Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Video Channel
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

Christian : Protestant
Secular or Eclectic : Alchemy
17th Century

About Henry Vaughan

Timeline (1621 - 1695)

<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Henry Vaughan | Next Poem >>

Original Language
English

Unprofitableness

Themes
  Garden
  Honey
  Perfume
  Sun
  Water

 

Recommended Books

Henry Vaughan: Oxford Poetry Library, by Henry Vaughan
Henry Vaughan: Selected Writings, by Henry Vaughan / Edited by Anne Cluysenaar
Henry Vaughan: The Complete Poems, by Henry Vaughan
Metaphysical Poetry: (Penguin Classics), Edited by Colin Burrow
Metaphysical Poetry: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Edition), Edited by Paul Negri

How rich, O Lord, how fresh Thy visits are !
'Twas but just now my bleak leaves hopeless hung,
     Sullied with dust and mud ;
Each snarling blast shot through me, and did share
Their youth and beauty ; cold showers nipt, and wrung
     Their spiciness and blood ;
But since Thou didst in one sweet glance survey
Their sad decays, I flourish, and once more
     Breathe all perfumes and spice ;
I smell a dew like myrrh, and all the day
Wear in my bosom a full sun ; such store
     Hath one beam from Thy eyes.
But, ah, my God! what fruit hast Thou of this
What one poor leaf did ever I yet fall
     To wait upon Thy wreath ?
Thus Thou all day a thankless weed dost dress,
And when Th' hast done, a stench, or fog is all
     The odour I bequeath.

 

 

-- from Henry Vaughan: The Complete Poems, by Henry Vaughan

Amazon.com

 

<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Henry Vaughan | Next Poem >>


Poetry Chaikhana Home
New | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | Contact
Poets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | Commentary
Blog | Forum | Video Channel
www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.