Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ZEAL AND MEEKNESS by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN

Poet Analysis

First Line: CHRIST BADE HIS FOLLOWERS TAKE THE SWORD
Last Line: FOR SATAN, NOT FOR HEAVEN.
CHRIST bade His followers take the sword;
And yet He chid the deed,
When Peter seized upon His word,
And made a foe to bleed.

The gospel Creed, a sword of strife,
Meek hands alone may rear;
And ever Zeal begins its life
In silent thought and fear.

Ye, who would weed the Vineyard's soil,
Treasure the lesson given;
Lest in the judgment-books yet toil
For Satan, not for heaven.



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