Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MY VOCATION, by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MY VOCATION, by                    
First Line: Cast the world's vast crowd among
Last Line: Sing, poor little one.'
Subject(s): Singing & Singers; Songs


CAST the world's vast crowd among,
Ugly, sickly, weak and small,
Stifled 'mid the bustling throng,
Since I was not hale or tall,
Rose a cry of suffering
From my heart with grief o'er-run;
Then the good God answered--'Sing!
Sing, poor little one!'

By the chariots of the great
Splashed, as dash they through the street,
Scorn of men of vast estate,
Insolence oft doomed to meet.
Contumelious raillery,
Sneers, contempt, are hard to shun;
But the good God tells me--'Sing!
Sing, poor little one!'

Aye! in doubt what may befall,
Often for my life affright,
'Neath the irksome chain I crawl.
Of employment mean and slight.
Greatest joy would freedom bring,
Thence could ample meals be spun;
But the good God tells me--'Sing!
Sing, poor little one.'

Love in my distressful plight
Deigned compassionate my lot,
But with youth it takes to flight,
And with age it lingers not.
Beauty vainly worshipping,
Fruit, on heart-ache, follows none;
But the good God tells me--'Sing!
Sing, poor little one.'

Singing then, or I mistake,
Is my business here below;
Those whom thus I merry make
Will they not their love bestow?

When kind friends around me cling,
When the wine brings jest and fun,
'Tis the good God tells me--'Sing!
Sing, poor little one.'





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