Robert Herrick (1592-1674) was an Anglican cleric of the 17th century. He was vicar of Dean Prior in the county of Devon. From this parish he was ejected by the Puritans and restored by King Charles II. This poem appears in the ‘Divine Office’ of the Catholic Church, and I have found it quoted on American Catholic sites, which do not always seem to be aware of his background. How good it is to see the Anglican spiritual patrimony already bedding down in the Catholic Church.
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 to go?
Or show
A downcast 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,
From 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.
Are you planning a series on Anglican Divines?
Do you know this one?
http://aclerkofoxford.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/white-lent.html