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

George Herbert

George Herbert (1593-1633)

The Temple

Nature

Full of rebellion, I would die,

Or fight, or travell, or denie
That thou hast ought to do with me.

O tame my heart;

It is thy highest art
To captivate strong holds to thee.

If thou shalt let this venome lurk,

And in suggestions fume and work,
My soul will turn to bubbles straight,

And thence by kinde

Vanish into a winde,
Making thy workmanship deceit.

O smooth my rugged heart, and there

Engrave thy rev’rend law and fear;
Or make a new one, since the old

Is saplesse grown,

And a much fitter stone
To hide my dust, then thee to hold.