Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE COURSE OF TRUTH, by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN


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THE COURSE OF TRUTH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When royal truth, released from mortal throes
Last Line: Vain searching whence it streams, and how to quench its rays.
Subject(s): Truth


WHEN royal Truth, released from mortal throes,
Burst His brief slumber, and triumphant rose,
Ill had the Holiest sued
A patron multitude,
Or courted Tetrarch's eye, or claim'd to rule
By the world's winning grace, or proofs from learned school.

But, robing Him in viewless air, He told
His secret to a few of meanest mould;
They in their turn imparted
The gift to men pure-hearted,
While the brute many heard His mysteries high,
As some strange fearful tongue, and crouch'd, they knew not why.

Still is the might of Truth, as it has been:
Lodged in the few, obey'd, and yet unseen.
Rear'd on lone heights, and rare,
His saints their watch-flame bear,
And the mad world sees the wide-circling blaze,
Vain searching whence it streams, and how to quench its rays.





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