Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MEN TOLD ME, LORD, by DAVID STARR JORDAN Poet's Biography First Line: Men told me, lord, it was a vale of tears Last Line: I could no more through all eternity! Subject(s): Religion; Theology | ||||||||
Men told me, Lord, it was a vale of tears Where Thou hadst placed me; wickedness and woe My twain companions whereso I might go; That I through ten and three score weary years Should stumble on, beset by pains and fears, Fierce conflict round me, passions hot within, Enjoyment brief and fatal, but in sin. When all was ended then I should demand Full compensation from Thine austere hand: For 'tis Thy pleasure, all temptation past, To be not just but generous at last. Lord, here am I, my three score years and ten Are counted to the full; I've fought Thy fight, Crossed Thy dark valleys, scaled Thy rocks' harsh height, Borne all the burdens Thou dost lay on men With hand unsparing, three score years and ten. Before Thee now I make my claim, O Lord! What shall I pay Thee as a meet reward? I ask for nothing! Let the balance fall! All that I am or know, or may confess But swells the weight of my indebtedness; Burdens and sorrows stand transfigured all; Thy hand's rude buffet turns to a caress, For Love, with all the rest, Thou gavest me here, And Love is heaven's very atmosphere. Lo, I have dwelt with Thee, Lord! Let me die: I could no more through all eternity! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MYSTIC BOUNCE by TERRANCE HAYES MATHEMATICS CONSIDERED AS A VICE by ANTHONY HECHT UNHOLY SONNET 11 by MARK JARMAN SHINE, PERISHING REPUBLIC by ROBINSON JEFFERS THE COMING OF THE PLAGUE by WELDON KEES A LITHUANIAN ELEGY by ROBERT KELLY ALTRUISM by DAVID STARR JORDAN |
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