Logos Virtual Library: George Herbert: The Temple: The Church: The Church-floore

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Temple

The Church-floore

Mark you the floore? that square and speckled stone

Which looks so firm and strong,

Is Patience:

And th’ other black and grave, wherewith each one

Is checker’d all along,

Humilitie:

The gentle rising, which on either hand

Leads to the Quire above,

Is Confidence:

But the sweet cement, which in one sure band

Ties the whole frame, is Love

And Charitie.

Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains

The marbles neat and curious veins:
But all is cleansed when the marble weeps.

Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore,

Blows all the dust about the floore:
But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps.

Blest be the Architect, whose art

Could build so strong in a weak heart.