The Temple: Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations/The Elixir

by George Herbert

Teach me, my God and King,
      In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything
      To 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 clause
      Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws,
      Makes that and th' actions fine.

This is the famous stone
      That turneth all too gold;
For that which God doth touch and own
      Cannot for less be told.