TO hear the words of scripture, or to read, With good effect, requires a @3threefold@1 heed; If incomplete, it only can produce Hearings and readings of no sort of use. The first, INTENTION; or a fix'd design To learn the truth concerning things divine; If previous disposition be not good, How shall a serious point be understood? The next, ATTENTION; not the outward part, But the fair list'ning of an honest heart: Sound may, and figure, strike the ear and eye, But sense and meaning to the mind apply. The last, RETENTION; or the keeping pure, From hurtful mixtures, what is clear and sure: In vain the purpose and the pains have been To gain a good, if not secur'd within. Without INTENTION truth no more can stay, Than seed can grow upon a public way; The more it is affecting, plain, and grand, The less will heedless persons understand. Without ATTENTION 'twill have no more fruit, Than seed on stony ground, for want of root; That makes a show with hasty shoots awhile, And then betrays the barrenness of soil. Without RETENTION all is lost at last, Like seed among the thorns and briars cast: So worldly cares, and worldly riches both, May mix with truth, and choak it in its growth. As ground produces goodly crops of corn, If good, and free from footstep, stone, or thorn That of good hearts has properties as plain— To @3seek@1 the truth, @3receive@1 it, and @3retain.@1 | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SILENT VOICES by ALFRED TENNYSON APPARITIONS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SKYFARER by ANNA EMILIA BAGSTAD SPRING MORNING by MAVIS CLARE BARNETT THE LITTLE OLD WOMEN; TO VICTOR HUGO by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE |