 
 any man that was not too deeply pre-engaged in fuch a 
 quarrel." At an earlier period, Walton had fpoken more 
 gently of the polemical Scotchman, as a mafter of wit, 
 and among his countrymen only exceeded by Buchanan. 
 A more competent critic, Robertfon, praifes his learn- 
 ing, his pure manners, and his intrepidity of mind. He 
 died in 162 1. Herbert's verfes were collected and pub- 
 liihed by Dr. Duport, the Dean of Peterborough. On 
 neither lide is the wit or the anger of a very fharp edge; 
 and the epigrams of Herbert are the mere sword-play of 
 an accomplished fcholar, more anxious to mow his (kill, 
 than to wound his opponent.] 
 
423 
 
 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Pro Supplici 
 
 Evangelicorum Miniftrorum in Anglia, ad Serenijfimum 
 
 Regem Contra larvatam gemincc 
 
 Academics Gorgonem Apologia ; 
 
 SIVE 
 
 ANTI-TAMI-CAMI CATEGORIA, 
 
 Audtore Andrea Melvino. 
 
 Refponfum, non dictum. 
 
 INSOLENS, audax, facinus nefandum. 
 Scilicet, (pofcit ratio ut decori, 
 f ofcit ex omni officio ut fibi mens 
 Confcia re£ti) 
 
 Anxiam Chrifti vigilemque curam, 
 Quae pias terris animas relictis 
 Sublevans deducit in aftra, uigioque 
 Invidet Oreo, 
 
 De facri cafta ratione cultus, 
 De Sacro-fancti Officii decoro 
 Supplicem ritu veteri libellum 
 
 Porr'gere Regi, 
 
 Simplici mente atque animo integello, 
 
 Spiritu recto, et ftudiis modeitis, 
 
 Numinis fancti veniam, et benigni 
 
 Reo-is honorem 
 o 
 
MUS^E RESPONSORIA:. 429 
 
 Ri:e praefantem : Scclus cxpLindum 
 Scilicet taurorum, ovium, fuiimquc 
 Millibus centum, voluifle nudo 
 Tangere verbo 
 
 Pnefulum faftus ; monuiffe Ritus 
 Impios, deridiculos, ineptos 
 Lege, ceu labes, maculafque lecta ex 
 Gente fugandos. 
 
 Jufque-jurandum ingemuifle jura 
 Exigi contra omnia ; turn mifellis 
 Mentibus triftem laqueum injici per 
 Fafque, nefafque. 
 
 Turbida illimi Crucis in lavacro 
 Signa confignem ? magico rotatu 
 Verba devolvam ? facra vox facrata im- 
 Murmuret unda 
 
 Strigis in morem ? Rationis ufu ad- 
 Fabor Infantem vacuum ? canoras 
 Ingeram nugas minus audienti 
 Di&a puello ? 
 
 Parvulo impoftis manibus facrabo 
 Gratias foedus ? digitone Sponfae 
 Annulus Sponfi impofitus facrabit 
 Connubiale 
 
 Foedus aeternae bonitatis ? Unda 
 Num falutari mulier Sacerdos 
 Tinget in vitam, Sephoramque reddet 
 Luftrica mater ? 
 
430 HERBEET S POEMS 
 
 Pilei quadrum capiti rotundo 
 Rite quadrabit ? Pharium camillo 
 Supparum Chrifti, et decus Antichrifti 
 Pontificale ? 
 
 Paftor examen gregis exigendum 
 Curet invitus, celebrare coenam 
 Promptus arcanam, memorando Jefu 
 Vulnera dira? 
 
 Cantibus certent Berecynthia aera 
 Muficum fractis ? reboentve rauco 
 Templa mugitu ? Illecebris fupremi ah 
 Re&or Olympi 
 
 Captus humanis ? libitumque nobis, 
 Scilicet, Regi id Superum allubefcet ? 
 Sommumque aegri cerebri profanum eft 
 Dictio facra ? 
 
 Haud fecus luftri Lupa Vaticani 
 Romuli faecem bibit, et bibendam 
 Porrigit poc'lo, populifque et ipfis 
 Regibus aureo. 
 
 Non ita aeterni Witakerus acer 
 Luminis vhidex, patriaeque lumen 
 Dixit, aut fenfit ; neque celfa fummi 
 Penna Renoldi. 
 
 Certa fublimes aperire calles, 
 Sueta cceleftes iterare curfus, 
 Laeta mifceri niveis beatae 
 
 Civibus aulae ; 
 
MUSJE RESPONSORI^E. 43 1 
 
 Nec Tami, aut Cami accola faniore 
 Mente, qui caelum fapit in frcquenti 
 Hermathenaeo, ct celebri Lyceo 
 Culta juventus, 
 
 Cujus afFulget genio Jovas lux, 
 Cui nitens Sol juftitiae renidet, 
 Quern jubar ChrHti radiantis alto 
 Spe£tat Olvmpo. 
 
 Bucerum laudem ? memoremque magnum 
 Martyrem ? gemmas geminas renati 
 Aurei faec'li, duo dura facri 
 
 Fulmina belli ? 
 
 Alterum Camus liquido recurfu, 
 Alterum Tamus trepidante lympha 
 Audiit, multum ftupuitque magno 
 Ore fonantem. 
 
 Anne mulcentem Rhodanum, et Lemanum 
 Praedicem Bezam viridi in fenecta ? 
 OcSties cujus trepidavit aetas 
 
 Claudere denos 
 
 Solis anfractus, reditufque, et ultra 
 Ouinque percurrens fpatiofa in annos 
 Longius florem viridantis asvi 
 
 Prorogat et ver. 
 
 Oris erumpit fcatebra perenni 
 Amnis exundans, gravidique rores 
 Gratia foecunda animos apertis 
 
 Auribus implent. 
 
43 2 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Major hie omni invidia, et fuperftes 
 Millibus mille, et Sadecle, et omnium 
 Maximo CALVINO, aliifque veri 
 Teftibus aequis \ 
 
 Voce olorina liquidas ad undas 
 Nunc canit laudes Genitoris almi 
 Carmen, et Nato canit, eliquante 
 Numinis aura, 
 
 Senfa de caftu facra puriore, 
 Dicla de cultu potiore Sandta, 
 Arma quae in caftris jugulent ieveri 
 Tramitis hoftes. 
 
 Cana cantanti juga ninguidarum 
 Alpium applaudunt, refonantque valles ; 
 Jura concentu nemorum fonoro, 
 Et pater Ifter 
 
 Confonant longe ; pater et bicornis 
 Rhenus afcenfum ingeminat, Garumna, 
 Sequana, atque Arar, Liger : infularum et 
 Undipotentum 
 
 Magna pars intenta Britannicarum 
 Voce confpirat liquida : folumque, 
 Et falum, et coelum, ae mula praecinentis 
 More, modoque 
 
 Concinunt Bezae numeris, modifque 
 Et polo plaudunt ; referuntque leges 
 Lege quas fanxit pius ardor, et Rex 
 Scoto-britannus. 
 
% 
 
 MUSJE RESPONSORI^E. 433 
 
 Sicut edictum in tabulis ahenis 
 Servat aeternum pia cura Regis 
 Qui mare, et terras, variifque mundum 
 Temperat horis : 
 
 Cujus sequalis Soboles Parenti 
 Gentis electae pater, atque cuftos ; 
 Par et ambobus, veniens utrinque 
 Spiritus almus ; 
 
 Ouippe Tres-unus Deus ; unus aclus, 
 Una natura eft tribus ; una virtus 
 Una Majeftas, Deitas et una, 
 Gloria et una. 
 
