Lord, how in silence I despise

Author: George Herbert
Published in 1 hymnal

Representative Text

1 Lord, how in Silence I despise
The giddy Worldling's Snare,
This Beauty, Riches, Honour, Toys
Beneath a Moments Care?

2 Hence painted Dust, and gilded Clay!
You have no Charms for me;
Delusive Breath be far away!
I waste no Thought on thee.

3 But when abroad at once i view
Both the World's Hosts and thine,
These simple, sad, afflicted, few,
Those numerous, gay and fine!

4 Lost my Resolves, my Scorn is past,
I boast my Strength no more.
A willing Slave they bind me fast
With unresisted power.

5 O brook not this! Let not thy Foes
Profane thy hallow'd Shrine;
Thine is my soul, by sacred Vows
Of strictest Union Thine!

6 O hear my just, tho' late Request,
Once more the Captive free,
Renew thy Image in my Breast,
and claim my Heart for thee.

Source: A Collection of Psalms and Hymns #B.XII

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Author: George Herbert

Herbert, George, M.A., the fifth son of Richard Herbert and Magdalen, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport, was born at his father's seat, Montgomery Castle, April 3, 1593. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1611. On March 15, 1615, he became Major Fellow of the College, M.A. the same year, and in 1619 Orator for the University. Favoured by James I., intimate with Lord Bacon, Bishop Andrewes, and other men of influence, and encouraged in other ways, his hopes of Court preferment were somewhat bright until they were dispelled by the deaths of the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hamilton, and then of King James himself. Retiring into Kent, he formed the resolution of taking Holy Orders… Go to person page >

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