Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK', by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK', by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who standeth at the gate? - a woman old
Last Line: And now at length thy sorrow is too late
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): Kindness; Cruelty; Charity; Faith; Sin


"Who standeth at the gate? ''" A woman old,
A widow from the husband of her love.
"O lady, stay, this wind is piercing cold.
Oh look at the keen frosty moon above;
I have no home, am hungrypoor." ''"
"I'm really very sorry, but I can
Do nothing for you; there's the clergyman,"
The lady said, and shivering closed the door.

Who standeth at the gate ? ''" Way-worn and pale
A grey-haired man asks charity again.
"Kind lady, I have journeyed far, and fail
Through weariness; for I have begged in vain
Some shelter, and can find no lodging-place." ''"
She answered: "There's the work-house very near;
Go, for they'll certainly receive you there" ''"
Then shut the door against his

Who standeth at the gate? ''" A stunted child,
Her sunk eyes sharpened with precocious care.
"O lady, save me from a home defiled,
From shameful sights and sounds that taint the air:
Take pity on me, teach me something good." ''"
"For shame, why don't you work instead of cry?
I keep no young impostors here, not I."
She slammed the door, indignant where she stood.

Who standeth at the gate, and will be heard?
Arise, O woman, from thy comforts now:
Go forth again to speak the careless word.
The cruel word unjust, with hardened brow,
But who is this, that standeth not to pray
As once, but terrible to judge thy sin?
This whom thou wouldst not succour nor take in
Nor teach but leave to perish by the way.

"Thou didst it not unto the least of these,
And in them hast not done it unto Ale.
Thou wast as a princess rich and at ease ''" -
Now sit in dust and howl for poverty.
Three times I stood beseeching at
Three times I came to bless thy soul and save:
But now I come to judge for what I gave.
And now at length thy sorrow is too late."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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