Is it to quit the dish To fill The platter high with fish? Is it to fast an hour, Or ragg'd to go, Or show A downcast look, and sour? No! 't is a fast to dole Thy sheaf of wheat, Unto the hungry soul. It is to fast from strife, To circumcise thy life. To show a heart grief-rent; To starve thy sin, Not bin, And that's to keep thy Lent. ROBERT HERRICK. FROM "THE CHURCH PORCH." THOU whose sweet youth and early hopes enhance When thou dost purpose aught (within thy power), Be sure to doe it, though it be but small; Who breaks his own bond, forfeiteth himself: By all means use sometimes to be alone. He breaks up house, turns out of doores his In clothes, cheap handsomenesse doth bear the bell. Wisdome's a trimmer thing than shop e'er gave. Much curiousnesse is a perpetual wooing; When once thy foot enters the church, be bare. God is more there than thou; for thou art there Only by his permission. Then beware, And make thyself all reverence and fear. Kneeling ne'er spoiled silk stockings; quit thy state; All equal are within the church's gate. Resort to sermons, but to prayers most: Stay not for th' other pin: why thou hast lost Judge not the preacher; for he is thy judge: The worst speak something good: if all want God takes a text, and preacheth Pa-ti-ence. GEORGE HERBERT. BRIEFS. WATER TURNED INTO WINE. THE Conscious water saw its God and blushed. THE WIDOW'S MITES. Two mites, two drops, yet all her house and land, Fall from a steady heart, though trembling hand: The other's wanton wealth foams high, and brave; The other cast away, she only gave. 66 TWO WENT UP TO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY." Two went to pray? O, rather say, One stands up close and treads on high, |