Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCE: 2. IN CHURCH, by THOMAS HARDY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SATIRES OF CIRCUMSTANCE: 2. IN CHURCH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: And now to god the father,' he ends
Last Line: That had moved the congregation so.
Subject(s): Churches; Cathedrals


'AND now to God the Father,' he ends,
And his voice thrills up to the topmost tiles:
Each listener chokes as he bows and bends,
And emotion pervades the crowded aisles.
Then the preacher glides to the vestry-door,
And shuts it, and thinks he is seen no more.

The door swings softly ajar meanwhile,
And a pupil of his in the Bible class,
Who adores him as one without gloss or guile,
Sees her idol stand with a satisfied smile
And re-enact at the vestry-glass
Each pulpit gesture in deft dumb-show
That had moved the congregation so.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net