To Keep a True Lent

-Robert Herrick

Is this a Fast to keep

The larder lean?

And  clean

From fat of veals and sheep?

 

Is it to quit the dish

Of flesh, yet still

To fill

The platter high with fish?

Is it to fast an hour,

Or ragg’d to go,

Or show

A down-cast look and sour?

No: ‘tis a Fast to dole

Thy sheaf of wheat

And meat

Unto the hungry soul.

It is a fast from strife

And old debate,

And hate;

To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent

To starve thy sin,

Not bin;

And that’s to keep thy Lent.

 For Reflection: