George Herbert

Quotes

1. Who would have thought my shrivel'd heart

   Could have recovered greenness?

2. 

   Whereas if the heart be moved,

   Although the verse be somewhat scant,

   God doth supply the want.

3. 

   Thy rope of sands,

   Which petty thoughts have made, and made to thee

   Good cable, to enforce and draw,

   And be thy law,

   While thou didst wink and wouldst not see.

4. 

   Surely if each saw another's heart,

   There would be no commerce,

   No sale or bargain pass: all would disperse,

   And live apart.

5. 

   Most things move th' under-jaw; the Crocodile not.

   Most things sleep lying; th' Elephant leans or stands.

6. 

   I struck the board, and cry'd, No more.

   I will abroad.

   What? shall I ever sigh and pine?

   My lines and life are free; free as the road,

   Loose as the wind, as large as store.

   Shall I be still in suit?

   Have I no harvest but a thorn

   To let me blood, and not restore

   What I have lost with cordial fruit?

   Sure there was wine

   Before my sighs did dry it: there was corn

   Before my tears did drown it;

   Is the year only lost to me?

   Have I no bays to crown it?

7. 

   But as I rav'd and grew more fierce and wild

   At every word,

   Methought I heard one calling, Child!

   And I reply'd, My Lord.

8. 

   The fineness which a hymn or psalm affords

   If when the soul unto the lines accords.

9. 

   Throw away thy rod;

   Though man frailties hath,

   Thou art God:

   Throw away thy wrath.

10. 

    Let him be rich and weary, that at least,

    If goodness lead him not, yet weariness

    May toss him to my breast.

11. 

    Call in thy death's head there: tie up thy fears.

12. 

    Teach me, my God and King,

    In all things thee to see

    And what I do in any thing,

    To do it as for thee.