George Herbert(1593–1633)
The Elixir
T e a c h m e , m y G o d a n d King,
In all t h i n g s t h e e to s e e ,
A n d w h a t I do in a n y t h i n g ,
To do it as for t h e e .
N o t rudely, as a b e a s t ,
T o run i n t o a n a c t i o n ;
B u t still t o m a k e t h e e p r e p o s s e s t , 7
And give it his 0 perfection.its
A m a n that looks on glass,
On it may stay his eye,
Or, if he p l e a s e t h , t h r o u g h it pass,
A n d t h e n t h e h e a v e n espy.
All m a y o f t h e e partake:
N o t h i n g c a n b e s o m e a n
Which with his tincture (for thy sake)
W i l l n o t g r o w bright a n d c l e a n . 8
A servant w i t h this c l a u s e
M a k e s drudgery divine:
W h o s w e e p s a r o o m as for thy laws,
M a k e s that a n d th' a c t i o n f i n e .
T h i s i s t h e f a m o u s s t o n e
T h a t t u r n e t h all to gold;
For that w h i c h G o d d o t h t o u c h 9 a n d o w n
Cannot for less be told. 0measured