ROBERT HERRICK.

TO FIND GOD.

WEIGH me the fire; or canst thou find
A way to measure out the wind;
Distinguish all those floods that are
Mixt in that watery theatre,

And taste thou them as saltless there,
As in their channel first they were.
Tell me the people that do keep
Within the kingdoms of the deep;
Or fetch me back that cloud again,
Beshiver'd into seeds of rain.

Tell me the motes, dusts, sands, and spears
Of corn, when summer shakes his ears;
Show me that world of stars, and whence
They noiseless spill their influence:
This if thou canst, then show me Him
That rides the glorious cherubim.

To starve thy sin-
Not bin;

And that's to keep thy Lent.

TO GOD, IN HIS SICKNESS.

WHAT though my harp and viol be
Both hung upon the willow-tree?
What though my bed be now my grave,
And for my house I darkness have?
What though my healthful days are fled,
And I lie number'd with the dead?
Yet I have hope, by thy great power,
To spring-though now a wither'd flower.

HUMILITY.

HUMBLE We must be, if to heaven we go;
High is the roof there, but the gate is low :
Whene'er thou speak'st, look with a lowly eye-
Grace is increased by humility.

NO COMING TO GOD WITHOUT CHRIST.

GOOD and great God! how should I fear
To come to thee, were Christ not there!
Could I but think, He would not be
Present, to plead my cause for me,
To hell I'd rather run, than I
Would see thy face, and He not by.

A PRAYER.

I'LL hope no more,

For things that will not come,

And if they do, they prove but cumbersome:
Wealth brings much woe;

And, since it fortunes so,
"Tis better to be poor

Than so to abound,

As to be drown'd

Or overwhelm'd with store.

Pale Care, avaunt!

I'll learn to be content

With that small stock, thy bounty gave or lent.
What may conduce
To my most healthful use,
Almighty God! me grant;
But that, or this,

That hurtful is,

Deny thy suppliant.

LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

IN the hour of my distress,

When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,

Sweet Spirit, comfort me.

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts disquieted,

Sweet Spirit, comfort me.