- The Forerunners
- by George Herbert
- Exported from Wikisource on 02/07/20
- For works with similar titles, see The Forerunners.
- The harbingers are come. See, see their mark;
- White is their colour, and behold my head.
- But must they have my brain? must they dispark
- Those sparkling notions, which therein were bred?
- Must dulnesse turn me to a clod?
- Yet have they left me, Thou art still my God.
- Good men ye be, to leave me my best room,
- Ev’n all my heart, and what is lodged there:
- I passe not, I, what of the rest become,
- So Thou art still my God, be out of fear.
- He will be pleased with that dittie;
- And if I please him, I write fine and wittie.
- Farewell sweet phrases, lovely metaphors.
- But will ye leave me thus? when ye before
- Of stews and brothels onely knew the doores,
- Then did I wash you with my tears, and more,
- Brought you to Church well drest and clad:
- My God must have my best, ev’n all I had.
- Louely enchanting language, sugar-cane,
- Hony of roses, whither wilt thou flie?
- Hath some fond lover tic’d thee to thy bane?
- And wilt thou leave the Church, and love a stie?
- Fie, thou wilt soil thy broider’s coat,
- And hurt thyself, and him that sings the note.
- Let foolish lovers, if they will love dung,
- And canvas, not with arras, clothe their shame:
- Let follie speak in her own native tongue.
- True beautie dwells on high: ours is a flame
- But borrow’d thence to light us thither.
- Beautie and beauteous words should go together.
- Yet if you go, I passe not; take your way:
- For, Thou art still my God, is all that ye
- Perhaps with more embellishment can say,
- Go birds of spring: let winter have his fee,
- Let a bleak palenesse chalk the doore,
- So all within be livelier then before.
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