Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TIDE OF FAITH, by MARY ANN EVANS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TIDE OF FAITH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: So faith is strong
Last Line: To admiration, self-renouncing love.
Alternate Author Name(s): Eliot, George; Cross, Marian Lewes; Evans, Marian; Ann, Mary
Subject(s): Faith; Belief; Creed


So faith is strong
Only when we are strong, shrinks when we shrink.
It comes when music stirs us, and the chords,
Moving on some grand climax, shakes our souls
With influx new that makes new energies.
It comes in swellings of the heart and tears
That rise at noble and at gentle deeds.
It comes in moments of heroic love,
Unjealous joy in joy not made for us;
In conscious triumph of the good within,
Making us worship goodness that rebukes.
Even our failures are a prophecy,
Even our yearnings and our bitter tears
After that fair and true we cannot grasp.
Presentiment of better things on earth
Sweeps in with every force that stirs our souls
To admiration, self-renouncing love.




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