11 November 2007 | Vol. 7, No. 3

The World

by GEORGE HERBERT

Love built a stately house, where Fortune came,

And spinning fancies, she was heard to say

That her fine cobwebs did support the frame,

Whereas they were supported by the same;

But Wisdom quickly swept them all away.

The Pleasure came, who, liking not the fashion,

Began to make balconies, terraces,

Till she had weakened all by alteration;

But reverend laws, and many a proclomation

Reforméd all at length with menaces.

Then entered Sin, and with that sycamore

Whose leaves first sheltered man from drought and dew,

Working and winding slily evermore,

The inward walls and summers cleft and tore;

But Grace shored these, and cut that as it grew.

Then Sin combined with death in a firm band,

To raze the building to the very floor;

Which they effected,—none could them withstand;

But Love and Grace took Glory by the hand,

And built a braver palace than before.