Izaak Walton wrote the well-known account of the circumstances connected with the printing of _The Temple_. He tells how Herbert, upon his death-bed, received a visit from a Mr. Edmond Duncon, and how he confided to him the manuscript to be delivered to Nicholas Ferrar of Little Gidding. These are his words: "... Having said this, he did, with so sweet a humility as seemed to exalt him, bow down to Mr. Duncon, and with a thoughtful and contented look, say to him, 'Sir, I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother Farrer [Ferrar], and tell him he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed betwixt God and my soul ... desire him to read it; and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor soul, let it be made publick; if not, let him burn it, for I and it are less than the least of God's mercies.' Thus meanly did this humble man think of this excellent book, which now bears the name of _The Temple_, or _Sacred Poems and Private Ejaculations_...." The small volume was entered for license soon after the poet's death, but was at first refused by the Vice-Chancellor. Izaak Walton is again our informant of the circumstance: "And this ought to be noted, that when Mr. Farrer sent this book to Cambridge to be licensed for the press, the Vice-Chancellor would by no means allow the two so much-noted verses, 'Religion stands a tiptoe in our land, Ready to pass to American strand,' to be printed; and Mr. Farrer would by no means allow the book to be printed and want them. But after some time and some arguments for and against their being made publick, the Vice-Chancellor said, 'I knew Mr. Herbert well, and know that he had many heavenly speculations, and was a divine poet; but I hope the world will not take him to be an inspired prophet, and therefore I license the whole book.' So that it came to be printed without the diminution or addition of a syllable since it was delivered into the hands of Mr. Duncon, save only that Mr. Farrer hath added that excellent preface that is printed before it." There were two editions of the book in the same year, and beside these, two copies are known, like the first edition in every particular, except the title-page, which is not dated, and reads as follows: _The | Temple. | Sacred poems | And | Private Eja- | culations. | By M^r. George Herbert, late Oratour of the Univerſitie | at Cambridge. | Psal. 29. | In his Temple doth every | man speak of his honour. | Cambridge: | Printed by Thomas Buck | and Roger Daniel_: | ¶ _And are to be ſold by Francis | Green, ſtationer in | Cambridge._ Grosart thinks that the undated copies were limited to a very few, issued as gifts to intimate friends.