 Una vis immenfa, perennis una 
 Vita, lux una, et fapientia una, 
 Una mens, una et ratio, una vox, et 
 Una voluntas 
 
 Lenis, indulgens, facilis, benigna ; 
 Dura, et inclemens, rigida, et fevera ; 
 Semper aeterna, omnipotens, et aequa, 
 Semper et alma : 
 
 Lucidum cujus fpeculum eft, reflectens 
 Aureum vultus jubar, et verendum, 
 Virginis proles, fata coelo, et alti In- 
 Terpres Olympi : 
 
 Qui Patris mentemque, animumque fancli 
 Filius pandit face noctiluca, 
 Sive Doctrinae documenta, feu com- 
 pendia Vit<e, 
 
 F F 
 
43+ Herbert's prose works. 
 
 Publics, privae, facra icita Regni 
 Regis ad natum referens, Domufque 
 Ad voluntatem Domini inftituta 
 Singula librans, 
 
 Luce quam Phoebus melior refundit, 
 Lege, quam Legum- tulit ipfe -lator, 
 Cujus exa£ti officii fuprema eft 
 
 Norma voluntas. 
 
 Coeca mens humana, hominum voluntas 
 Prava, et afFe£tus rabidi : indigetque 
 Luce mens, norma officii voluntas, 
 Lege libido, 
 
 Quifquis hanc furda negat aure, qua fe 
 Fundit ubertim liquidas fub auras, 
 Ille ter prudens, fapienfque, et omni ex 
 Parte beatus. ■ 
 
 Ergo vos Cami proceres, Tamique, 
 Quos via flexit malefuadus error, 
 Denuo rectum, duce Rege Regum, in- 
 Siftite callem. 
 
 Vos metus tangit fi hominum nee ullus, 
 At Deum fandi memorem et nefandi 
 Vindicem fperate, et amcena folis 
 Tartara Diris ; 
 
 Quae manent fontes animas, trucefque 
 Paefulum faftus, male quas permit 
 Pervigil zelus vigilum, et gregis cu- 
 Stodia pern ox. 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 435 
 
 Vefte bis tincta Tyrio fuperbos 
 Murice, et paftos dape pinguiore 
 Regia quondam aut Saliari inuncta a- 
 Bdomine ccena. 
 
 Qualis Urfini, Damaffque faftus 
 Turgidus, luxuque ferox, feroque 
 Ambitu pugnax, facram et aedem, et urbem 
 Caede nefanda 
 
 Civium inceftavit, et omniofum 
 Traxit exemplum veniens in aevum 
 Praelulum quod nobilium indecorus 
 Provocat ordo. 
 
 Quid fames auri facra ? quid cupido 
 Ambitu diro fera non propagut 
 Pofteris culpae ? mala damna quanta 
 Plurima fundit ? 
 
 Pro Difciplina Ecclefiae Noftrae, 
 Epigrammata Apologetica. 
 
 Auguftiffimo Potentiffimoque Monarchae Jacobo, 
 D. G., Magnae Britanniae, Franciae, et Pliberniae, 
 Regi, Fidei Defenfori, etc. Geo. Herbertus. 
 
 ECCE recedentis foecundo in littore Nili 
 Sol generat populum luce fovente novum. 
 Ante tui, Caefar, quam fulferat aura favoris, 
 
 Noftrae etiam Mufae vile fuere lutum : 
 
 Nunc adeo per te vivunt, ut repere pomnt, 
 
 Sintque aufae thalamum folis adire tui. 
 
 F F 2 
 
436 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Illuftris : Celfiffimoque Carolo, Walliae, 
 et Juventutis Principi. 
 
 kUAM chartam tibi porrigo recentem, 
 Humanae decus atque apex juventse, 
 OlTTatu placido benignus affles, 
 Nam [que] afpectibus e tuis vel unus 
 Mordaces tineas, nigrafque blattas, 
 Quas Jivor mihi parturit, retundet, 
 Ceu, quas culta timet feges, pruinas 
 Nafcentes radii fugant, vel acres 
 Tantum dulcia leniunt catarrhos. 
 Sic 6 te (juvenem, fenemve) credat 
 Mors Temper juvenem, fenem Britanni 
 
 3. Reverendiffimo in Chrifto Patri ac Domino, 
 Epifcopo Vintonienfi, etc.* 
 
 SANCTE Pater, cceli cuftos, quo dodtius uno 
 Terra nihil, nee quo fan&ius aftra vident ; 
 Cum mea futilibus numeris fe verba viderent 
 
 Claudi, pene tuas praeteriere fores. 
 Sed propere, dextreque reduxit euntia fenfus, 
 Ifta docens foli fcripta quadrare tibi. 
 
 Ad Regem. 
 
 Inftituti Epigrammatici Ratio. 
 Epigr. 1. 
 
 CUM millena tuam pulfare negotia mentem 
 Conftet, et ex ilia pendeat orbis ope ; 
 Ne te productis videar laflare Camcenis, 
 
 * Laancelot Andrewes, Bifhop of Winchefter. 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 437 
 
 Pro folido, CAESAR, carmine frufta dabo. 
 Ciim tu contundens, Catharos, vultuque librifque, 
 Grata mihi menfae funt analecfta tuae. 
 
 Ad Melvinum. 
 
 Epigr. 2. 
 
 NON mea fert aetas, ut te, veterane, lacefTam ; 
 Non ut te fuperem : res tamen ipfa feret. 
 /Etatis numerum fupplebit caufa minorem • 
 
 Sic tu nunc juvenis factus, egoque fenex. 
 Afpice, dum perftas, ut te tua deferat aetas ; 
 
 Et mea fint canis fcripta referta tuis. 
 Ecce tamen quam fuavis ero ! cum, fine duelli, 
 
 Clauferit extremas pugna peracta vices, 
 Turn tibi, fi placeat, fugientia tempora reddam ; 
 
 Sufficiet votis ifta juventa meis. 
 
 In Monftrum vocabuli Anti-tami-Cami-Categoria. 
 Epigr. 3. Ad eundem. 
 
 OQUAM bellus homo es ! lepido quam nomine 
 ^fingis 
 
 lftas Anti-Tami-Cami-Categorias ! 
 Sic Catharis nova fola placent ; res, verba novantur : 
 
 Quae fapiunt aevum, ceu cariofa jacent. 
 Quin liceat nobis aliquas procudere voces : 
 
 Non tibi fingendi Tola taberna patet. 
 Cum facra perturbet vefter furor omnia, fcriptum 
 
 Hoc erit, Anti-furi-Puri-Categoria. 
 Pollubra vel cum olim damnaris Regia in ara, 
 
 Eft Anti-pelvi-Melvi-Categoria. 
 
4-3*> Herbert's poems. 
 
 Partitio Anti-Tami-Cami-Categoriae. 
 
 TRES video partes, quo re diftinctius utar, 
 Anticategoriae, Scoto-Britanne, tuae : 
 Ritibus una Sacris opponitur ; altera Sanctos 
 
 Praedicat auctores ; tertia plena Deo eft. 
 Poftremis ambabus idem fentimus uterque ; 
 
 Ipfe pios laudo ; Numen et ipfe colo. 
 Non nifi prima fuas patiuntur praslia lites. 
 O bene quod dubium poilideamus agrum ! 
 
 In metri genus. 
 
 CUR, ubi tot ludat numeris antiqua poefis, 
 Sola tibi Sappho, feminaque una placet ? 
 Cur tibi tarn facile non arrifere poetae 
 
 Heroum grandi carmina fulta pede ? 
 Cur non lugentes Elegi ? non acer Iambus ? 
 
 Commotos animos reitius ifta decent. 
 Scilicet hoc vobis proprium, qui purius itis, 
 
 Et populi fpurcas creditis effe vias ; 
 Vos ducibus mims, minis doctoribus, omnes 
 
 Femineum blanda fallitis arte genus : 
 Nunc etiam teneras quo verfus gratior aures 
 
 Mulceat, imbelles complacuere modi. 
 
