Richard Crashaw (1613-1649)
On Mr. G. Herbert's Book
1Know you fair, on what you look;
2Divinest love lies in this book,
3Expecting fire from your eyes,
4To kindle this his sacrifice.
5When your hands untie these strings,
6Think you'have an angel by th' wings.
7One that gladly will be nigh,
8To wait upon each morning sigh.
9To flutter in the balmy air
10Of your well-perfumed prayer.
11These white plumes of his he'll lend you,
12Which every day to heaven will send you,
13To take acquaintance of the sphere,
14And all the smooth-fac'd kindred there.
15 And though Herbert's name do owe
16 These devotions, fairest, know
17 That while I lay them on the shrine
18 Of your white hand, they are mine.
Notes
15] owe: own.
Online text copyright © 2009, Ian Lancashire (the Department of English) and the University of Toronto.
Published by the Web Development Group, Information Technology Services, University of Toronto Libraries.
Original text: Richard Crashaw, Steps to the Temple (1646). Facs. edn.: Scolar Press, 1970. PR 3386 A75 1970 ROBA.
First publication date:
1646
RPO poem editor: N. J. Endicott
RP edition: 3RP 1.337-38.
Recent editing: 4:2002/2/12
Form: Short Couplets
Other poems by Richard Crashaw
