Trouble o'erwhelms us in the world, And sin's deceit awaits us too; While fiendish banners are unfurled Man's vital spirit to subdue. Yet each may frown and grin his grin; My soul is proof against their sneers: I'll spurn this earth's delusive sin And coolly smile upon its jeers. * * * Here, if I issue from my cot, And view the varied scenes around, I sink to sorrow at the lot Of those who heed each tempting sound. How vain the temporary breath Which bears this crumbling atom up! Soon we must feel the spear of death And drink the bitters of its cup. * * * O, what is man that Thou shouldst deign To yield him consolation here? Yea, what, that Thou shouldst cleanse his stain, And stoop to silence rising fear? Now let me bow before Thy throne, And those unspotted garments kiss; I wish to see Thy face alone, And taste a ray of heavenly bliss. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FONTAINEBLEAU (AUTUMN) by SARA TEASDALE THE MAYFLOWER [DECEMBER 21, 1620] by ERASTUS WOLCOTT ELLSWORTH TENEBRIS by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE A CELEBRATION OF CHARIS: 4. HER TRIUMPH by BEN JONSON SONNET: 94 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIFFERENT MINDS by RICHARD CHENEVIX TRENCH |