Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HOLDFAST, by GEORGE HERBERT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HOLDFAST, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: I threatened to observe the strict decree
Last Line: Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.


I THREATENED to observe the strict decree
Of my deare God with all my power and might:
But I was told by one it could not be;
Yet I might trust in God to be my light.

Then will I trust, said I, in him alone.
Nay, ev'n to trust in him, was also his:
We must confesse that nothing is our own.
Then I confesse that he my succour is:

But to have nought is ours, not to confesse
That we have nought. I stood amaz'd at this;
Much troubled, till I heard a friend expresse,
That all things were more ours by being his.
What Adam had, and forfeited for all,
Christ keepeth now, who cannot fail or fall.





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