(The Lord God speaks to a youth) Bend now thy body to the common weight! (But oh, that vine-clad head, those limbs of morn! Those proud young shoulders I myself made straight! How shall ye wear the yoke that must be worn?) Look thou, my son, what wisdom comes to thee! (But oh, that singing mouth, those radiant eyes! Those dancing feet -- that I myself made free! How shall I sadden them to make them wise?) Nay then, thou shalt! Resist not, have a care! (Yea, I must work my plans who sovereign sit! Yet do not tremble so! I cannot bear -- Though I am God -- to see thee so submit!) | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO SIR HENRY GOODYERE by BEN JONSON LOVE AND LIFE. A SONG by JOHN WILMOT WHITE HEAD by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN THE OLD FLUTE by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER LILIES: 25. THY LOVE-SERVICE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE CHILD AN' THE MOWERS by WILLIAM BARNES SONNET TO ZOE KING by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE COUNTRY DOCTOR by WILLIAM MCKENDREE CARLETON TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. INTO THE REGIONS OF THE SUN by EDWARD CARPENTER |