Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PURITAN, by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH Poet's Biography First Line: The preacher in his seat Last Line: "for I have need of thee! " Subject(s): Clergy; Priests; Rabbis; Ministers; Bishops | ||||||||
THE Preacher in his seat Spoke a new word to-day. He shook the rock beneath my feet And left uncertain clay. His tale was all of ease, Of tenderness alone. He was not there when Moses struck A water from a stone. Could I but speak the word, The skies should not let fall Celestial honey on my lips When they had need of gall. He preached a silken word To fearful men and vain. They want the sweet dews of our Lord But not the hurricane. I'll have Him all in all -- Beneath His feet be cast I have a heart that can endure The glory of the blast! Upon His breast like John They would escape His rod. But I would sweat as Jacob did And wrestle with my God. They are confused, perplexed! They say there is no sin. That Hand that fashioned Paradise Did slip the serpent in. They are afraid of Death, I scorn their fluttering brood. Why I could die with a great laugh, Declaring that 't was good! They say these things are dreams! Truly, they say not well. For that Pale Horse John tells about Was driven by Death and Hell! Let others love the Lamb, And seek a gentle Lord. I better like that honest God That came to bring a sword. I have no love of ease! My feet are shod with might! If there's no Devil in God's world Then what have I to fight? I am a man of war! Such things I understand: When Devils against Cherubim Are leagued throughout the land. The fragile and the small In happy gardens wait. But with the Angels of God's wrath I will ride out in state. The frail shall sit and feast; Behind safe walls are they. Outside I 'II face the hounds of dread And hold its dogs at bay. When scarlet Hell heaves up I have no fear at all. Scarred, I beat back the advancing flames That threaten their good wall. They tell me that in Heaven Our Lord will turn to love, Calling the lambs about His knees And to His breast the dove. Unto each man his lust! These words He speaks to me -- "I have set thee on a neighing horse, For I have need of thee! " | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SONG OF THE DEMENTED PRIEST by JOHN BERRYMAN HORATIO ALGER (1834-1899) by MADELINE DEFREES ELEGIES FOR THE OCHER DEER ON THE WALLS AT LASCAUX by NORMAN DUBIE IN THE TIME OF FALSE MESSIAHS; CIRCA 1648 by NORMAN DUBIE THE GUARDIAN OF THE RED DISK (SPOKEN BY A CITIZEN OF MALTA - 1300) by EMMA LAZARUS DOMESDAY BOOK: FATHER WHIMSETT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: REV. PERCY FERGUSON by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THIS SIDE OF CALVIN by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY WHAT WAS LEFT OVER; FOR SUJATA BHATT by ELEANOR WILNER SONGS FOR MY MOTHER: 2. HER HANDS by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |
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