- You who loved me when I deserved it the least, you who made space for me in the biggest chambers of your heart, how will you let me love you back at this hour of separation? With an aching heart I say goodbye, but there is no such thing as distance when love is the glue.
- Teach me that philosophy which cries and laughs and dances, something I could whisper into a dying man’s ears.
- So long as man can imagine another heaven and another hell, the strife will continue. What is my next heaven? What bait have I dropped and what bait awaits for me in the wooded valleys of the East?
- What a funny play we get to spectate, all the sentrymen have disguised themselves in the clothes of the burglars they’re so keen on catching.
- Buddha and Mara, what a suspicious pair! Which one is Tom and which one is Jerry?
Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
(Love, Herbert)