Robert Herrick’s lines offer a quiet set of instructions for beginning the day with prayer. The speaker imagines waking with the “virgin morning,” untouched and new, and immediately turning to a sacred act. First, you wash your heart clean inside, then make sure your hands, clothing, everything is outwardly pure. Only then do you kneel at the altar and let your soul rise like a cloud of frankincense. The golden censers, heavy with sweet smoke, become an image of offering your whole self so that your actions finally meet their true purpose. The speaker’s tone is gentle, almost priestly, guiding you to make every part of life an offering. The mood is hushed and reverent, yet tender—no guilt, only a calm, hopeful discipline. Each morning is a fresh start toward wholeness.
MATINS, OR MORNING PRAYER — Summary
When with the virgin morning thou dost rise, Crossing thyself come thus to sacrifice; First wash thy heart in innocence; then bring Pure hands, pure habits, pure, pure every thing. Next to the altar humbly kneel, and thence Give up thy soul in clouds of frankincense. Thy golden censers fill'd with odours sweet Shall make thy actions with their ends to meet.