James Vila Blake, Sonnets from Marcus Aurelius 12

12. 

Ἑνὶ τέρπου καὶ προσαναπαύου, τῷ ἀπὸ πράξεως κοινωνικῆς μεταβαίνειν ἐπὶ πρᾶξιν κοινωνικὴν σὺν μνήμῃ θεοῦ.

Delight your self in one thing above all, and find your rest in it, namely, to pass on from deed to deed suitable for social communion, with all your thoughts fixed on God.

—Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 6.7  

12. 

A bush, its bloom and fruit, supply all senses, 

While we enjoy its shadow, balm and food; 

To no perception doth it pose defences, 

But signaleth its way to any mood. 

Such pleasure sweet pelts on me like a rain 

At summer twilight suddenly, when closes 

A torrid day, and th’ drip mingles its vein 

With seepage of attar distilling on the roses. 

Yet of all mirth, as wine, song, games, or more, 

I pray me let me none unguarded plan; 

But serviceable worth, be that my lore, 

My joy that by me better joyed is man; 

And thinking thus: That all in One are one; 

So all for All as one, for One as all, be done!