The Sacrifice, By Way of Discourse Betwixt Himself And Julia

Herr. Come and let’s in solemn wise
  Both address to sacrifice:
  Old religion first commands
  That we wash our hearts, and hands.
  Is the beast exempt from stain,
  Altar clean, no fire profane?
  Are the garlands, is the nard
  Ready here?

Jul. All well prepar’d,
  With the wine that must be shed,
  ‘Twixt the horns, upon the head
  Of the holy beast we bring
  For our trespass-offering.

Herr. All is well; now next to these
  Put we on pure surplices;
  And with chaplets crown’d, we’ll roast
  With perfumes the holocaust:
  And, while we the gods invoke,
  Read acceptance by the smoke.

Published in Hesperides

Tags:

Any corrections or public domain poems I should have here? Email me at poems (at) this domain.