Love

The Sacrifice, by way of Discourse betwixt himselfe and Julia.

by Robert Herrick 1591–1674

From Hesperides (1648)

Love

COme and let's in solemn wise
Both addresse to sacrifice:
Old Religion first commands
That we wash our hearts, and hands.
Is the beast exempt from staine,
Altar cleane, no fire prophane?
Are the Garlands, Is the Nard

Ready here? All well prepar'd,
With the Wine that must be shed
(Twixt the hornes) upon the head
Of the holy Beast we bring
For our Trespasse-offering.

All is well; now next to these
Put we on pure Surplices;
And with Chaplets crown'd, we'l rost
With perfumes the Holocaust:
And (while we the gods invoke)
Reade acceptance by the smoake.

MLA

Herrick, Robert. “The Sacrifice, by way of Discourse betwixt himselfe and Julia.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/879/.

Chicago

Herrick, Robert. “The Sacrifice, by way of Discourse betwixt himselfe and Julia.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/herrick/879/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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