Robert Herrick, English, 1591 – 1674
Is this a Fast, to keep
The Larder lean?
And cleane
From fat of Veales, 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 rag’d to go,
Or show
A down-cast look, and sowre?
No: ’tis a Fast, to dole
Thy sheaf of wheat,
And meat,
Unto the hungry Soule.
It is to fast from strife,
From old debate,
And hate;
To circumcise thy life.
To shew a heart grief-rent;
To sterve thy sin,
Not bin;
And that’s to keep thy Lent.