Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE APOSTLE, by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE APOSTLE, by                    
First Line: Where goest thou paul?-I go to save mankind
Last Line: With god in endless peace to dwell.
Subject(s): Paul, Saint (1st Century); Saul Of Tarsus


To M. DE LAMENHALS

WHERE goest thou, Paul?--I go to save mankind;
God has proclaimed the law of love.
Prophet! thine eyes the toll-drops blind;
Feast here to-day, then onwards move.
No, no! I go to save mankind;
God has proclaimed the law of love.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go to preach to man
Peace, Justice, and Humanity!
These to enjoy, rest but one day's short span,
Hear learning speak, see beauty's eye.
No, no! I go to preach to man
Peace, justice, and humanity.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go to the human soul
The path of heaven to declare!
Of heaven! that path doth fame control,
The poet's art shall lead thee there.
No, no! I go to the human soul
The path of heaven to declare.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go to show the poor
That God whose love doth bless the field!
Dread robbers on the mountain moor,
And tigers 'neath the forest's shield.
No, no! I go to show the poor
That God whose love doth bless the field.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go thro' cities wide
From vice man's heart to purify!
Dread wounded guilt's revengeful pride,
Dread laughter's spiteful mockery.
No, no! I go through cities wide
From vice man's heart to purify.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go to dry their tears,
To bid want trust to God alone!
Dread rich men if you wake their fears,
Dread poor men when your end is known.
No, no! I go to dry their tears,
To bid want trust to God alone.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go from clime to clime
To give new strength to every friend!
What! toil and pain, and weary time,
All fail your whitened head to bend?
No, no! I go from clime to clime
To give new strength to every friend.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I travel to resist
Tyrants 'neath whom the nations groan!
Tremble! they'll yield you to the priest
In change for flattery's abject tone.
No, no! I travel to resist
Tyrants 'neath whom the nations groan.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go God's law to preach
Before the judge, before the sword!
Brave not their laws with open speech,
But smoothly gloze thy piercing word.
No, no! I go God's law to preach
Before the judge, before the sword.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go to lay my head
Upon the block, where God doth wait.
Recant! thy pardon shall be read,
And riches won and lordly state.
No, no! I go to lay my head
Upon the block, where God doth wait.

Where goest thou, Paul?--I go 'mid spirits blest
With God in endless peace to dwell!
Your faith has won our altered breast;
We'll pray beside your tomb. Farewell!
Yes, yes! I go 'mid spirits blest
With God in endless peace to dwell.





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