A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick






231. MATINS, OR MORNING PRAYER

     When with the virgin morning thou dost rise,
     Crossing thyself come thus to sacrifice;
     First wash thy heart in innocence; then bring
     Pure hands, pure habits, pure, pure every thing.
     Next to the altar humbly kneel, and thence
     Give up thy soul in clouds of frankincense.
     Thy golden censers fill'd with odours sweet
     Shall make thy actions with their ends to meet.

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