The Church-floore
The Stones of the Floor
The church floor is allegorized as a pattern of virtues—Patience, Humility, Confidence, and Love—that build up the soul.
Do you see the floor? That square and speckled stone, which looks so firm and strong, is Patience. The other, black and solemn, with which everyone is checkered throughout, is Humility: The gentle rise that leads, on either side, up to the choir above is Confidence:1 But the sweet cement that binds the whole frame together in one sure band is love and charity.
Cleansing of the Temple Floor
Sin and Death deface the floor, but weeping and sweeping become means of purification, revealing the Architect’s skill.
Sometimes Sin steals in here and stains the marble's neat, finely worked veins. But everything is cleansed when the marble weeps.2 Sometimes Death, puffing at the door, blows all the dust around the floor. But while he thinks he'll spoil the room, he sweeps it. Blessed be the Architect whose skill could build so strong in a weak heart.
Read the original English
MArk you the floore? that square & 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.
Notes
The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations companion
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