Passion Poems by George Herbert

I recently read that Herbert, the great 17th-century Anglican poet and clergyman, was a man of social commitment as well as penetrating spiritual insight.  He was briefly a member of Parliament before leaving his seat in 1624 to become a rector in small country parishes.  Scholars suggest that he had entered public service, with a vision of the "Christian commonwealth" in mind, to try to support efforts to preserve peace with Spain.  But he resigned in disillusionment when the pro-war faction succeeded in dissolving the treaty.

"The Passion"

Since blood is fittest, Lord, to write
Thy sorrows in, and bloody fight;
My heart hath store; write there, where in
One box doth lie both ink and sin:

That when sin spies so many foes,
Thy whips, thy nails, thy wounds, thy woes,
All come to lodge there, sin may say,
No room for me, and fly away.

Sin being gone, oh fill the place,
And keep possession with thy grace;
Lest sin take courage and return,
And all the writings blot or burn.

"Redemption"

Having been tenant long to a rich Lord,
Not thriving, I resolved to be bold,
And make a suit unto him, to afford
A new small-rented lease, and cancell th' old.

In heaven at his manour I him sought:
They told me there, that he was lately gone
About some land, which he had dearly bought
Long since on earth, to take possession.

I straight return'd, and knowing his great birth,
Sought him accordingly in great resorts;
In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts:
At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth 

Of thieves and murderers: there I him espied,
Who straight, Your suit is granted, said, and died.