Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


RELICS OF SAINTS by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE FATHERS ARE IN DUST, YET LIVE TO GOD
Last Line: THAT THEY ARE EARTH; -- BUT THEY ARE HEAVENLY SHRINES.

"THE Fathers are in dust, yet live to God:" --
So says the Truth; as if the motionless clay
Still held the seeds of life beneath the sod,
Smouldering and struggling till the judgment-day.

And hence we learn with reverence to esteem
Of these frail houses, though the grave confines;
Sophist may urge his cunning tests, and deem
That they are earth; -- but they are heavenly shrines.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net