Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO MR. FORBES-ROBERTSON: 21. THE BETTER SELF, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO MR. FORBES-ROBERTSON: 21. THE BETTER SELF, by                    
First Line: There are those whose better self lies slain
Last Line: And live the christ life here on earth below.
Subject(s): Self


There are those whose better self lies slain,
By their own hand, to trouble them no more,
Who've sacrificed their virtue just to gain
The fruits which sin doth seem to hold in store;
Who, lo, these many years were dead to love
And purity and all its inward joy,
Who catch no glimpses of the light above,
And cast aside their birthright as a toy.

But thou, sweet child, can never be like these,
Thy better self controls thy every move,
And wouldst thou e'er thy baser spirit please,
Thy better self would chide thee and reprove.
It is too strong for you to disobey,
Thank God for that, and try each day to show
Yourself obedient to its benign sway,
And live the Christ life here on earth below.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


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