Logos Virtual Library: George Herbert: The Temple: The Church: The Sinner

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Temple

The Sinner

Lord, how I am all ague, when I seek

What I have treasur’d in my memorie!

Since, if my soul make even with the week,
Each seventh note by right is due to thee.
I finde there quarries of pil’d vanities,

But shreds of holinesse, that dare not venture

To shew their face, since crosse to thy decrees.
There the circumference earth is, heav’n the centre.
In so much dregs the quintessence is small:

The spirit and good extract of my heart

Comes to about the many hundredth part.
Yet Lord restore thine image, heare my call:

And though my hard heart scarce to thee can grone,

Remember that thou once didst write in stone.