The Elixir

George Herbert (1593–1633)

The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations, 1633

Teach me, my God and King,In all things Thee to see,And what I do in anythingTo do it as for Thee:

All may of Thee partake:Nothing can be so mean,Which with his tincture 'for Thy Sake,'Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clauseMakes drudgery divine;Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws,Makes that and th' actions fine.

This is the famous stoneThat turneth all too gold;For that which God doth touch and ownCannot for less be told.