The book was published under the name of The Temple.  All the poems are short except the first, called The Church Porch.  From that I will quote a few lines.  It begins: 

    “Thou whose sweet youth and early hopes enchance
    Thy rate and price, and mark thee for a treasure,
    Hearken unto a Verser, who may chance
    Ryme thee to good, and make a bait of pleasure. 
        A verse may find him who a sermon flies,
        And turn delight into a sacrifice.
    . . . . . . . 
    “Lie not, but let thy heart be true to God,
    Thy mouth to it, thy actions to them both: 
    Cowards tell lies, and those that fear the rod;
    The stormy-working soul spits lies and froth
        Dare to be true:  nothing can need a lie;
        A fault which needs it most, grows two thereby.
    . . . . . . . 
    “Art thou a magistrate? then be severe: 
    If studious, copy fair what Time hath blurr’d,
    Redeem truth from his jaws:  if soldier,
    Chase brave employment with a naked sword
        Throughout the world.  Fool not; for all may have,
        If they dare try, a glorious life, or grave.
    . . . . . . . 
    “Do all things like a man, not sneakingly;
    Think the King sees thee still; for his King does. 
    Simpring is but a lay-hypocrisy;
    Give it a corner and the clue undoes. 
        Who fears to do ill set himself to task,
        Who fears to do well sure should wear a mask.”

There is all the strong courage in these lines of the courtier-parson.  They make us remember that before he put on his priest’s robe he wore a sword.  They are full of the fearless goodness that was the mark of his gentle soul.  And now, to end the chapter, I will give you another little poem full of beauty and tenderness.  It is called The Pulley.  Herbert often gave quaint names to his poems, names which at first sight seem to have little meaning.  Perhaps you may be able to find out why this is called The Pulley.

        “When God at first made man,
    Having a glass of blessings standing by,
    ‘Let us,’ said He, ’pour on him all we can;
    Let the world’s riches which dispersed lie,
        Contract into a span.’

        “So strength first made way,
    Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure;
    When almost all was out, God made a stay,
    Perceiving that, alone of all His treasure,
        Rest in the bottom lay.

        “‘For if I should,’ said He,
    ’Bestow this jewel on My creature,
    He would adore My gifts instead of Me,
    And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: 
        So both should losers be.

        “’Yet let him keep the rest,
    But keep them with repining restlessness;
    Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
    If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
        May toss him to my breast.’”