George Herbert

Like summer friends, Flies of estate and sunneshine.

Sweet spring, full of sweet days and roses, A box where sweets compacted lie.

To write a verse or two is all the praise That I can raise.

Knowledge is folly unless grace guide it.

My meaning (dear Mother) is in these sonnets, to declare my resolution to be, that my poor abilities in poetry, shall be all and ever consecrated to God's glory.

It (my book) is a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed between God and my soul, before I could subject mine to the will of Jesus, my Master, in whose service I have now found perfect freedom.