Thus he left the poor man.
"And at his coming to his musical friends at Salisbury, they
began to wonder that Mr. George Herbert, which used to be so trim
and clean, came into that company so soiled and discomposed. But
he told them the occasion. And when one of the company told him,
he had disparaged himself by so dirty an employment, his answer
was: that the thought of what he had done would prove music to
him at midnight, and the omission of it would have upbraided and
made discord in his conscience whensoever he should pass by that
place. 'For if I be bound to pray for all that be in distress, I
am sure that I am bound, so far as it is in my power, to practice
what I pray for. And though I do not wish for the like occasion
every day, yet let me tell you, I would not willingly pass one
day of my life without comforting a sad soul or shewing mercy.
And I praise God for this occasion.
"'And now let's tune our instruments.'"*
*Walton.
This story reminds us that besides being a parson Herbert was a
courtier and a fine gentleman.
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