I. THE Monk was preaching: strong his earnest word, From the abundance of his heart he spoke, And the flame spread, -- in every soul that heard Sorrow and love and good resolve awoke: -- The poor lay Brother, ignorant and old, Thanked God that he had heard such words of gold. II. "Still let the glory, Lord, be thine alone," -- So prayed the Monk, his heart absorbed in praise: "Thine be the glory: if my hands have sown The harvest ripened in Thy mercy's rays, It was Thy blessing, Lord, that made my word Bring light and love to every soul that heard. III. "O Lord, I thank Thee that my feeble strength Has been so blest; that sinful hearts and cold Were melted at my pleading, -- knew at length How sweet Thy service and how safe Thy fold: While souls that loved Thee saw before them rise Still holier heights of loving sacrifice." IV. So prayed the Monk: when suddenly he heard An angel speaking thus: "Know, O my son, Thy words had all been vain, but hearts were stirred, And saints were edified, and sinners won, By his, the poor lay Brother's humble aid Who sat upon the pulpit stair and prayed." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...OCTAVES: 2 by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON IMITATION OF POPE: A COMPLIMENT TO THE LADIES by WILLIAM BLAKE HEART AND MIND by EDITH SITWELL FAREWELL OF A VIRGINIA SLAVE MOTHER TO HER DAUGHTERS SOLD INTO BONDAGE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER STANZAS ON THE DEATH OF A CHILD by BERNARD BARTON PSALM 7; UPON WORDS OF CHUSH THE BENJAMITE; AUGUST 14, 1653 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |