Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BEFORE ACTION, by WILLIAM NOEL HODGSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BEFORE ACTION, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: By all the glories of the day
Last Line: Help me to die, o lord.
Alternate Author Name(s): Melbourne, Edward
Subject(s): Religion; Soldiers' Writings; World War I; Theology; First World War


By all the glories of the day
And the cool evening's benison,
By that last sunset touch that lay
Upon the hills when day was done,

By beauty lavishly outpoured
And blessings carelessly received,
By all the days that I have lived
Make me a soldier, Lord.

By all of all men's hopes and fears,
And all the wonders poets sing,
The laughter of unclouded years
And every sad and lovely thing,
By the romantic ages stored
With high endeavor that was his,
By all his mad catastrophes,
Make me a man, O Lord.

I, that on my familiar hill
Saw with uncomprehending eyes
A hundred of thy sunsets spill
Their fresh and sanguine sacrifice,
Ere the sun swings his noonday sword
Must say good-bye to all of this;—
By all delights that I shall miss,
Help me to die, O Lord.





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