EACH for himself must do his Master's work, Or at his peril leave it all undone; Witness the fate of one who sought to shirk The sanctuary's service, yet would shun The penalty. A man of earthly aims (So runs the apologue), whose pious spouse Would oft remind him of the Church's claims, Still answered thus, "Go thou and pay our vows For thee and me." Now, when at Peter's gate The twain together had arrived at last, He let the woman in; then to her mate, Shutting the door, "Thou hast already passed By proxy," said the Saint, -- "just in the way That thou on earth wast wont to fast and pray." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MORNING HYMN by CHARLES WESLEY DON'T YOU SEE? by KATHARINE LEE BATES TO HIS FRIEND IN ELYSIUM by JOACHIM DU BELLAY |