Robert Herrick. To The King, To Cure The Evil.

TO THE KING, TO CURE THE EVIL.
by Robert Herrick

TO find that tree of life whose fruits did feed
And leaves did heal all sick of human seed :
To find Bethesda and an angel there
Stirring the waters, I am come ; and here,
At last, I find (after my much to do)
The tree, Bethesda and the angel too :
And all in your bless’d hand, which has the powers
Of all those suppling-healing herbs and flowers.
To that soft charm, that spell, that magic bough,
That high enchantment, I betake me now,
And to that hand (the branch of heaven’s fair tree),
I kneel for help ; O ! lay that hand on me,
Adored Cæsar ! and my faith is such
I shall be heal’d if that my king but touch.
The evil is not yours : my sorrow sings,
“Mine is the evil, but the cure the king’s".

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 74.

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