The Literary World

By George Herbert

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store;

Though foolishly he lost the same;

Decaying more and more;

Til he became

Most poor:

With thee

O let me rise

As larks, harmoniously

And sing this day thy victories:

Then shall the fall further the flight in me. too

My` tender age in sorrow did begin:

And still with sickness and shame

Thou didst so punish sin,

That I became

Most thin.

With thee

Let me combine

And feel this day thy victory

For, if I imp my wing on thine,

Affliction shall advance the flight in me

Both the title and pattern of the poem recall a passage in Malachi, which is also suggested by the son/sun pun of Easter, but unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. In paradise man had all that he needed (wealth and store) until he lost it by disobeying God.