Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, IN THE KING'S BANQUETING HOUSE, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

IN THE KING'S BANQUETING HOUSE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I walk on my way with the others, I toil at my daily / task
Last Line: He calls me in to the banquet, and what can I do but obey?
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Contentment; Love


I WALK on my way with the others, I toil at my daily task;
I am sometimes weary and careworn, and sometimes I wear a mask,
And cover with smiles and sunshine a heart that is full of tears;
And yet, and yet, there is joy divine, and it crowns my burdened years;

For sometimes there comes a whisper in the silence of my soul:
"Rise up, my love, my fair one, and forget the sorrow and dole,
And come to the house of the banquet, and feast with the King to-day."
And oh! when I hear the summons, is there aught except to obey?

And the look on his brow is loving, a brow that was worn and marred;
And the hands I clasp with reverence,—ah me! they are torn and scarred;
And the voice that speaks is tender. "It is finished," that dear voice said,
When on Calvary's mount for me, for me, he bowed his fainting head.

Oh, 't is sweet to sit at the banquet, a guest of the King divine;
'T is sweet to taste the heavenly bread, and to drink the heavenly wine,—
To look away from the earth-cares, to lift the spirit above,
To sit in his shadow with great delight, under his banner of love.

And what if the way be dreary, and I sometimes think it long?
There's always, sooner or later, a bit of a cheery song.
And what if the clouds above me are sometimes thick and gray?
There is never a cloud on the Mercy-seat, where I meet him day by day.

So I go on my way with the others, I am often weary and spent;
But aye in my heart I am thankful, happy and well content;
For oft in the early dawning, and oft at the fall of day,
He calls me in to the banquet, and what can I do but obey?





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