Monday, March 14, 2011

A True Lent

by Robert Herrick
Is this a fast, to keep
    The larder lean,
        And clean
From fat of veals and sheep?
Is it to quit the dish
    Of flesh, yet still
        To fill
The platter high with fish?
Is it to fast an hour,
    Or Ragg'd to go,
        Or show
A downcast look and sour?
No:  'tis a fast to dole
    Thy sheaf of wheat
        And meat
Unto the hungry soul.
It is to fast from strife,
    From old debate
        And hate;
To circumcise thy life.
To show a heart grief-rent
    To starve thy sin;
        Not bin:
And that's to keep thy Lent.
lent

1 comment:

Nahna said...

Very interesting holder for the candles, with Christ and cross... have not seen that before.

We are observing Lent also...William does a great job of emphasizing with Sanctuary choir, too.