Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE FIRST SORROW, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE FIRST SORROW, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Arise! This day shall shine
Last Line: Thy soul to-day!
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): God; Grief; Soul; Time; Sorrow; Sadness


ARISE! this day shall shine,
Forevermore,
To thee a star divine,
On Time's dark shore.

Till now thy soul has been
All glad and gay:
Bid it awake, and look
At grief to-day!

No shade has come between
Thee and the sun;
Like some long childish dream
Thy life has run:

But now the stream has reached
A dark, deep sea,
And Sorrow, dim and crowned,
Is waiting thee.

Each of God's soldiers bears
A sword divine:
Stretch out thy trembling hands
To-day for thine!

To each anointed Priest
God's summons came:
O Soul, he speaks to-day,
And calls thy name.

Then, with slow reverent step,
And beating heart,
From out thy joyous days
Thou must depart.

And, leaving all behind,
Come forth alone,
To join the chosen band
Around the throne.

Raise up thine eyes -- be strong,
Nor cast away
The crown that God has given
Thy soul to-day!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net