On Mr. G. Herbert's Book

On Mr. G. Herbert's Book

Original Text
Richard Crashaw, Steps to the Temple (1646). Facs. edn.: Scolar Press, 1970. PR 3386 A75 1970 ROBA.
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.
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. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1646
RPO poem Editors
N. J. Endicott
RPO Edition
3RP 1.337-38.