 De Larvata Gorgone. 
 
 GORGON A cur diram,larvafque obtrudis inanes, 
 Cum prope fit nobis Mufa, Medufa procul ? 
 Si, quia felices olim dixere poetae 
 
 Pallada gorgoneam, fie tua verba placent. 
 Vel potius liceat diftinguere. Tuque tuique 
 Sumite Gorgoneam, noftraque Pallas erit. 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 43Q 
 
 De praefulum faftu. 
 
 PR^ESULIBUS noftris faftus, Melvine, tumentes 
 Saepius afpergis. Sifte, pudore vacas. 
 An quod femotum populo laquearibus altis 
 
 Eminet, id tumidum protinus effe feres ? 
 Ergo etiam Solem dicas, ignave, fuperbum, 
 
 Qui tam fublimi confpicit orbe viam : 
 llle tamen, quamvis altus, tua crimina ridens 
 
 Afliduo vilem lumine cingit humum. 
 Sic laudandus erit na£tus fublimia Praeful, 
 
 Qui dulci miferos irradiabit ope. 
 
 • 
 De Gemina Academia. 
 
 QUIS hie fuperbit, oro ? tune, an Prasfules r 
 Quos dente nigro corripis i 
 Tu duplicem folus Camaenarum thronum 
 
 Virtute percellis tua ; 
 Et unus impar seftimatur viribus, 
 
 Utrumque fternis calcitro : 
 Omnefque ftulti audimus, aut hypocritae, 
 
 Te perfpicaci atque integro. 
 An rectius nos, fi vices vertas, probi, 
 
 Te contumaci, et Jivido ? 
 Quifquis tuetur perfpicillis Belgicis 
 
 Qua parte tra&ari folent, 
 Res ampliantur, fin per adverfam viJet, 
 
 Minora fiunt omnia : 
 Tu qui fuperbos caeteros exiftimas 
 
 (Superbius cum te nihil) 
 Vertas fpecillum : nam, prout fe res habent, 
 
 Vitro minus recl:e uteris. 
 
44° Herbert's poems. 
 
 De S. Baptifmi ritu. 
 
 CUM tener ad facros infans fiftatur aquales, 
 Quod puer ignorat, verba profana putas ? 
 Annon fie mercamur agros t quibus ecce Redemptoi 
 
 Comparat aeterni regna beata Dei. 
 Scilicet emptorem fi res aut parcior aetas 
 
 Impediant, apices legis amicus obit. 
 Forfitan et prohibes infans portetur ad undas, 
 
 Et per fe Templi limen adire velis : 
 Sin, Melvine, pedes alienos poftulet infans, 
 
 Cur fie difpliceat vox aliena tibi ? 
 RecTiius innocuis lactentibus omnia praeftes, 
 
 Quae ratio per fe, fi fit adulta, facit. 
 Quid vetat ut pueri vagitus fuppleat alter, 
 
 Cum nequeat claras ipfe litare preces ? 
 Saevus es eripiens parvis vadimonia coeli : 
 
 Et tibi fit nemo praes, ubi pofcis opem. 
 
 De Signaculo Crucis. 
 
 CUR tanta fufflas probra in innocuam Crucem ? 
 Non plus maligni daemones Chrifti cruce 
 Unquam fugari, quam tui focii folent. 
 Apoftolorum culpa non levis fuit 
 Vitaffe Chrifti fpiritum efflantis crucem. 
 Et Chriftianus quifque pifcis dicitur 
 Tertulliano, propter undae pollubrum, 
 Ouo tingimur parvi. Ecquis autem brachiis 
 Natare fine clariflima poteft cruce ? 
 Sed non moramur : namque veftra crux erit, 
 Vobis faventibiifve, vel negantibus. 
 
 tr\t 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 44 1 
 
 De Juramento Ecclefiae. 
 
 ARTICULIS facris quidam fubfcribere juffus, 
 Ah ! Cheiragra vetat, quo minus, inquit, agam. 
 (J vere dictum, et belle ! cum torqueat omnes 
 Ordinis ofores aiticulare malum. 
 
 De Purificatione poft puerperium. 
 
 ENIXAS pueros matres fe fiftere templis 
 Difplicit, et laudis tura litare Deo. 
 Torte quidem, cum per veftras Ecclcfia turbas 
 
 Fludtibus internis exagitata natet, 
 Vos fine maternis hymnis infantia vidit, 
 
 Vitaque neglectas eft fatis ulta preces. 
 Sed nos, cum nequeat parvorum lingua parentem 
 
 Non laudare Deum, credimus effe nefas. 
 Quotidiana fuas pofcant fi fercula grates, 
 
 Noftra caro fancT:ae nefcia laudis erit ? 
 Adde piis animis quaevis occafio lucro eft, 
 
 Quae poffint humili fundere corde preces. 
 Sic ubi jam mulier decerpti confcia pomi 
 
 Ingemat ob partus, ceu maledicta, fuos, 
 Appofite quern commotum fubfugerat olim, 
 
 Nunc redit ad mitem, ceu benedicla, Deum. 
 
 De Antichrifti decore Pontificali. 
 
 NON quia Pontificum funt olim afflata veneno, 
 Omnia funt temere projicienda foras. 
 Tollantur fi cun£ta malus quae polluit ufus, 
 Non remanent nobis corpora, non animae. 
 
44 2 Herbert's poems. 
 
 De Superpelliceo. 
 
 QUID facrae tandem meruere veftes ? 
 Quas malus livor jaculis laceffit 
 Polluens caftam chlamydis colorem 
 
 Dentibus atris ? 
 Quicquid ex urna meliore ductum 
 Luce praeluftri, vel honore pollet, 
 Mens fub infigni fpecie colons 
 
 Concipit albi. 
 Scilicet taem liquet efie folem; 
 Angeli vultu radiante candent ; 
 Incolae coeli melioris alba 
 
 Vefte triumphant. 
 E creaturis fine mentis ufu 
 Conditis binas homini fequendas 
 Spiritus proponit, et eft utrique 
 
 Candor amicus. 
 Ergo ringantur pietatis hoftes, 
 Filii no&is, populus malignus, 
 Dum fuum nomen tenet, et triumphat 
 
 Albion albo. 
 
 De Pileo quadrato. 
 
 QXJJE di&eria fuderat Britannus 
 Superpellicei tremendus hoftis 5 
 llthr^c pileus audiit propinquus, 
 Et partem capitis petit fupremam \ 
 Non fie effugit angulus vel unus 
 Ouo diftis minus acribus notetur. 
 Verum heus ! ii reputes, tibi tuifque 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 44:; 
 
 Longe pileus anteit galerum, 
 Ut fervor cerebri retrigeretur, 
 Qui veftras edit intime medullas. 
 Sed qui tarn male pileos habetis, 
 Quos Ecclefia comprobat, verendum 
 Ne tandem caput ejus impetatis. 
 
 In Catharum. 
 
 CUR Latiam linguam reris nimis effe profanam ? 
 Quam pramifla probant fecula, noftra probant ? 
 Cur teretem Graecam damnas, atque Hellada totam, 
 
 Qua tamen occifi foedera fcripta Dei ? 
 Scilicet Hebraeam cantas, et perftrepis unam : 
 Haec facit ad nafum fola loquela tuum. 
 
 De Epifcopis. 
 
 QUOS charos habuit Chriftus Apoftolos, 
 Teftatofque fuo tradiderat gregi \ 
 IK ium mors rabidis unguibus imminens 
 Doclxinae fluvios clauderet aureae, 
 Mites acciperent Lampada Praefules, 
 Servarentque facrum clavibus ordinem \ 
 Hos nunc barbaries impia vellicat 
 Indulgens propriis ambitionibus, 
 Et quos ipfa nequit fcandere vertices 
 Hos ad fe trahere, et mergere geftiens. 
 O ccecum populum ! fi bona res fiet 
 Praeful, cur renuis ? fin mala, pauculos 
 Ouam cunclos fieri praeftat Epifcopos. 
 
