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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ESTEEMING THE BIBLE by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR

Poet Analysis

First Line: THIS HOLY BOOK I'D RATHER OWN
Last Line: THEIR TEARS SHALL CEASE TO FLOW.
Subject(s): BIBLE; BOOKS; JEWS; RELIGION; READING; JUDAISM; THEOLOGY;

THIS holy book I'd rather own,
Than all the gold and gems
That e'er in monarchs' coffers shone,
Than all their diadems.

Nay, were the seas one chrysolite,
The earth one golden ball,
And diadems all the stars of night,
This book outweighs them all.

Ah, no, the soul ne'er found relief
In glittering hoards of wealth;
Gems dazzle not the eye of grief,
Gold cannot purchase health.

But here a blessed balm appears
To heal the deepest woe,
And those who read this book in tears,
Their tears shall cease to flow.



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