Paradise
George Herbert
I bless thee Lord, because I GROW
Among thy trees which in a ROW
To thee both fruit and order OW.
What open force, or hidden CHARM
Can blast my fruit or bring me HARM,
While the inclosure is thine ARM?
Inclose me still for fear I START.
But to me rather sharp and TART,
Then let me want thy hand & ART.
When thou dost great judgements SPARE,
And with thy knife but prune and PARE,
Ev’n fruitful trees more fruitful ARE.
Such sharpness shows the sweetest FREND:
Such cuttings rather heal than REND:
And such beginnings touch their END.