WORN and footsore was the Prophet, When he gained the holy hill; "God has left the earth," he murmured, "Here his presence lingers still. "God of all the olden prophets, Wilt thou speak with men no more? Have I not as truly served thee As thy chosen ones of yore? "Hear me, guider of my fathers, Lo! a humble heart is mine; By thy mercy I beseech thee Grant thy servant but a sign!" Bowing then his head, he listened For an answer to his prayer; No loud burst of thunder followed, Not a murmur stirred the air: -- But the tuft of moss before him Opened while he waited yet, And, from out the rock's hard bosom, Sprang a tender violet. "God! I thank thee," said the Prophet; "Hard of heart and blind was I, Looking to the holy mountain For the gift of prophecy. "Still thou speakest with thy children Freely as in eld sublime; Humbleness, and love, and patience, Still give empire over time. "Had I trusted in my nature, And had faith in lowly things, Thou thyself wouldst then have sought me, And set free my spirit's wings. "But I looked for signs and wonders, That o'er men should give me sway; Thirsting to be more than mortal, I was even less than clay. "Ere I entered on my journey, As I girt my loins to start, Ran to me my little daughter, The beloved of my heart; -- "In her hand she held a flower, Like to this as like may be, Which, beside my very threshold, She had plucked and brought to me." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE COLD NIGHT by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS UNGUARDED GATES by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE RIVER OF LIFE by THOMAS CAMPBELL A BALLAD OF SARSFIELD; OR, THE BURSTING OF THE GUNS by AUBREY THOMAS DE VERE THAT NATURE IS A HERACLITEAN FIRE & OF THE COMFORT OF THE RESURRECTION by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS TO A LILY by JAMES MATHEWES LEGARE THE RAGGEDY MAN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |