90 If I profane with my unworthiest hand
91 This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this,
92 My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
93 To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.
94 Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
95 Which mannerly devotion shows in this:
96 For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch,
97 And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.
98 Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?
99 Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in pray’r.
100 O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do,
101 They pray—grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.
102 Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake.
103 Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take.