Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.
ProvidenceGeorge Herbert (15931633)
O
Strongly and sweetly movest! shall I write,
And not of thee, through whom my fingers bend
To hold my quill? shall they not do thee right?
For me and all my fellows, praise to thee:
And just it is that I should pay the rent,
Because the benefit accrues to me.
And hold it fast, as children do their fathers,
Which cry and follow. Thou hast made poore sand
Check the proud sea, even when it swells and gathers.
And make a twist checkered with night and day!
Which as it lengthens, windes and windes us in,
As bowls go on, but turning all the way.
Their master’s flower, but leave it, having done,
As fair as ever, and as fit to use:
So both the flower doth stay, and honey run.
And curious virtues both of herbs and stones?
Is there an herb for that? O that thy care
Would show a root that gives expressions!
Is by a ship the speedier passage made:
The windes, who think they rule the mariner,
Are ruled by him, and taught to serve his trade.
Your honey drops; presse not to smell them here:
When they are ripe, their odor will ascend,
And at your lodging with their thanks appeare.
Sometimes unite. The Indian nut alone
Is clothing, meat, and trencher, drink and can,
Boat, cable, sail and needle, all in one.
It go for one, hath many ways in store
To honor thee; and so each hymn thy fame
Extolleth many ways, yet this one more.