Classic and Contemporary Poetry
LIFE AND DEATH, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER Poet's Biography First Line: What is life, father? Last Line: "and god is over all!" Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary Subject(s): Death; Fathers; Life; Religion; Dead, The; Theology | ||||||||
"WHAT is Life, father?" "A Battle, my child, Where the strongest lance may fail, Where the wariest eyes may be beguiled, And the stoutest heart may quail. Where the foes are gathered on every hand, And rest not day or night, And the feeble little ones must stand In the thickest of the fight." "What is Death, father?" "The rest, my child, When the strife and toil are o'er; The angel of God, who, calm and mild, Says we need fight no more; Who, driving away the demon band, Bids the din of the battle cease; Takes banner and spear from our failing hand, And proclaims an eternal peace." "Let me die, father! I tremble, and fear To yield in that terrible strife!" "The crown must be won for Heaven, dear, In the battle-field of life; My child, though thy foes are strong and tried, He loveth the weak and small; The angels of heaven are on thy side, And God is over all!" | 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 A DOUBTING HEART by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER |
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