Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
VI. Human ExperienceA True Lent
Robert Herrick (15911674)I
The larder lean,
And clean
From fat of veals and sheep?
Of flesh, yet still
To fill
The platter high with fish?
Or ragg’d to go,
Or show
A downcast look, and sour?
Thy sheaf of wheat,
And meat,
Unto the hungry soul.
From old debate
And hate,—
To circumcise thy life.
To starve thy sin,
Not bin,—
And that ’s to keep thy Lent.