444 Herbert's poems. 
 
 De Iifdem ad Melvinum. 
 
 PIUESULIBUS dirum te Mufa coarguit hoftem, 
 An quia Textorer,, Artificefque probas ? 
 
 De Textore Catharo. 
 
 CUM pifcatores Textor legit effe vocatos, 
 Ut fan£tum Domini perfequerentur opus ; 
 Ille quoque invadit Divinam Flaminis artem, 
 
 Subtegmen reti dignius effe putans, 
 Et nunc perlongas Scripturae ftamine telas 
 Torquet, et in Textu DocTior utroque cluet. 
 
 De Magicis rctatibus. 
 
 QUOS tu rotatus, quale murmur aufcultas 
 In ritibus noftris ? Ego audio nullum. 
 Age, provocemus ufque ad Angelos ipfos, 
 Aurefque fuperas : arbitri ipfi fint elitis 
 Utrum tenore facra noftra fint necne 
 iEquabili facta. Ecquid ergo te tanta 
 Calumniandi concitavit urtica, 
 Ut, quae Papicolis propria, affuas nobis, 
 Falfumque potius, quam crepes [vero ?] verfu ? 
 Tu perftrepis tamen ; utque turgeat carmen 
 Tuum tibi, poeta belle non myites 
 Magicos rotatus, et perhorridas Striges, 
 Diflteriis mordacibus notans, clamas 
 Non convenire precibus ifta Divinis. 
 O faevus hoftis ! quam ferociter pugnas ! 
 Nihilne refpondebimus tibi ? Fatemur. 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 445 
 
 Ad Fratrcs. 
 
 OSC'LUM lcpidum ! circumftant undique Fratrcs, 
 Papicolifque fui flint, CathanTque fui. 
 Sic nunc plena boni funt omnia Fratris, amore 
 Cum nil fraterno rarius effe queat. 
 
 De labe, maculifque. 
 
 LABECULAS, maculafque nobis objicis, 
 Quid ? hoccine eft mirum ? Viatores fumus. 
 V<nio fanguis eft Chrifti, nifi ut maculas lavet, 
 Ouas fpargit animae corporis propius lutum r 
 V os ergo puri ! O nomen appofitiffimum 
 Quo vulgus ornat vos ! At audias parum ; 
 Aftronomus olim (ut fama) dum maculas diu, 
 Quas Luna habet, tuetur, in foveam cadit, 
 Totufque caenum Cynthiae ignofcit notis. 
 Ecclefia eft mihi Luna ; perge in Fabula. 
 
 De Mufica Sacra. 
 
 CUR efficaci, Deucalion, manu, 
 Poft reftitutos fluclibus obices, 
 Mutas in humanam figuram 
 Saxa fupervacuafque cautes ? 
 Quin redde formas, O bone, priftinas, 
 Et nos reducas ad lapides avos : 
 Nam faxa mirantur canentes, 
 Saxa lyras, citharafque callent. 
 Rupes tenaces, et filices ferunt 
 Potentiori carmine percitas 
 
 Saltus per incultos, lacufque 
 Orphea mellifluum fecutas. 
 
446 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Et faxa diris hifpida montibus 
 Amphionis teftitudine nobili 
 
 Percuffa dum currunt ad urbem, 
 Maenia contribuere Thebis. 
 Tantum repertum eft trux hominum genus, 
 Qui templa facris expoliant choris, 
 Non erubefcentes vel ipfas 
 Duritia fuperare cautes. 
 O plena centum Mufica Gratiis, 
 Praeclariorum fpirituum cibus, 
 
 Quo me vocas tandem, tuiimque 
 Ut celebrem dec us iniufurras ? 
 Tu Diva miro pollice fpiritum 
 Caeno profani corporis exuens 
 Ter millies caelo reponis : 
 
 Aftra rogant, Novus hie quis hofpes. 
 Ardore Mofes concitus entheo, 
 Merfis revertens laetus ab hoftibus 
 Exufcitat plebem facratos 
 
 Ad Dominum properare cantus. 
 Quid hocce ? Pfalmos audion' ? O dapes ! 
 O fucculenti balfama fpiritus ! 
 Ramenta caeli, guttulaeque 
 Deciduae meiioris orbis 
 Quos David, ipfae deliciee Dei, 
 Ingens piorum gloria Principum, 
 Sionis excelfas ad arces 
 
 Cum citharis, lituifque mifcet. 
 Miratur aequor finitimum fonos, 
 Et ipfe Jordan fiftit aquas ftupens ; 
 Prae quo Tibris vultum recondit, 
 Eridanufque pudore fufus. 
 Tun' obdis aures, grex nove, barbaras, 
 Et nullus audis ? Cantibus obftrepens, 
 Ut, quo fatiges verberefque 
 Pulpita, plus fpatii lucreris ? 
 
c 
 
 EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 
 
 At cui videri prodigium poteft 
 Mcntes, quietis tympana publicae, 
 Difcordiis plenas fonoris 
 
 Harmonium tolerare nullam ! 
 
 De eadem. 
 
 ANTUS facros, profane, mugitus vocas ? 
 Mugire multo mavelim quam rudere. 
 
 De rituum ufu. 
 
 ClUM primum ratibus fuis 
 X Noftram Caefar #d infulam 
 Olim appelleret, intuens 
 Omnes indigenas loci 
 Viventes fine veftibus, 
 O vifloria, clamitat, 
 Certa, ac perfacilis mihi ! 
 Non alio Cathari modo 
 Dum fponfam Domini piis 
 Orbam ritibus expetunt, 
 Atque ad barbariem patrum 
 Vellent omnia regredi, 
 Illam tegminis infciam 
 Prorfus Daemoni, et hoftibus 
 Exponunt fuperabilem. 
 
 Atqui vos fecus, O boni, 
 Sentire fapere addecet, 
 Si veftros animos regant 
 Scripturae canones facrae : 
 
 447 
 
44-8 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Namque haec, jure, cuipiam 
 Veftem non adimi fuam, 
 Sed nudis et egentibus 
 Non fuam tribui jubet. 
 
 De annulo conjugali. 
 
 SED nee conjugii fignum, Melvine, probabis ? 
 Nee vel tantillum pignus habebit amor ? 
 Nulla tibi fi figna placent, e nubibus arcum 
 
 Eripe caelefti qui moderatur aquae. 
 Ilia quidem a noftro non multum abludit imago, 
 
 Annulus et plenus tempore forfan erit. 
 Sin nebulis parcas, et noftro parcito figno, 
 
 Cui non abfimilis fenfus inefle folet. 
 Scilicet, ut quos ante fuas cum conjuge tedas 
 
 Merferat in luftris perniciofa Venus, 
 Annulus hos revocet, fiftatque libidinis undas 
 
 Legitimi fignum connubiale tori. 
 
 De mundis et mundanis. 
 
 EX praelio undae ignifque (fi Phyficis fides) 
 tranquillus aer nafcitur : 
 bic ex profano Cofmico et Catharo poteft 
 Chriftianus exLtundi bonus. 
 
 De oratione Dominica. 
 
 QUAM Chriftus immortalis innocuo gregi 
 Voce fua dederat, 
 
 Quis crederet mortalibus 
 Orationem rejici feptemplicem, 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 449 
 
 Quae miferis clypeo 
 Ajacis eft praeftantior ? 
 Haec verba, fuperos advolaturus thronos 
 Chriftus, ut auxilii 
 
 Nos haud inanes linqueret, 
 (Cum dignius nil poflet aut melius dare) 
 Pignora chara fui 
 
 Fruenda nobis tradidit. 
 Ouis fie amicum excipiet, ut Cathari Deum, 
 Qui renovare facri 
 
 Audent amoris Symbolum ? 
 Tu vero quifquis es, cave, ne dum neges 
 improbe verba Dei, 
 
 Te deneget VERBUM Deus. 
 
 In Catharum quendam. 
 
 CUM templis effare, madent fudaria, mappae, 
 Trux caper alarum, fuppara, laena, fagum. 
 Ouin populo, clemens, aliquid largire caloris : 
 Nunc fudas folus -> caetera turba riget. 
 
 De lupa luftri Vaticani. 
 
 CALUMNIARUM nee pudor quis nee modus. 
 Nee Vaticanae defines unquam Lupae ? 
 Metus inanes ! Nos pari praetervehi 
 Ulam Charybdim cautione novimus 
 Veftramque Scyllam, aequis parati fpiculis 
 Britannicam in Vulpem, inque Romanam Lupam. 
 Di&i fidem firmabimus Anagrammate. 
 
 G G 
 
450 HERBERT S POEMS. 
 
 Roma dabit Oram, Maro, Ramo, Armo, Mora, 
 et Amor. 
 
 
 ROMA, tuum nomen quam non pertranfiit Oram, 
 Cum Latium ferrent fecula prifca jugum ? 
 IN on deerat vel fama tibi, vel carmina famae, 
 
 Unde Maro laudes duxit ad Aftra tuas. 
 At nunc exfucco fimilis tua gloria Ramo 
 
 A veteri trunco et nobilitate cadit. 
 Laus antiqua et honor perierunt, te velut Armo 
 
 Jam deturbarunt tempora longa fuo. 
 Quin tibi jam defperatae Mora nulla medetur ; 
 
 Qua Fabio quondam fub duce nata falus. 
 Hinc te olim Gentes miratae odere viciflim ; 
 
 Et cum fublata laude recedit Amor. 
 
 De Impofitione manuum. 
 
 NEC dextra te fugit almi Amoris emblema ? 
 Atqui manus imponere integras praeftat, 
 Quam (more veftro) imponere infcio vulgo. 
 Quanto Impofitio melior eft Impoftura ! 
 
 Supplicum Miniftrorum Raptus. 
 
 Kwju^>Sov^u£voc* 
 
 AMBITIO Cathari quinque conftat A6tibus. 
 Prima, unus aut alter parum ritus placet. 
 Jam repit impietas volatura illico. 
 
 II. Mox difplicent omnes. Ubi hoc permanferit 
 
 III. Paulo, fecretis muffitans in angulis 
 Quaerit receflus. Incalefcit fabula, 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 45 j 
 
 IV. Erumpit inde, et continere nefcius 
 
 V. Sylvas pererrat. Fibulis dein omnibus 
 Prae fpiritu ruptis, quo eas refarciat 
 Amftellodamum corripit fe. Plaudite. 
 
 De Auctorum enumeratione. 
 
 QUO magis invidiam nobis, et crimina confles, 
 Pertrahis in partes nomina magna tuas ; 
 ivJL.iLyra, Calvinum, Bezam, doctumque Bucerum, 
 
 Qui tamen in noftros fortiter ire negant. 
 Whitaker, erranti quern praefers carmine, miles 
 
 Afliduus noftrae papilionis erat. 
 Nos quoque poffemus longas confcribere turmas, 
 
 Si numero ftarent praelia, non animis. 
 Primus adeft nobis, Pharifaeis omnibus hoftis, 
 
 Chriftus Apoftolici cinctus amore gregis. 
 Tu geminas belli portas, O Petre, repandis, 
 
 Dum gladium ftringens Paulus ad arma vocat. 
 Inde Patres pergunt quadrati, et tota Vetuftas. 
 
 Nempe Novatores quis Veteranus amat ? 
 Jam Conftantinus multo fe milite mifcet ; 
 
 Invifamque tuis erigit hafta Crucem. 
 Hipponenfis adeft properans, et torquet in hoftes 
 
 Lampada, qua ftudiis invigilare folet. 
 Teque Deum alternis cantans Ambrofius iram, 
 
 Immemor antiqui mellis, eundo coquit. 
 Haec etiam ad pugnam praefens, qua vivimus, aetas 
 
 Innumeram noftris partibus addit opem. 
 Ouos inter plenufque Deo, genioque Jacobus 
 
 Defendit veram mente manuque fidem. 
 Interea ad facrum ftimulat facra Mufica bellum, 
 
 Qua fine vos miferi lentius itis ope. 
 Militat et nobis, quern vos contemnitis, Ordo % 
 Ordine difcerni maxima bella folent. 
 
 GG 2 
 
45 2 HERBERTS POEMS. 
 
 O vos invalidos ! Audi quern talibus armis 
 Eventum Nafo vidit et admonuit ; 
 
 Una dies Catharos ad bellum miferat omnes : 
 Ad bellum miflbs perdidit una dies. 
 
 De auri facra fame. 
 
 
 CLAUDIS avaritia Satyram ; ftatuifque facrorum 
 EfTe recidendas, iEace nofter, opes, 
 Caetera condonabo tibi, fcombnfque remittam : 
 Sacrilegum carmen, cenfeo, flamma voret. 
 
 Ad Scotiam protrepticon ad Pacem. 
 
 SCOTIA, quae frigente jaces porrefta fub Ar£to, 
 Cur adeo immodica religione cales ? 
 Anne tuas flammas ipfa Antiperiftafis auget, 
 
 Ut nive torpentes incaluere manus ? 
 Aut ut pruna gelu fummo mordacius urit, 
 
 Sic acuunt zelum frigora tanta tuum ? 
 Ouin nocuas extingue faces, precor : unda propinqua 
 
 . eft >. . 
 
 Et tibi vicinas porrigit aequor aquas ; 
 Aut potius Chrifti fanguis demiffus ab alto, 
 
 Vicinufque magis nobiliorque fluit : 
 Ne, fi flamma novis adolefcat mota flabellis, 
 
 Ante diem veftro mundus ab igne ruat. 
 
 Ad fedu&os innocentes. 
 
 INNOCUiE mentes, quibus inter flumina mundi 
 Ducitur illimi Candida vita fide, 
 Abfit ut ingenuum pungant mea verba pudorem ; 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOCETICA. 45? 
 
 Perftringunt veftros carmine fola duces. 
 Outinam aut illorum oculi (quod comprecor unum) 
 Vebis, aut illis pectora veftra forent. 
 
 Ad Melvinum. 
 
 ATQUI te precor unice per ipfam, 
 Quae fcripfit numeros, manum ; per omncs 
 Muiarum calices, per et beatos 
 Sarcafmos quibus artifex triumphas ; 
 Ouin per Prefbyteros tuos ; per urbem 
 Guam curto nequeo referre verfu ; 
 Per charas tibi, nobilefque dextras, 
 Ouas fubfcriptio neutiquam inquinavit ; 
 Per quicquid tibi fuaviter probatur ; 
 Ne me carminibus nimis dicacem, 
 Aut faevum reputes. Arnica noftra eft 
 Atque edentula Mufa, nee veneno 
 Splenis perlita contumeliofi. 
 
 Nam fi te cuperem fecare verfu, 
 Totamque evomerem potenter iram 
 Ouam aut Ecclefia defpicata vobis, 
 Aut laefae mihi fuggerunt Athenae, 
 (Et quern non ftimularet haec fimultas) 
 Jam te funditus igneis Camoenis, 
 Et Mufa crepitante fubruiffem : 
 Omnis linea fepiam recufans 
 Plumbo ducta fuiffet aeftuanti, 
 Centum ftigmatibus tuos inurens 
 Profanos fremitus bonafque fannas : 
 Plus charta haec mea delibuta diftis 
 Haefiflet tibi, quam fuprema veftis 
 Olim accreverit Herculi furenti : 
 Ouin hoc carmine lexicon probrorum 
 
454 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Extruxiflem, ubi, cum moneret ufus, 
 Haurirent tibi tota plauftra Mufae. 
 
 Nunc haec omnia fuftuli, tonantes 
 AfFectus fociis tuis remittens. 
 Non te carmine turbidum vocavi, 
 Non deridiculumve, five ineptum, 
 Non ftriges, magiamve, vel rotatus, 
 Non faftus tibi turgidos repono ; 
 Errores, maculas, fuperbiamque, 
 Labes, fomniaque, ambitufque diros, 
 Tinnitus Berecynthios omittens 
 Nil horum regero tibi merenti. 
 
 Quin te laudibus orno : quippe dico, 
 Caefar fobrius ad rei Latinae 
 Unus dicitur advenire cladem : 
 Et tu folus ad Angliae procellas 
 (Cum plerumque tua fodalitate 
 Nil fit crailius, impolitiiifve) 
 Accedis bene docTius, et poeta. 
 
 I 
 
 Ad eundem. 
 
 NCIPIS irridens ; ftomachans in carmine pergis j 
 Definis exclamans : Tota figura, vale. 
 
 Ad Seren. Regem. 
 
 ECCE pererratas, regum doctiffirue, nugas, 
 Ouas gens inconfulta, fuis vexata procellis, 
 Libandas nobis, abforbendafque propinat ! 
 O caecos animi fratres ! quis veftra fatigat 
 Corda furor, fpiffaque afflat caligine fenfus ? 
 
EPIGRAMMATA APOLOGETICA. 455 
 
 Cernite, quam formofa fuas Ecclefia pennas 
 Explicat, et radiis ipfum pertingit Olympum ! 
 Vicini populi paflim mirantur, et aequos 
 Mentibus attonitis cupiunt addifcere ritus : 
 Angelicae turmae noftris fe caetibus addunt : 
 Ipfe etiam Chriflus coelo fpeculatus ab alto 
 Intuituque uno ftringens habitacula mundi, 
 Sola mini plenos, ait, exhibet Anglia cultus. 
 Scilicet has olim divifas aequore terras 
 Sepofuit Divina fibi, cum conderet orbem, 
 Progenies gemmamque fua quafi pyxide claufit. 
 
 O qui Defenfor Fidei meritifiimus audis, 
 Refponde aeternum titulo ; quoque ordine felix 
 Ccepifti, pergas fimili res texere filo. 
 Obrue ferventes, ruptis conatibus, hoftes : 
 Ouafque habet aut patulas, aut caeco tramite, moles 
 Haereiis, evertas. Quid enim te fallere poflit ? 
 Tu venas, laticefque omnes quos facra recludit 
 Pagina, guftafti, multoque interprete gaudes : 
 Tu Synodofque, Patrefque, et quod dedit alta vetuftas 
 Haud per te moritura, Scholamque introfpicis omnem. 
 Nee tranfire licet quo mentis acumine findis 
 Vifcera naturae, commiftufque omnibus aftris 
 Ante tuum tempus ccelum gratiflimus ambis. 
 Hac ope munitus fecurior excipis undas, 
 Ouas Latii, Cathanque movent, atque inter utrafque 
 Paftor agis proprios, medio tutiffimus, agnos. 
 
 Perge, decus Regum ; fie, AuguftiiEme, plures 
 Sint tibi vel ftellis laudes, et laudibus anni : 
 Sic pulfare tuas, exclufis luctibus, aufint 
 Gaudia fola fores : fie quicquid fomnia mentis 
 Intus agunt, habeat certum meditatio finem ; 
 Sic pofitis nugis, quibus irretita libido 
 Innumeros mergit vitiata mente poetas, 
 Sola Jacobaeum decantent carmina nomen. 
 
456 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Ad Deum. 
 
 QUEM tu, fumme Deus, femel 
 Scribentem placido rore beaveris, 
 
 Ilium non labor irritus 
 Exercet miferum ; non dolor unguium 
 
 Morfus increpat anxios ; 
 Non maeret calamus ; non queritur caput : 
 
 Sed foecunda poefew^ 
 Vis, et vena facris regnat in artubus 
 
 Qualis nefcius aggerum 
 Exundat fluvio Nilus amabili. 
 
 O dulciflime fpiritus, 
 Sanctos qui gemitus mentibus inferis 
 
 A Te Turture defluos, 
 Quod fcribo, et placeo, fi placeo, tuum eft. 
 
 INVENTA BELLICA. 
 
 E MSTO. AUTOG. 
 
 OH Mortis longaeva fames, venterque perennis ! 
 Quern non Emathius torrens, non fanguine pin- 
 guis 
 Daunia, non fatiat bis ter millefima caedis 
 Progenies, mundique aetas abdomine tanto 
 Ingluvieque minor. Quercus habitare feruntur 
 Prifci, crefcentefque una cum prole cavernas ; 
 Hinc tamen excludi mors noluit, ipfaque vitam 
 Glans dedit, et truncus tectum, et ramalia mortem. 
 Confluere interea paflim ad Floralia pubes 
 Coeperat, agricolis mentemque et aratra folutis. 
 Compita fervefcunt pedibus, clamoribus aether. 
 Hie ubi difcumbunt per gramina, falfior unus 
 
INVENTA BELLICA. 457 
 
 Omnia fufpendit nafo, fociofque laceflit : 
 Non fert Ucalegon, atque amentata retorquet 
 Di£ta ferox, hoerent lateri convitia fixo. 
 Scinditur in partes vulgus ceu compita, telum 
 Ira facit, mundufque ipfe eft apotheca furoris, 
 Liber alit rixas, potantibus omnia bina 
 Sunt praeter vitam : faxis hie fternitur, alter 
 Ambuftis fudibus, pars vitam in pocula fundunt, 
 Bacchantur Lapithae, furit inconftantia vini, 
 Sanguine quern dederat fpolians : primordia belli 
 Haec fuerant, fie Tifiphone virguncula lufit. 
 
 Non placuit rudis atque ignara occifio, morti 
 Quaeritur ingenium, do&ufque homicida probatur. 
 Hinc tyrocinium, parvoque affueta juventus, 
 Fictaque Bellona, et verae ludibria pugnae, 
 Inftruclaeque acies, hyernefque in pellibus aclae. 
 Omniaque haec ut tranfadigant fine crimine coftas 
 Artificefque necis clueant et mortis alumni. 
 Nempe et millenos ad palum interficit hoftes 
 Affiduus tyro, fi fit fpedtanda voluntas. 
 O fuperi ! quis tantum ipfis virtutibus inftat, 
 Ouantum caedi ? adeone unam nos vivere vitam, 
 Perdere fexcentas ? crefcet tamen hydra nocendi 
 Triftis, ubi ac ferrum tellure reciditur ima, 
 Foecundufque chalybs fceleris, jam fanguine tinctus, 
 Expleri nequit, at totum depafcitur orbem. 
 Quid memorem tormenta, quibus prius horruit aevum, 
 Baliftafque, Onagrofque, et quicquid Scorpio faevus 
 Vel Catapulta poteft, Siculique inventa magiftri, 
 Angligenumque arces, gaudentes fanguine Galli 
 Fuftibales, fundafque quibus cum numine fretus 
 Stravit Idumaeum divinus Tityrus hoftem. 
 
 Adde etiam currus et cum temone Britanno 
 Arviragum, falcefque obftantia quaeque metentes. 
 Ouin aries ruit et multa Demetrius arte, 
 
458 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Sic olim cecidere. 
 
