George Herbert (1593-1633)

Easter Wings (from The Temple, 1633)

 
LORD, who createdst man in wealth and store,   
  Though foolishly he lost the same,	 
    Decaying more and more,	 
      Till he became	 
        Most poor:	       	     5
        With thee	 
      O let me rise	 
    As larks, harmoniously,	 
  And sing this day thy victories:	 
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.	   10
  	
My tender age in sorrow did begin:	 
  And still with sicknesses and shame	 
    Thou didst so punish sine,	 
      That I became	 
        Most thin.	  		   15
        With thee	 
      Let me combine,	 
    And feel this day thy victory:	 
  For, if I imp my wing on thine,	 
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.	  20