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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PENUEL by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE

Poet Analysis

First Line: NEAR JABBOK FORD, ENDUED WITH SACRED MIGHT
Last Line: HALOED AN ANGEL'S HEAD AT PENUEL!

NEAR Jabbok Ford, endued with sacred might,
The patriarch strove with @3one@1 that silent came,
Obscurely limned against the twilight flame --
Strove thro' slow watches of the marvellous night!

"@3Ungird thine arms, for lo! 'tis morning light@1,"
Spake the weird stranger! -- "@3nay, but grant the claim@1,
@3Made good thro' strife divine, and bless my name@1,
'@3Ere yet thou goest from doubtful clasp and sight@1!"

Thus Jacob, in the slowly ebbing swell
Of power and passion, -- yearning still to mark
That wrestler's face between the dawn and dark:

Again, "@3wilt thou not bless me?" . . . yea! and yea@1!"
Dropped a still voice, what time the new-born day
Haloed an angel's head at Penuel!



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