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Home  »  The Oxford Book of English Verse  »  363. Peace

Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.

Henry Vaughan. 1621–1695

363. Peace

MY soul, there is a country 
  Far beyond the stars, 
Where stands a wingèd sentry 
  All skilful in the wars: 
There, above noise and danger,         5
  Sweet Peace sits crown’d with smiles, 
And One born in a manger 
  Commands the beauteous files. 
He is thy gracious Friend, 
  And—O my soul, awake!—  10
Did in pure love descend 
  To die here for thy sake. 
If thou canst get but thither, 
  There grows the flower of Peace, 
The Rose that cannot wither,  15
  Thy fortress, and thy ease. 
Leave then thy foolish ranges; 
  For none can thee secure 
But One who never changes— 
  Thy God, thy life, thy cure.  20