Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.

V. Death and Bereavement

Virtue Immortal

George Herbert (1593–1633)

SWEET DAY, so cool, so calm, so bright,

The bridall of the earth and skie;

The dew shall weep thy fall to-night;

For thou must die.

Sweet Rose, whose hue angrie and brave

Bids the rash gazer wipe his eye,

Thy root is ever in its grave,

And all must die.

Sweet Spring, full of sweet dayes and roses,

A box where sweets compacted lie,

Thy musick shows ye have your closes,

And all must die.

Onely a sweet and vertuous soul,

Like seasoned timber, never gives;

But, though the whole world, turn to coal,

Then chiefly lives.