Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ELEVENTH HOUR, by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ELEVENTH HOUR, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Faint and worn and aged
Last Line: Sit thou down for evermore.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina


Faint and worn and aged
One stands knocking at a gate,
Tho' no light shines in the casement,
Knocking tho' so late.
It has struck eleven
In the courts of Heaven,
Yet he still doth knock and wait.

While no answer cometh
From the heavenly hill,
Blessed Angels wonder
At his earnest will.
Hope and fear but quicken
While the shadows thicken;
He is knocking knocking still.

Grim the gate unopened
Stands with bar and lock,
Yet within the unseen Porter
Hearkens to the knock.
Doing and undoing,
Faint and yet pursuing,
This man's feet are on the Rock.

With a cry unceasing
Knocketh prayeth he: --
"Lord, have mercy on me
"When I cry to Thee." --
With a knock unceasing
And a cry increasing: --
"O my Lord, remember me."

Still the Porter standeth,
Love-constrained He standeth near,
While the cry increaseth
Of that love and fear: --
"Jesus look upon me:
"Christ hast Thou foregone me?
"If I must, I perish here."

Faint the knocking ceases,
Faint the cry and call:
Is he lost indeed for ever,
Shut without the wall? --
Mighty Arms surround him,
Arms that sought and found him,
Held withheld and bore thro' all. --

O celestial mansion
Open wide the door:
Crown and robes of whiteness,
Stone inscribed before,
Flocking Angels bear them;
Stretch thy hand and wear them,
Sit thou down for evermore.





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