Poem for March

Lent
By Robert Herrick

                                                                        Is this a Fast, to keep
                                                                        The larder lean?
                                                                        And clean
                                                                        From fat of veals and sheep?

                                                                        Is it to quit the dish
                                                                        Of flesh, yet still
                                                                        To fill
                                                                        The platter high with fish?

                                                                        Is it to fast an hour,
                                                                        Or ragg'd go,
                                                                        Or show
                                                                        A down-cast look and sour?

                                                                        No: 'tis a Fast to dole
                                                                        Thy sheaf of wheat
                                                                        And meat
                                                                        Unto the hungry soul.

                                                                        It is to fast from strife
                                                                        And old debate,
                                                                        And hate;
                                                                        To circumcise thy life.

                                                                        To show a heart grief-rent;
                                                                        To starve thy sin,
                                                                        Not bin;
                                                                        And that's to keep thy Lent.

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