A True Lent

Is this a fast,—to keep

    The larder lean,     

        And clean

From fat of veals and sheep? 

Is it to quit the dish

    Of flesh, yet still 

        To fill 

The platter high with fish? 

Is it to fast an hour, 

    Or ragg’d to go,

        Or show 

A downcast look, and sour? 

No! ’t is a fast to dole  

    Thy sheaf of wheat, 

        And meat,

Unto the hungry soul. 

It is to fast from strife, 

    From old debate  

        And hate,—  

To circumcise thy life.

To show a heart grief-rent; 

    To starve thy sin, 

        Not bin,— 

And that ’s to keep thy Lent.

~Robert Herrick (1591–1674)