THE HABIT OF PERFECTION
Reading edition
By Gerard Hopkins, S.J.
Elected Silence, sing to me And beat upon my whorled ear, Pipe me to pastures still and be The music that I care to hear. Shape nothing, lips; be lovely-dumb: It is the shut, the curfew sent From there where all surrenders come Which only make you eloquent. Be shelled, eyes, with double dark And find the uncreated light; This ruck and reel which you remark Coils, keeps, and teases simple sight. Palate, the hutch of tasty lust, Desire not to be rinsed with wine: The can must be so sweet, the crust So fresh that come in fasts divine! Nostrils, your careless breath that spend Upon the stir and keep of pride, What relish shall the censers send Along the sanctuary side! O feel-of-primrose hands, O feet That want the yield of plushy sward, But you shall walk the golden street, And you unhouse and house the Lord.
And, Poverty, be thou the bride And now the marriage feast begun, And lily-colored clothes provide Your spouse not labored-at, nor spun.