Such Glorious Gifts

Whitsunday

Listen sweet Dove unto my song, 
And spread thy golden wings in me; 
Hatching my tender heart so long, 
Till it get wing, and fly away with thee.

Where is that fire which once descended
On thy Apostles? thou didst then
Keep open house, richly attended, 
Feasting all comers by twelve chosen men.

Such glorious gifts thou didst bestow, 
That th’earth did like a heav’n appear; 
The stars were coming down to know
If they might mend their wages, and serve here.

The sun which once did shine alone, 
Hung down his head, and wisht for night, 
When he beheld twelve suns for one
Going about the world, and giving light.

But since those pipes of gold, which brought
That cordial water to our ground, 
Were cut and martyr’d by the fault 
Of those, who did themselves through their side wound, 

Thou shutt’st the door, and keep’st within; 
Scarce a good joy creeps through the chink: 
And if the braves of conqu’ring sin
Did not excite thee, we should wholly sink.

Lord, though we change, thou art the same; 
The same sweet God of love and light: 
Restore this day, for thy great name, 
Unto his ancient and miraculous right.

George Herbert, 1593-1633