Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BENEDICITE, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: God's love and peace be with thee, where Last Line: I greet thee, dearest, far away! Subject(s): Friendship | ||||||||
GOD'S love and peace be with thee, where Soe'er this soft autumnal air Lifts the dark tresses of thy hair! Whether through city casements comes Its kiss to thee, in crowded rooms, Or, out among the woodland blooms, It freshens o'er thy thoughtful face, Imparting, in its glad embrace, Beauty to beauty, grace to grace! Fair nature's book together read, The old wood-paths that knew our tread, The maple shadows overhead, -- The hills we climbed, the river seen By gleams along its deep ravine, -- All keep thy memory fresh and green. Where'er I look where'er I stray, Thy thought goes with me on my way, And hence the prayer I breathe to-day: O'er lapse of time and change of scene, The weary waste which lies between Thyself, and me, my heart I lean. Thou lack'st not Friendship's spellword, nor The half-unconscious power to draw All hearts to thine by Love's sweet law. With these good gifts of God is cast Thy lot, and many a charm thou hast To hold the blessed angels fast. If, then, a fervent wish for thee The gracious heavens will heed from me, What should, dear heart, its burden be? The sighing of a shaken reed, -- What can I more than meekly plead The greatness of our common need? God's love, -- unchanging, pure, and true, -- The Paraclete white-shining through His peace, -- the fall of Hermon's dew! With such a prayer, on this sweet day, As thou mayst hear and I may say, I greet thee, dearest, far away! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOU & I BELONG IN THIS KITCHEN by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA JASON THE REAL by TONY HOAGLAND NO RESURRECTION by ROBINSON JEFFERS CHAMBER MUSIC: 17 by JAMES JOYCE CHAMBER MUSIC: 18 by JAMES JOYCE THE STONE TABLE by GALWAY KINNELL ALMSWOMAN by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN TO AN ENEMY by MAXWELL BODENHEIM SONNET: 10. TO A FRIEND by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES AMY WENTWORTH; FOR WILLIAM BRADFORD by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER |
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