Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM, by ROBERT SOUTHEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The rage of babylon is roused Last Line: Alas, more dreadful thy remember'd guilt! Subject(s): Babylon; Christianity; Guilt; Prophecy & Prophets; Punishment; Repentance; Penitence | ||||||||
THE rage of Babylon is rous'd, The king puts forth his strength; And Judah bends the bow, And points her arrows for the coming war. Her walls are firm, her gates are strong, Her youth gird on the sword; High are her chiefs in hope, For Egypt soon will send the promised aid. But who is he whose voice of woe Is heard amid the streets? Whose ominous voice proclaims Her strength and arms and promised succours vain? His meagre cheek is pale and sunk, Wild is his hollow eye, Yet fearful its strong glance; And who could bear the anger of his frown? Prophet of God! in vain thy lips Proclaim the woe to come! In vain thy warning voice Summoned her rulers timely to repent! The Ethiop changes not his skin. Impious and idiot still, The rulers spurn thy voice, And now the measure of their crimes is full. And now around Jerusalem The countless foes appear; Far as the eye can reach Spreads the wide horror of the circling siege. Why is the warrior's cheek so pale? Why droops the gallant youth Who late so high of heart Made sharp his javelin for the welcome war? 'Tis not for terror that his eye Swells with the struggling woe; Oh! he could bear his ills, Or rush to death, and in the grave have peace His parents do not ask for food, But they are weak with want; His wife has given her babes Her wretched meal,she utters no complain The consummating hour is come! Alas for Solyma! How is she desolate, She that was great among the nations fallen! And thouthou miserable king Where is thy trusted flock, Thy flock so beautiful, Thy father's throne, the temple of thy God? Repentance calls not back the past; It will not wake again Thy murdered sons to life, Or bring back vision to thy blasted sight! Thou wretched, childless, blind, old man Heavy thy punishment! Dreadful thy present woes Alas, more dreadful thy remember'd guilt! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RING AND THE CASTLE by AMY LOWELL OLNEY HYMNS: 9. THE CONTRITE HEART by WILLIAM COWPER A HYMN TO GOD THE FATHER by JOHN DONNE THE RUBAIYAT, 1859 EDITION: 7 by OMAR KHAYYAM RECONCILIATION by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL BISHOP BRUNO by ROBERT SOUTHEY |
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