Cruciformity

George Herbert

LORD, who createdst man in wealth and store,

     Though foolishly he lost the same,

          Decaying more and more,

             Till  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.

My  tender  age  in  sorrow  did  beginne :

     And still with sicknesses and shame

          Thou didst so punish sinne,

              That  I  became

                Most thinne.

                With  thee

              Let me combine,

          And feel this day thy victorie,

     For,  if  I  imp  my  wing  on  thine,

Affliction  shall  advance  the  flight  in  me.