The Sinner

George Herbert 1593 (Montgomery) – 1633 (Bemerton)



Lord, how I am all ague, when I seek
What I have treasur'd in my memory!
Since, if my soul make even with the week,
Each seventh note by right is due to thee.
I find there quarries of pil'd vanities,
But shreds of holiness, that dare not venture
To show their face, since cross to thy decrees:
There the circumference earth is, heav'n the centre.
In so much dregs the quintessence is small:
The spirit and good extract of my heart
Comes to about the many hundredth part.
Yet Lord restore thine image, hear my call:
And though my hard heart scarce to thee can groan,
Remember that thou once didst write in stone.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 29, 2023

36 sec read
107

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABCDCDEFFEGG
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 613
Words 117
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 14

George Herbert

The Very Reverend Honourable George Herbert was an Anglican priest. more…

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