 Deerat adhuc vitiis noftris digniiftma mundo 
 Machina, quam nullum fatis execrabitur aevum \ 
 Liquitur ardenti candens fornace metallum, 
 Fufaque decurrit notis aqua ferrea fulcis : 
 Exoritur tubus, atque inftar Cyclopis Homeri, 
 Lufcum prodigium, medioque foramine gaudens ! 
 Inde rotae atque axis fubeunt, quafi fella curulis, 
 Qua mors ipfa fedens hominum de gente triumphat. 
 Accedit Pyrius pulvis laquearibus Orci 
 Exulis, Infernae pretiofa tragemata menfae, 
 Sulphureaque lacu, totaque imbuta Mephiti. 
 Hinc glans adjicitur, non quam rucTiare vetuftas 
 Creditur, ante fatas prono cum vertice fruges. 
 Plumbea glans, livenfque fuae quafi confcia noxae, 
 Purpureus lictor Plutonis, epiftola fati. 
 Plumbis obfignata, colofque et ftamina vitae 
 Perrumpens, Atropi vetulae marcentibus ulnis. 
 Haec ubi vincta, fubit vivo cum fune minifter, 
 Fatalemque levans dextram, qua ftupeus ignis 
 Mulcetur vento, accendit cum fomite partem 
 Pulveris inferni, properat, datur ignis, et omnem 
 Materiam vexat, nee jam fe continet antro 
 Tifiphone, flamma et fallaci fulmine cinema ; 
 Evolat, horrendumque ciet bacchata fragorem. 
 It ftridor, caelofque omnes et Tartara findit. 
 Non jam exaudiri quidquam vel mufica fphaerae 
 Vel gemitus Erebi, piceo fe turbine voivens, 
 Totamque eructans nubem glans proruit imo 
 Precipitata, cadunt urbes formidine, muri 
 Diffugiunt, fragilifque crepant coenacula mundi. 
 Strata jacent toto millena cadavera campo, 
 Uno icStu ; non fie peftis, non ftella maligno 
 Afflatu perimunt. En Cymba Cocytia turbis 
 Ingemit, et defeffus opem jam portitor orat. 
 Nee glans fola nocet, mortem quandoque fufurrat 
 
ALIA POEMATA LATINA. 459 
 
 Aura volans, vitamque aer quam paverat, aufcrt. 
 Dicite vos, Furiae ! qua gaudet origine monftrum ? 
 Nox i^Etnam, no&emque Chaos genuere priores, 
 -/Etna Cacum ignivomum dedit, hie Ixiona Graecis 
 Cantatum, deinde Ixion cum nubibus atris 
 Congrediens genuit monachum, qui limen opacae 
 Trifte colens fellae, no£tuque et Daemone plenum 
 Protulit horrendum hoc primum cumpulvere monftrum. 
 Ouis monachos mortem meditari, et pulvere trifti 
 Verfatos neget : atque humiles queis talia cordi 
 Tarn demifta, ipfamque adeo fubeuntia terram ? 
 
 Nee tamen hie mortis rabies ftetit ; exilit omni 
 Tormento pejor Jefuita, et fulminat orbem, 
 Ridens bombardas miferas, quae corpora perdunt 
 Non animas ; raroque ornantur fanguine regum 
 Obftreperae ftulto fonito, crimenque fatentes. 
 Siftimus hie, inquit fatum, fat prata biberunt 
 Sanguinis, innocuum tandem luet orbis Abelum. 
 
 G. Herberte 
 
 ALIA POEMATA LATINA. 
 
 Ad auctorem Inftaurationis magnae. 
 [franciscum bacon.] 
 
 PER ftrages licet auclorum veterumque ruinam 
 Ad famae properes vera Tropaea tuae, 
 Tarn nitide tamen occidis, tarn fuaviter hoftes, 
 
 Se quafi donatum funere quifque putat. 
 Scilicet apponit pretium tua dextera fato, 
 
 Vulnereque emanat fanguis, ut intret honos. 
 O quam felices funt, qui tua caftra fequuntur, 
 Cum per te fit res ambitiofa mori. 
 
4^° Herbert's poems. 
 
 In honorem illuftriffimi Domini Francifci de Veru 
 lamio Vice-Comitis Sti. Albani. 
 
 POST EDITAM AB EO INSTAUR. MAGNUM. 
 
 QUIS ifte tandem ? non eni m Vultu ambulat 
 Ouotidiano. Nefcis, ignare ? audies. 
 Dux Notionum ; Veritatis Pontifex ; 
 Indu&ionis Dominus ; Et Verulamii ; 
 Rerum Magifter Unicus, at non Artium : 
 Profunditatis Pinus, atque Elegantiae ; 
 Naturae Arufpex intimus ; Phiiofophiae 
 /Erarium, Sequefter Experientiae, 
 Speculationifque ; iEquitatis Signifer ; 
 Scientiarum fub pupillari ftatu 
 Degentium olim Emancipator ; Luminis 
 Promus : Fugator Idolum, atque Nubium : 
 Collega Solis : Quadra Certitudinis : 
 Sophifmatum Maftix ; Brutus Literarius, 
 Authoritatis exuens Tyrannidem : 
 Rationis et Senfus Stupendus Arbiter ? 
 Repumicator mentis : Atlas Phyficus, 
 Alcide fuccumbente Stagiritico ; 
 Columba Noae, quae in vetuftate Artibus 
 Nullum locum requiemque cernens, praeftitit 
 Ad fe fuumque Matris, Arcam regredi. 
 Subtilitatis terebra ; Temporis nepos 
 Ex veritate Matre ; Mellis Alveus ; 
 Mundique et Animarum Sacerdos Unicus ; 
 Securifque Errorum ; inque Natalibus 
 Granum Sinapis, acre aliis, Crefcens fibi ; 
 O me prope Laffum ! Juvate Pofteri. 
 
 Geor. Herbert. Orat. Pub. in 
 Academ. Cantab. 
 
 
ALIA POEMATA LATINA. 461 
 
 In obitum incomparabilis Francisci Vice-Comitis 
 Sancti Albani, Baronis Verulamii. 
 
 DUM longi lentfque gemis fub pondere morbi, 
 Atque haeret dubio tabida vita pede ; 
 Quid voiuit prudens Fatum, jam fentio tandem : 
 
 Conftat, Aprile uno te potuiffe mori : 
 Ut Flos hinc lacrymis, Mine Philomela querelis, 
 Deducant linguae funera fola tuae. 
 
 Comparatio inter munus fummi Cancellariatus 
 et Librum. 
 
 MUNERE dum nobis prodes, Libroque futuris, 
 In laudes abeunt faecula quaeque tuas ; 
 Munere dum nobis prodes, Libroque remotis, 
 
 In laudes abeunt jam loca quaeque tuas : 
 Hae tibi funt alae laudum. Cui contigit unquam 
 Longius aeterno, latius orbe decus ? 
 
 iEthiopifla ambit Ceftum diverfi coloris virum. 
 
 QUID mihi fi facies nigra eft ? hoc, Cefte, colore 
 Sunt etiam tenebrae, quas tamen optat amor. 
 (J en us ut exufta Temper fit fronte viator ; 
 
 Ah longum, quae te deperit, errat iter. 
 Si nigro fit terra folo, quis defpicit arvum ? 
 
 Claude oculos, et erunt omnia nigra tibi : 
 Aut aperi, et cernes corpus quas projicit umbras ; 
 
 Hoc faltem officio fungar amore tui. 
 Cum mihi fit facies fumus, quas pectore flammas 
 
 Jamdudum tacite delituiffe putes ? 
 Dure, negas ? O fata mihi praefaga doloris, 
 
 Quae mihi lugubres contribuere genas ! 
 
462 Herbert's poems. 
 
 In Natales et Pafcha concurrentes. 
 
 CUM tu, Chrifte, cadis, nafcor ; mentemque ligavit 
 Una meam membris horula, teque cruci. 
 O me difparibus natum cum numine fatis ! 
 
