Religion

Employment.

by George Herbert 1593–1633

Religion

HE that is weary, let him sit.
My soul would stirre
And trade in courtesies and wit,
Quitting the furre
To cold complexions needing it.

… is no… …rre, but a quick coal
Of mortall fire:
… blows it not, nor doth controll
A faint desire,
… his own ashes choke his soul.

…en th' elements did for place contest
With him, whose will
…dain'd the highest to be best;
The earth sat still,
…d by the others is opprest.

…fe is a businesse, not good cheer;
Ever in warres.
…e sunne still shineth there or here,
Whereas the starres
…atch an advantage to appeare.

Oh that I were an Orenge-tree,
That busie plant!
…hen should I ever laden be,
And never want
Some fruit for him that dressed me.

But we are still too young or old;
The man is gone,
Before we do our wares unfold:
So we freeze on,
Untill the grave increase our cold.

MLA

Herbert, George. “Employment.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/56/.

Chicago

Herbert, George. “Employment.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/56/.

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