45 THE SEARCH FOR PEACE

THE SEARCH FOR PEACE Sweet Peace, where dost thou dwell? I humbly crave, Let me once know.

I sought thee in a secret cave, And ask’d, if Peace were there? A hollow wind did seem to answer, "No:-- Go seek elsewhere."

I did; and going did a rainbow note:

Surely, thought I, This is the lace of Peace’s coat:

I will search out the matter. But while I look’d, the clouds immediately Did break and scatter.

Then went I to a garden, and did spy A gallant flower, The Crown Imperial: Sure, said I, Peace at the root must dwell. But when I digg’d, I saw a worm devour What show’d so well. At length I met a reverend good old man: Whom when for Peace I did demand, he thus began:

"There was a Prince of old At Salem dwelt, who lived with good increase Of flock and fold.

"He sweetly lived; yet sweetness did not save His life from foes. But after death, out of his grave There sprang twelve stalks of wheat: Which many wondering at, got some of those To plant and set.

"It prosper’d strangely, and did soon disperse Through all the earth: For they that taste it do rehearse, That virtue lies therein; A secret virtue, bringing peace and mirth By flight of sin.

"Take of this grain, which in my garden grows, And grows for you;

Make bread of it:--and that repose And peace, which everywhere With so much earnestness you do pursue, Is only there."

_--G. Herbert_