George Herbert(1593–1633)
Vanity (I)
The fleet astronomer can borepierce
And thread the spheres 3 with his quick-piercing mind:
He views their stations, walks from door to door,
Surveys, as if he had designed
To m a k e a p u r c h a s e there; he s e e s their d a n c e s ,
A n d k n o w e t h l o n g b e f o r e
B o t h their f u l l - e y e d a s p e c t s , 4 a n d s e c r e t g l a n c e s .
T h e n i m b l e diver w i t h his side5
Cuts through the working waves, that he may fetch
His dearly-earned pearl, which God did hide
On purpose from the venturous wretch;
T h a t h e m i g h t save his life, a n d a l s o hers
W h o w i t h e x c e s s i v e pride
H e r o w n d e s t r u c t i o n a n d his d a n g e r w e a r s .
T h e s u b t l e c h y m i c 0 c a n divestchemist
A n d strip t h e c r e a t u r e n a k e d , till h e f i n d
The callow 0 principles within their nest:bald, immature
There he imparts to them his mind,
A d m i t t e d t o their b e d - c h a m b e r , 6 b e f o r e
T h e y a p p e a r trim a n d d r e s s e d
To ordinary suitors at t h e door.
W h a t h a t h n o t m a n s o u g h t o u t a n d f o u n d ,
B u t his dear G o d ? w h o yet his glorious l a w
E m b o s o m s i n us, m e l l o w i n g t h e g r o u n d
W i t h s h o w e r s a n d frosts, w i t h love a n d a w e ,
S o that w e n e e d n o t say, "Where's this c o m m a n d ? "
P o o r m a n , t h o u s e a r c h e s t r o u n d
T o f i n d o u t d e a t h , b u t m i s s e s t life a t h a n d .