Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The Worlds Best Poetry. Volume IV. The Higher Life. 1904. | | VI. Human Experience | Said I not so? | George Herbert (15931633) |
| SAID I not so,that I would sin no more? | |
Witness, my God, I did; | |
Yet I am run again upon the score: | |
My faults cannot be hid. | |
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What shall I do?make vows and break them still? | 5 |
T will be but labor lost; | |
My good cannot prevail against mine ill: | |
The business will be crost. | |
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O, say not so; thou canst not tell what strength | |
Thy God may give thee at the length. | 10 |
Renew thy vows, and if thou keep the last, | |
Thy God will pardon all thats past. | |
Vow while thou canst; while thou canst vow, thou mayst | |
Perhaps perform it when thou thinkest least. | |
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Thy God hath not denied thee all, | 15 |
Whilst he permits thee but to call. | |
Call to thy God for grace to keep | |
Thy vows; and if thou break them, weep. | |
Weep for thy broken vows, and vow again: | |
Vows made with tears cannot be still in vain. | 20 |
Then once again | |
I vow to mend my ways; | |
Lord, say Amen, | |
And thine be all the praise. | | | |
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