Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHURCH FLOORE, by GEORGE HERBERT



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THE CHURCH FLOORE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mark you the floore? That square & speckled stone
Last Line: Could build so strong in a weak heart.
Variant Title(s): The Church-floor
Subject(s): Churches; Cathedrals


MARK you the floore? That square and speckled stone
Which looks so firm and strong,
Is Patience:

And th' other black and grave, wherewith each one
Is checker'd all along,
Humilitie:

The gentle rising, which on either hand
Leads to the quire above,
Is Confidence:

But the sweet cement, which in one sure band
Ties the whole frame, is Love
And Charitie.

Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains
The marbles neat and curious veins:
But all is cleansed when the marble weeps.
Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore,
Blows all the dust about the floore;
But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps.
Blest be the Architect, whose art
Could build so strong in a weak heart.





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