George Herbert THE CHURCH-FLOORE.    MARK you the floore ?  that square and speckled stone,                     Which looks so firm and strong,                                              Is Patience : And th’ other black and grave, wherewith each one                     Is checker’d all along,                                              Humilitie : The gentle rising, which on either hand                     Leads to the Quire above,                                              Is Confidence : But the sweet cement, which in one sure band                     Ties the whole frame, is Love                                              And Charitie.         Hither sometimes Sinne steals, and stains         The marbles neat and curious veins : But all is cleansed when the marble weeps.         Sometimes Death, puffing at the doore,         Blows all the dust about the floore : But while he thinks to spoil the room, he sweeps.         Blest be the Architect, whose art         Could build so strong in a weak heart. Source: Herbert, George. The Poetical Works of George Herbert. New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1857. 82-83. to Works of George Herbert Site ©1996-2001 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved. Created by Anniina Jokinen on July 17, 2001.