On Mr G Herbert's Book by Alice Meynell — Read

"Entitled", ‘"The Temple of Sacred Poems",' "sent to a Gentlewoman"

KNOW you, fair, on what you look?

Divinest love lies in this book,

Expecting fire from your eyes,

To kindle this his sacrifice.

When your hands untie these strings,

Think you've an angel by the wings;

One that gladly will be nigh / To wait upon each morning sigh, / To flutter in the balmy air / Of your well perfumed prayer.

These white plumes of his he'll lend you, / Which every day to heaven will send you, / To take acquaintance of the sphere, / And all the smooth-faced kindred there.

And though Herbert's name do owe / These devotions, fairest, know / That while I lay them on the shrine / Of your white hand, they are mine.