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The voices / 17 fragments

Henry Vaughan

1621 AD — 1695 AD

Listed in the author section of Bartlett’s ninth-edition anthology, in the linked 1905 printing. Dates reflect that historical edition and may differ from modern scholarship.

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▷ Play this voiceSearch within this voice ↗Place in time ↗deathjusticemindlifeknowledgenaturetimepeace
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07Undated
Since I in storms most used to be, And seldom yielded flowers, How shall I get a wreath for thee From those rude barren hours? The softer dressings of the spring, Or summer’s later store, I will not for thy temples bring, Which thorns, not roses, wore: But a twined wreath of grief and praise, Praise soiled with tears, and tears again Shining with joy, like dewy days, This day I bring for all thy pain, Thy causeless pain; and as sad death, Which sadness breeds in the most vain, O not in vain; now beg thy breath, Thy quick’ning breath, which gladly bears Through saddest clouds to that glad place Where cloudless quires sing without tears, Sing thy just praise, and see thy face.
Henry Vaughan / quote
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08Undated
Still young and fine, but what is still in view, We slight as old and soil’d, though fresh and new; How bright wert thou when Shem’s admiring eye Thy burnished flaming arch did first descry; When Zarah, Nahor, Haran, Abram, Lot, The youthful world’s grey fathers, in one knot, Did, with intentive looks, watch every hour For thy new light, and trembled at each shower! When thou dost shine, darkness looks white and fair; Forms turn to music, clouds to smiles and air; Rain gently spreads his honey-drops, and pours Balm on the cleft earth, milk on grass and flowers. Bright pledge of peace and sunshine, the sure tye Of the Lord’s hand, the object of his eye; When I behold thee, though my light be dim, Distant, and low, I can in thine see Him Who looks upon thee from His glorious throne, And minds the covenant betwixt all and One.
Henry Vaughan / quote
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09Undated
When first thy eyes unveil, give thy soul leave To do the like; our bodies but forerun The spirit’s duty; true hearts spread and heave Unto their God, as flowers do the sun: Give Him thy first thoughts then, so shalt thou keep Him company all day, and in Him sleep. Yet never sleep the sun up; prayer should Dawn with the day, there are set awful hours ’Twixt Heaven and us; the manna was not good After sun-rising, for day sullies flowers. Rise to prevent the sun; sleep doth sins glut, And Heaven’s gate opens when the world’s is shut. Walk with thy fellow-creatures; note the hush And whisperings amongst them. Not a spring Or leaf but hath his morning hymn; each bush And oak doth know I Am—canst thou not sing? O leave thy cares and follies! Go this way, And thou art sure to prosper all the day. Mornings are mysteries: the first world’s youth, Man’s resurrection, and the future’s bud, Shroud in their births; the crown of life, light, truth, Is styled their star; the stone and hidden food: Three blessings wait upon them, one of which Should move—They make us holy, happy, rich.
Henry Vaughan / quote
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10Undated
My soul, there is a country Far beyond the stars, Where stands a winged sentry All skilful in the wars; There above noise and danger Sweet peace sits crown’d with smiles; And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files. He is thy gracious friend, And oh! my soul, awake; Did in pure love descend To die here for my sake. If thou canst get but thither, There grows the flower of peace; The rose that cannot wither, Thy fortress and thy ease Leave then thy foolish ranges; For none can thee secure, But one who never changes, Thy God, thy life, thy cure.
Henry Vaughan / quote
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