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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN PORTUGAL, 1912 by ALICE MEYNELL

Poet Analysis

First Line: AND WILL THEY CAST THE ALTARS DOWN
Last Line: THE WINE-PRESS HOLDS THE UNBIDDEN CHRIST.
Subject(s): JESUS CHRIST; PORTUGAL;

And will they cast the altars down,
Scatter the chalice, crush the bread?
In field, in village, and in town
He hides an unregarded head;

Waits in the corn-lands far and near,
Bright in His sun, dark in His frost,
Sweet in the vine, ripe in the ear --
Lonely unconsecrated Host.

In ambush at the merry board
The Victim lurks unsacrificed;
The mill conceals the harvest's Lord,
The wine-press holds the unbidden Christ.



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