Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SONNET: A PREACHER, by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SONNET: A PREACHER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thus spake the preacher: 'o, my friends, beware!'
Last Line: Stumbled and plunged into eternal mist.
Subject(s): Clergy; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops


THUS spake the Preacher: "O, my friends, beware!
How ever smooth and tempting seems the path,
With bowers of cooling shade, the end is wrath:
Here 't is unsafe, that's dangerous footing there;
But follow me and have no further care;
Make me your guide, for I am one that hath
Lived long and gathered in life's aftermath--
Experience. I bid you not despair.
Reach me your hands and cast away all doubt;
I'll lead you safe along the glacier's shelf:
You say 't is dark? 'T is noon-day, I insist;
Besides, I know each pitfall hereabout,
I know each chasm" -- just then the Preacher's self
Stumbled and plunged into eternal mist.





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