When first thine eyes unveil, give thy soul leave <br />To do the like: our bodies but forerun <br />The spirit's duty. True hearts spread and heave <br />Unto their God, as flowers do to the sun. <br />Give Him thy first thoughts then; so shalt thou keep <br />Him company all day, and in Him sleep. <br /> <br />Yet never sleep the sun up: Prayer should <br />Dawn with the day. There are set awful hours <br />'Twixt Heaven and us. The manna was not good <br />After sunrising: far day sullies flowers. <br />Rise to prevent the sun: sleep doth sin's glut, <br />And Heaven's gate opens, when this world's shut. <br /> <br />Walk with thy fellow-creatures; note the hush <br />And whispers amongst them. There's not a spring <br />Or leaf but hath his morning hymn; each bush <br />And oak doth know <br />I AM <br />. Canst thou not sing? <br /> <br />O leave thy cares and follies! go this way, <br />And thou art sure to prosper all the day. <br /> <br />To heighten thy devotions, and keep low <br />All mutinous thoughts, what business e'er thou hast, <br />Observe God in his works; how fountains flow, <br />Birds sing, beasts feed, fish leap, and th' earth stands fast; <br />Above are restless motions, running lights, <br />Vast circling azure, giddy clouds, days, nights. <br /> <br />When seasons change, then lay before thine eyes <br />His wondrous method; mark the various scenes <br />In Heaven; hail, thunder, rainbows, snow, and ice, <br />Calms, tempests, light and darkness, by his means; <br />Thou canst not miss his praise; each tree, herb, flower, <br />Are shadows of his wisdom, and his power.<br /><br />Henry Vaughan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/rules-and-lessons/
