# “Perseverance” by George Herbert

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2015/03/24/perseverance-by-george-herbert/
- Published: 2015-03-24T18:00:47-05:00
- Author: tollelege

My God, the poor expressions of my Love
 Which warm these lines, and serve them 
up to Thee Are so, as for the present I did move, Or rather as Thou movedst me.

But what shall issue, whether these my words
 Shall help another, but my judgement
be; As a burst fowling-piece doth save the birds But kill the man, is sealed with
Thee.

For who can tell, though Thou has died to win
 And wed my soul in glorious paradise;
Whether my many crimes and use of sin May yet forbid the banes and bliss.

Only my soul hangs on Thy promises
 With face and hands clinging unto Thy breast,
Clinging and crying, crying without cease, Thou art my rock, Thou art my rest.

–George Herbert, [“Perseverance,” in _Complete English Poems_](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140424555/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0140424555&linkCode=as2&tag=toletaupanre-20&linkId=FVCZRZZ354N26MFC)(
London: Penguin, 1991/2004), 192-193.

More quotes from [George Herbert](https://tollelege.net/category/george-herbert/)·
More on [Perseverance](https://tollelege.net/category/perseverance/)