Contents
-BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.
By George Herbert (15931633)
Church Music
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SWEETEST 1 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 assign’d. | |
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Now I in you without a body move, | 5 |
Rising and falling with your wings: | |
We both together sweetly live and love, | |
Yet say sometimes, God help poor Kings. | |
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Comfort, I’ll die; for if you post from me, | |
Sure I shall do so, and much more: | 10 |
But if I travel in your company, | |
You know the way to heaven’s door. | |
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Note 1. The date of Herbert’s residence at Bemerton was 1630–33, so that the reference in line 8 is probably to the growing discontent of the Puritan party. The last stanza means, It consoles me to know I shall die before the worst of the troubles: for as it is I shall be comforted with church music on my dying bed; if it were forbidden, my loss would be great, for it is the usher to the door of heaven. [back] |
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