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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO A FRIEND by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: SWEET, HARD AND WISE, YOUR CHOICE SO EARLY MADE

Sweet, hard and wise, your choice so early made ,

To cast the world away, a derelict:

To wear within the pure and austere shade
Sweet, hard and wise , your choice so early made,
The sacred sable of Saint Benedict.
To cast the world away, a derelict:
I give you praise: give me your better prayers.
To wear within the pure and austere shade
The nothingness, which you have flung away,
The sacred sable of Saint Benedict.
To me seems full of fond delightful cares,

Visions, and dangers of the crowded day.

Give me your prayers: you keep no other wealth,
I give you praise: give me your better prayers.
And therefore are the wealthiest of my friends.
The nothingness, which you have flung away,
So shall you lure me by an holy stealth
To me seems full of fond delightful cares,
At last into the Land where wandering ends.
Visions, and dangers of the crowded day.




Give me your prayers: you keep no other wealth,
And therefore are the wealthiest of my friends.
So shall you lure me by an holy stealth
At last into the Land where wandering ends.




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