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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ON SEEING MICHELANGELO'S MOSES, by JULIA JOHNSON DAVIS
First Line: Jovelike, imperious, and unafraid
Last Line: This is no man. It is the voice of god.
Subject(s): Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564); Moses; Sculpture & Sculptors
First Line: Jovelike, imperious, and unafraid
Last Line: This is no man. It is the voice of god.
Subject(s): Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564); Moses; Sculpture & Sculptors
Jovelike, imperious, and unafraid,
See how he leans upon the books of stone!
These mighty limbs, these sinews were but made
That he might bear his heavy task alone.
Like the Philistine in his giant strength,
Like to Jehovah in his wrathful eyes,
he fears no sea, no tide, no journey's length,
No priest of Baal, or prophet in disguise.
This is not Moses. Here is no slow tongue,
No meekness, nor the anguish of a cry
That immemorially from the heart is wrung:
"That I should do this thing, Lord, who am I?"
This is the burning bush, the prophet's rod,
This is no man. It is the voice of God.
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