Poem by George Herbert

Peace

SWEET Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave,
                      Let me once know. 
          I sought thee in a secret cave, 
                And ask'd, if Peace were there. 
A hollow wind did seem to answer, No:
                      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. 
But while I lookt, 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, 
                Peace at the root must dwell. 
But when I digg'd, I saw a worm devour
                      What show'd so well.

At length I met a rev'rend good old man,
                      Whom when for Peace 
          I did demand; he thus began: 
                There was a Prince of old 
At Salem dwelt, who liv'd with good increase
                      Of flock and fold.

He sweetly liv'd; yet sweetness did not save
                      His life from foes. 
           But after death out of his grave 
                 There sprang twelve stalks of wheat: 
Which many wondring at, got some of those
                      To plant and set.

It prosper'd 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
                      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 ev'ry where 
With so much earnestness you do pursue,
                       Is only there. 

1. Love (Immortal Love, authour of this great frame)
2. The Thanksgiving
3. Jordan
4. The Temper
5. Affliction

Albery Whitman Peace ("As the raindrop on a flower")

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