Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOLY COMMUNION, by GEORGE HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOLY COMMUNION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Not in rich furniture, or fine array
Last Line: And leave th' earth to their food.


NOT in rich furniture, or fine array,
Nor in a wedge of gold,
Thou, who from me wast sold,
To me dost now thyself convey;
For so thou should'st without me still have been,
Leaving within me sinne:

But by the way of nourishment and strength,
Thou creep'st into my breast;
Making thy way my rest,
And thy small quantities my length;
Which spread their forces into every part,
Meeting sinnes force and art.

Yet can these not get over to my soul,
Leaping the wall that parts
Our souls and fleshly hearts;
But as th' outworks, they may controll
My rebel-flesh, and carrying thy name,
Affright both sinne and shame.

Onely thy grace, which with these elements comes,
Knoweth the ready way,
And hath the privie key,
Op'ning the souls most subtile rooms:
While those to spirits refin'd, at doore attend
Despatches from their friend.

Give me my captive soul, or take
My body also thither.
Another lift like this will make
Them both to be together.

Before that sinne turn'd flesh to stone,
And all our lump to leaven;
A fervent sigh might well have blown
Our innocent earth to heaven.

For sure, when Adam did not know
To sinne, or sinne to smother,
He might to heav'n from Paradise go,
As from one room t' another.

Thou hast restor'd us to this ease
By this thy heav'nly bloud,
Which I can go to when I please,
And leave th' earth to their food.





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