Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PENANCE by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: MORTAL! IF E'ER THY SPIRITS FAINT
Last Line: AND SANCTIFY THY WOE.
Subject(s): PENANCE;
MORTAL! if e'er thy spirits faint,
By grief or pain opprest,
Seek not vain hope, or sour complaint,
To cheer or ease thy breast:

But view thy bitterest pangs as sent
A shadow of that doom,
Which is the soul's just punishment
In its own guilt's true home.

Be thine own judge; hate thy proud heart;
And while the sad drops flow,
E'en let thy will attend the smart,
And sanctify thy woe.



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