Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FOR THE BAPTIST, by WILLIAM DRUMMOND OF HAWTHORNDEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR THE BAPTIST, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The last and greatest herald of heaven's king
Last Line: Repent!'
Alternate Author Name(s): Drummond, William
Variant Title(s): Saint John Baptist;sonnet: Repent, Repent!;the Baptist's Sonnet
Subject(s): Bible; John The Baptist, Saint (1st Century); Religion; Theology


THE last and greatest Herald of Heaven's.King,
Girt with rough skins, hies to the deserts wild,
Among that savage brood the woods forth bring,
Which he than man more harmless found and mild.
His food was locusts, and what young doth spring
With honey that from virgin hives distill'd;
Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing
Made him appear, long since from earth exiled.
There burst he forth: 'All ye, whose hopes rely
On God, with me amidst these deserts mourn;
Repent, repent, and from old errors turn!'
-- Who listen'd to his voice, obey'd his cry?
Only the echoes, which he made relent,
Rung from their marble caves 'Repent!
Repent!'






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