Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | | | IV. Sabbath: Worship: Creed | | Peace | | George Herbert (1593–1633) |
| | | SWEET Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, | |
| Let me once know. | |
| I sought thee in a secret cave; | |
| And asked if Peace were there. | |
| A hollow wind did seem to answer, “No! | 5 |
| Go, seek elsewhere.” | |
| |
| I did; and, going, did a rainbow note: | |
| “Surely,” thought I, | |
| “This is the lace of Peace’s coat. | |
| I will search out the matter.” | 10 |
| But, while I looked, the clouds immediately | |
| Did break and scatter. | |
| |
| Then went I to a garden, and did spy | |
| A gallant flower,— | |
| The crown-imperial. “Sure,” said I, | 15 |
| “Peace at the root must dwell.” | |
| But, when I digged, I saw a worm devour | |
| What showed so well. | |
| |
| At length I met a reverend, good old man; | |
| Whom when for Peace | 20 |
| I did demand, he thus began: | |
| “There was a prince of old | |
| At Salem dwelt, who lived with good increase | |
| Of flock and fold. | |
| |
| “He sweetly lived; yet sweetness did not save | 25 |
| His life from foes. | |
| But, after death, out of his grave | |
| There sprang twelve stalks of wheat; | |
| Which many wondering at, got some of those | |
| To plant and set. | 30 |
| |
| “It prospered strangely, and did soon disperse | |
| Through all the earth. | |
| For they that taste it do rehearse, | |
| That virtue lies therein,— | |
| A secret virtue, bringing peace and mirth, | 35 |
| By flight of sin. | |
| |
| “Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, | |
| And grows for you: | |
| Make bread of it; and that repose | |
| And peace which everywhere | 40 |
| With so much earnestness you do pursue, | |
| Is only there.” | | | | |
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