Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VAN ELSEN, by FREDERICK GEORGE SCOTT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VAN ELSEN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: God spake three times and saved van elsen's soul
Last Line: Who conquered death.
Alternate Author Name(s): Scott, F. G.
Subject(s): Death; Dead, The


God spake three times and saved Van Elsen's soul;
He spake by sickness first and made him whole;
Van Elsen heard him not,
Or soon forgot.
God spake to him by wealth, the world outpoured
Its treasures at his feet, and called him Lord;
Van Elsen's heart grew fat
And proud thereat.
God spake the third time when the great world smiled,
And in the sunshine slew his little child;
Van Elsen like a tree
Fell hopelessly.
Then in the darkness came a voice which said,
"As thy heart bleedeth, so my heart hath bled,
As I have need for thee,
Thou needest me."
That night Van Elsen kissed the baby feet,
And, kneeling by the narrow winding sheet,
Praised Him with fervent breath
Who conquered death.




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