Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Henry Vaughan

Timeline (1621 - 1695)

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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

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Henry Vaughan

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World