 Cur mihi das vitam, quam tibi, Chrifte, negas ? 
 Qiiin moriar tecum : vitam, quam negligis ipfe, 
 
 Accipe ; ni talem des, tibi qualis erat. 
 Hoc mihi legatum trifti fi funere praeftes, 
 
 Chrifte, duplex flet mors tua vita mihi : 
 Atque ibi per te fanctificer natalibus ipfis, 
 
 In vitam, et nervos Pafcha coasva fluet. 
 
 Ad Johannem Donne, D.D. 
 
 DE UNO SIGILLORUM EJUS, ANCHORA ET CHRISTO. 
 
 QUOD crux nequibat fixa, clavique additi 
 (Tenere Chriftum fcilicet, ne afcenderet) 
 Tui^e Chriftum devocans facundia 
 Ultra loquendi tempus ; addit Anchora : 
 Nee hoc abunde eft tibi, nifi certae Anchorae 
 Addas Sigillum : nempe fymbolum fuae 
 Tibi dedit unda et terra certitudinis 
 
 Quondam feffus amor loquens amato, 
 Tot et tanta loquens arnica ; fcripfit 
 Tandem et feffa manus, dedit Sigillum. 
 
 Suavis erat, qui fcripta, dolens, lacerando reeludi 
 Sanctius in regno magni credebat amoris 
 (In quo fas nihil eft rumpi) donare Sigillum. 
 
 Munde, fluas fugiafque licet, nos noftraque fixi 
 Deridet motus fan&a Catena tuos. 
 
ALIA POEMATA LATINA. 465 
 
 In Obitum Sereniflimae Reginae Annae. 
 (e lachrymis cantabrigiensibus.) 
 
 QUO te, felix Anna, modo deflere licebit ? 
 Cui magnum imperium, gloria major erat : 
 i^ccvi meus torpens animus fuccumbit utrique, 
 Cui tenuis fama eft, ingeniumque minus. 
 Qiiis, nifi qui manibus Briareus, oculifque fit Argus, 
 
 Scribere te dignum vel lacrymare queat ? 
 Fruftra igitur fudo ; fupereft mihi fola voluptas, 
 
 Ouod calamum excufent Pontus et Aflra meum : 
 Namque Annae laudes coelo fcribuntur aperto, 
 
 Sed lu&us nofter fcribitur Oceano. 
 
 In Obitum Henrici Principis Walliae. 
 (ex epicedio cantabrigiensi.) 
 
 ITE leves (inquam), Parnaflia numina, mufae ! 
 Non ego vos pofthac, hederae velatus amicl:u, 
 homnis nefcio queis nodturna ad vota vocabo : 
 Sed nee Cirrhaei faltus, Libethriave arva 
 In mea dicta ruant ; non tarn mihi pendula mens eft, 
 Sic quafi Diis certem, magnos accerfere montes ; 
 Nee vaga de fummo deducam flumina monte, 
 Qualia parturiente colunt fub rupe forores : 
 Si quas mens agitet moles (dum pectora faevo 
 Tota ftupent luctu) lacrymifque exaeftuet aequis 
 Spiritus, hi mihi jam montes, hasc flumina funto : 
 Mufa, vale ! et tu, Phoebe ! dolor mea carmina diclet; 
 Hinc mihi principium : vos, o labentia mentis 
 Lumina, nutantes paullatim acquirite vires, 
 Vivite, dum mortem oftendam : fie tempora veftram 
 Non comedant famam, fie nulla oblivia potent. 
 
464 Herbert's poems. 
 
 Quare age, mens ! effare, precor, quo numine laefo ? 
 Quae fuberant caufae ? quid nos committere tantum, 
 Quod non lanigerae pecudes, non agmina luftrent ? 
 Annon longa fames, miferaeque injuria peftis 
 Poena minor fuerat, quam fatum rrincipis aegrum ? 
 Jam felix Philomela, et menti confcia Dido ! 
 Felices quos bella premunt et plurimus enfis ! 
 Non metuunt ultra ; noftra infortunia tantum 
 Fataque, Fortunafque et fpem laefere futuram. 
 Quod fi fata illi longam invidere falutem 
 Et patrio regno (fub quo jam Principe nobis 
 Quid fperare, immo quid non fperare licebat ?) 
 Debuit ifta pati prima et non nobilis aetas : 
 Aut cita mors eft danda bonis aut longa fenectus. 
 Sic laetare animos et fie oftendere gemmam 
 Excitat optatus avidos, et ventilat ignem. 
 Quare etiam nuper Pyrii de pulveris ictu 
 Principis innocuam fervaftis numina vitam 
 Ut morbi perimant, alioque in pulvere proftet. 
 Phoebe, tui puduit, quum fummo mane redires, 
 Sol fine fole tuo ! quum te turn nubibus atris 
 Totum offufcari peteres, ut nocte filenti 
 Humana aeternos agerent praecordia queftus 
 Tantum etenim veftras, Parcae, non flectit habenas 
 Tempus edax rerum, tuque o mors improba fola es 
 Cui caecas tribuit vires annofa vetuftas ! 
 Quid non mutatum eft ? requierunt flumina curfus : 
 Plus etiam veteres coelum videre remotum : 
 Cur ideo verbis trifles effundere curas 
 Expeto, tanquam haec fie noftri midecina doloris ? 
 Immodicus luctus tacito vorat igne medullas, 
 Ut fluvio currente, vadum fonat, alta quiefcunt. 
 
I 
 
 ALIA POEMATA LATINA. 4.65 
 
 NNUPTA Pallas, nata Diefpatrc ! 
 iEterna fummae gloria regiae ! 
 Cui dulcis arrident camcenae 
 Pieridis Latiaeque Muiae. 
 
 Cur tela mortis, vel tibi, vel tuis 
 Ouacunque gutta temporis imminent ? 
 Tantaque propendet ftatera 
 
 Regula fanguinolenta fati ? 
 
 Numne Hydra talis tantaque bellua eft 
 Mors tot virorum fordida fanguine, 
 Ut mucro rumpatur Minervae 
 Utque minax fuperetur iEgis ? 
 
 Tu fledHs amnes, tu mare caerulum 
 Uflifle prono fulmine diceris, 
 Ajacis exefas triemes 
 
 Praecipitans graviore cafu. 
 
 Tu difcidifti Gorgoneas manus 
 Nexas, capillos anguibus oblitos, 
 Furvofque vicifti Gigantem 
 
 Enceladum, pharetramque Rhoeci. 
 
 Ceu vifta, mufis porrigit herbulas 
 Pennata caeci dextra cupidinis, 
 Non ulla Bellonae furentis 
 Arma tui metuunt alumni. 
 
 Pallas retortis caefia vocibus 
 Refpondit ; Eia ! ne metuas, precor, 
 Nam fata non juftis repugnant 
 Principibus, fed arnica fiunt. 
 
 H H 
 
466 HERBERT'S POEMS. 
 
 Ut fi reciiis arboribus meis 
 Nudetur illic locus amabilis, 
 
 Fructufque poft mortem recufent 
 Perpetuos mini ferre rami. 
 
 Dulcem rependent turn mihi tibiam 
 Pulchre renatam ex arbore mortua, 
 Dignamque coelefti corona 
 Harmoniam dabit inter aftra. 
 
 E. Mfro. Autog. 
 
 CUM petit Infantem Princeps, Grantamque Jacobu.; 
 Quifnam horum major fit, dubitatur, amor ? 
 Vincit more fuo Nofter : nam millibus Infans 
 Non tot abeft, quot nos Regis ab ingenio. 
 
 
 V 
 
 E. Mfto. Autog. 
 
 ERO verius ergo quid fit, \ adi 
 Verum, Gallice, non Jibf er audis.