The Hesperides & Noble Numbers/Hesperides/Matins; or, Morning Prayer

by Robert Herrick

320. MATINS; OR, MORNING PRAYER.

When with the virgin morning thou dost rise,
Crossing thyself, come thus to sacrifice;
First wash thy heart in innocence, then bring
Pure hands, pure habits, pure, pure everything.
Next to the altar humbly kneel, and thence
Give up thy soul in clouds of frankincense.
Thy golden censers, fill'd with odours sweet,
Shall make thy actions with their ends to meet.