Unprofitableness
by Henry VaughanOriginal Language English
How rich, O Lord, how fresh Thy visits are!
'Twas but just now my bleak leaves hopeless hung,
Sullied with dust and mud;
Each snarling blast shot through me, and did share
Their youth and beauty; cold showers nipt, and wrung
Their spiciness and blood;
But since Thou didst in one sweet glance survey
Their sad decays, I flourish, and once more
Breathe all perfumes and spice;
I smell a dew like myrrh, and all the day
Wear in my bosom a full sun; such store
Hath one beam from Thy eyes.
But, ah, my God! what fruit hast Thou of this
What one poor leaf did ever I yet fall
To wait upon Thy wreath?
Thus Thou all day a thankless weed dost dress,
And when Th' hast done, a stench, or fog is all
The odour I bequeath.
-- from Henry Vaughan: The Complete Poems, by Henry Vaughan |
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