Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


COURTESY by HILAIRE BELLOC

Poet Analysis

First Line: OF COURTESY, IT IS MUCH LESS
Last Line: MY RHYME IS WRITTEN, MY WORK IS DONE.
Subject(s): CHRISTMAS; ETIQUETTE; JESUS CHRIST; NATIVITY, THE; MANNERS; COURTESY;

OF Courtesy it is much less
Than Courage of Heart or Holiness,
Yet in my Walks it seems to me
That the Grace of God is in Courtesy.

On Monks I did in Storrington fall,
They took me straight into their Hall;
I saw Three Pictures on a wall,
And Courtesy was in them all.

The first the Annunciation;
The second the Visitation;
The third the Consolation,
Of God that was Our Lady's Son.

The first was of Saint Gabriel;
On Wings a-flame from Heaven he fell;
And as he went upon one knee
He shone with Heavenly Courtesy.

Our Lady out of Nazareth rode --
It was her month of heavy load;
Yet was Her face both great and kind,
For Courtesy was in Her Mind.

The third, it was our Little Lord,
Whom all the Kings in arms adored;
He was so small you could not see
His large intent of Courtesy.

Our Lord, that was Our Lady's Son,
Go bless you, People, one by one;
My Rhyme is written, my work is done.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net