LenTree For George Herbert

Day 5: First Sunday

Church-music

Sweetest of sweets, I thank you: when displeasure

               Did through my body wound my mind,

You took me thence, and in your house of pleasure

               A dainty lodging me assigned.

     

Now I in you without a body move,

               Rising and falling with your wings:

We both together sweetly live and love,

               Yet say sometimes, God help poor Kings.

     

Comfort, I’ll die; for if you post from me,

               Sure I shall do so, and much more:

But if I travel in your company,

               You know the way to heaven’s door.

1633 Edition

George Herbert at Bemerton

Holy Baptism (I)

As he that sees a dark and shady grove,

     Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky;

     So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove

More backward still, and to that water fly,

Which is above the heav'ns, whose spring and vent

     Is in my dear Redeemer's piercéd side.

     O blessed streams! either you do prevent

And stop our sins from growing thick and wide,

Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow.

     In you Redemption measures all my time,

     And spreads the plaster equal to the crime.

You taught the Book of Life my name, that so

     What ever future sins should me miscall,

     Your first acquaintance might discredit all.

1633 Edition


Music: Orlande de Lassus (c.1532-94, Flemish), "Music Is The Highest Gift Of God."


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