Vain wits and eyes

by Henry Vaughan


Original Language English

Vain wits and eyes
Leave, and be wise
Abuse not, shun not holy fire,
But with true tears wash off your mire.
Tears and these flames will soon grow kind,
And mix an eye-salve for the blind.
Tears cleanse and supple without fail,
And fire will purge your callous veil,
Then comes the light! which when you spy,
And see your nakedness thereby,
Praise Him, who dealt His gifts so free
In tears to you, in fire to me.

-- from Henry Vaughan: The Complete Poems, by Henry Vaughan

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The Longing in Between: Sacred Poetry from Around the World (A Poetry Chaikhana Anthology) The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse Henry Vaughan: The Complete Poems Metaphysical Poetry: (Penguin Classics) Henry Vaughan: Selected Writings
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Vain wits and eyes