The Book
Eternal God!
Maker of
That have lived here since the man's fall:
The Rock of Ages! in whose
They live unseen, when here they fade;
Thou knew'st this paper when it was Mere seed, and after that but grass;
Before 'twas dressed or spun, and
Made linen, who did wear it then:
What were their lives, their thoughts, and deeds,
Whether good corn or fruitless weeds.
Thou knew'st this tree when a green
Covered it, since a cover made,
And where it flourished, grew, and spread,
As if it never should be dead.
Thou knew'st this harmless beast when
Did live and feed by Thy
On each green thing; then slept — well fed — Clothed with this skin which now lies spreadA covering o'er this aged book;
Which makes me wisely weep, and
On my own dust; mere dust it is,
But not so dry and clean as this.
Thou knew'st and saw'st them all, and
Now scattered thus, dost know them so.
O knowing, glorious Spirit!
Thou shalt restore trees, beasts, and men,
When Thou shalt make all new again,
Destroying only death and pain,
Give him amongst Thy works a
Who in them loved and sought Thy face!
Henry Vaughan
Other author posts
The Dedication
To my most merciful, my most loving, and dearly loved ER, the ever blessed, the only LY and ST
The Incarnation And Passion
RD, when Thou didst Thyself undress, Laying by Thy robes of glory, To make us more, Thou wouldst be less, And becam'st a woful story To put on clouds instead of light, And clothe the morning-star with dust,
The Water-Fall
With what deep murmurs through time's silent Doth thy transparent, cool, and wat'ry wealth Here flowing fall, And chide, and call, As if his liquid, loose retinue Ling'ring, and were of this steep place afraid; The common pass Where...
Rules And Lessons
When first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like: our bodies but The spirit's duty True hearts spread and Unto their God, as flowers do to the sun
