Religion
Unkindnesse.
LOrd, make me coy and tender to offend:
In friendship, first I think, if that agree,
Which I intend,
Unto my friends intent and end.
I would not use a friend, as I use Thee.
If any touch my friend, or his good name;
It is honour and my love to free
His blasted fame
From the least spot or thought of blame.
I could not use a friend, as I use Thee.
My friend may spit upon my curious floore:
Would he gave gold? I lend it instantly;
But let the poore,
And thou within them starve at doore.
I cannot use a friend, as I use Thee.
When that my friend pretendeth to a place,
I quit my interest, and leave it free:
But when thy grace
Sues for my heart, I thee displace,
Nor would I use a friend, as I use Thee.
Yet can a friend what thou hast done fulfill?
O write in brasse, My God upon a tree
His bloud did spill
Onely to purchase my good-will:
Yet use I not my foes, as I use thee.
Cite this poem
MLA
Herbert, George. “Unkindnesse.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/70/.
Chicago
Herbert, George. “Unkindnesse.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herbert/70/.
Read this poem with the Codex →