Quotes from Henry Vaughan

As men are killed by fighting, the truth is lost in disputing.

Mornings are mysteries; the first world's youth, Man's resurrection, and the future's bud Shroud in their births.

Some men a forward motion love, But I by backward steps would move, And when this dust falls to the urn In that state I came, return.

If thou canst but thither, There grows the flower of Peace, The Rose that cannot wither, Thy fortress and thy ease.

To God, thy country, and thy friend be true.

So stick up ivy and the bays, and then restore the heathen ways, green will remind you of the Spring, though this great day denies the thing, and mortifies the earth, and all, but your wild revels, and loose hall.

I played with fire, did counsel spurn, Made life my common stake; But never thought that fire would burn, O that a soul could ache.

Man hath still either toys or care: But hath no root, nor to one place is tied, but ever restless and irregular, about this earth doth run and ride. He knows he hath a home, but scarce knows where; He says it is so far, that he has quite forgot how to go there.

They are all gone into the world of light, and I alone sit lingering here.

Caesar had perished from the world of men Had not his sword been rescued by his pen.

There is in God - some say - A deep, but dazzling darkness; as men here Say it is late and dusky, because they See not all clear. O for that Night! where I in Him Might live invisible and dim!

Death, and darkness get you packing, Nothing now to man is lacking, All your triumphs now are ended, And what Adam marred, is mended.

Dear, beauteous death, the jewel of the just! Shining nowhere but in the dark; What mysteries do lie beyond thy dust, Could man outlook that mark!

Happy those early days, when IShin'd in my angel-infancy!Before I understood this placeAppointed for my second race.

Dear, beauteous death, the jewel of the just!Shining nowhere but in the dark;What mysteries do lie beyond thy dust,Could man outlook that mark!

My soul, there is a countryFar beyond the starsWhere stands a winged sentryAll skillful in the wars:There, above noise and danger,Sweet Peace is crown'd with smiles,And One born in a mangerCommands the beauteous files.

Prayer isThe world in tune,A spirit-voice,And vocal joys,Whose echo is heaven's bliss.O let me climbWhen I lie down!

I cannot reach it, and my striving eyeDazzles at it, as at eternity.

Dear Night! this world's defeat;The stop to busy fools; care's check and curb;The day of spirits; my soul's calm retreatWhich none disturb!Christ's progress, and His prayer-time;The hours to which high Heaven doth chime.

O joys! Infinite sweetness! with what flowersAnd shoots of glory, my soul breaks, and buds!

They are all gone into the world of light!And I alone sit lingering here;Their very memory is fair and bright,And my sad thoughts doth clear.

But felt through all this fleshly dressBright shoots of everlastingness.

...the sure tie Of thy Lord's hand, the object of His eye! When I behold thee, though my light be dim, Distinct, and low, I can in thine see Him Who looks upon thee from His glorious throne, And minds the covenant between all and One.

When thou dost shine, darkness looks white and fair, Forms turn to music, clouds to smiles and air; Rain gently spends his honey-drops, and pours Balm on the cleft earth, milk on grass and flowers. Bright pledge of peace and sunshine!