Peace by George Herbert

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 looked 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 digged, I saw a worm devour
What showed so well

At length I met a rev'rend 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 wond'ring at, got some of those
To plant and set

It prospered 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 ev'ry where
With so much earnestness you do pursue
Is only there