20. Dialogue by George Herbert. Nicholson & Lee, eds. 1917. The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse

Nicholson & Lee, eds. The Oxford Book of English Mystical Verse. 1917.

20. Dialogue

By George Herbert (1593–1633)

Man SWEETEST Saviour, if my soul
Were but worth the having,
Quickly should I then controll
Any thought of waving.
But when all my cares and pains	5
Cannot give the name of gains
To Thy wretch so full of stains,
What delight or hope remains?

Saviour What, childe, is the ballance thine,
Thine the poise and measure?	10
If I say, ‘Thou shalt be Mine,’
Finger not My treasure.
What the gains in having thee
Do amount to, onely He
Who for man was sold can see;	15
That transferr’d th’ accounts to Me.

Man But as I can see no merit
Leading to this favour,
So the way to fit me for it
Is beyond my savour.	20
As the reason, then, is Thine,
So the way is none of mine:
I disclaim the whole designe;
Sinne disclaims and I resigne.

Saviour That is all:—if that I could	25
Get without repining;
And My clay, My creature, would
Follow my resigning;
That as I did freely part
With my glorie and desert,	30
Left all joyes to feel all smart—

Man Ah, no more: Thou break’st my heart.