Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
VI. Human ExperienceSaid I not so?
George Herbert (15931633)S
Witness, my God, I did;
Yet I am run again upon the score:
My faults cannot be hid.
’T will be but labor lost;
My good cannot prevail against mine ill:
The business will be crost.
Thy God may give thee at the length.
Renew thy vows, and if thou keep the last,
Thy God will pardon all that’s past.
Vow while thou canst; while thou canst vow, thou may’st
Perhaps perform it when thou thinkest least.
Whilst he permits thee but to call.
Call to thy God for grace to keep
Thy vows; and if thou break them, weep.
Weep for thy broken vows, and vow again:
Vows made with tears cannot be still in vain.
Then once again
I vow to mend my ways;
Lord, say Amen,
And thine be all the praise.