Conscience

written by


« Reload image

  Peace, pratler, do not lowre:
Not a fair look, but thou dost call it foul:
Not a sweet dish, but thou dost call it sowre:
  Musick to thee doth howl.
  By listning to thy chatting fears
  I have both lost mine eyes and eares.

  Pratler, no more, I say:
My thoughts must work, but like a noiseless sphere,
Harmonious peace must rock them all the day:
  No room for prattlers there.
  If thou persistest, I will tell thee,
  That I have physick to expell thee.

  And the receit shall be
My Saviour's bloud; whenever at his board
I do but taste it, straight it cleanseth me,
  And leaves thee not a word;
  No, not a tooth or nail to scratch,
  And at my actions carp, or catch.

  Yet if thou talkest still,
Besides my physick, know there's some for thee:
Some wood and nails to make a staffe or bill
  For those that trouble me:
  The bloudie cross of my deare lord
  Is both my physick and my sword.

© George Herbert