Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON BEARING THE CROSS, by JOHN BYROM


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON BEARING THE CROSS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Take up the cross which thou hast got
Last Line: "this bitter cross—thy will be done!"
Subject(s): Cross, The; Crucifixion; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion


TAKE up the cross which thou hast got,
For love of Christ, and bear it not
As Simon of Cyrene did,
Compell'd to do as he was bid.

"Pray, am not I, who cannot free
"Myself, compell'd as much as he?
"I cannot shun it, and, of course,
"Must bear this heavy cross by force."

What dost thou get then by disgust
At bearing that, which bear thou must?
Nothing abates the force of ill
Like a resign'd and patient will.

"'Tis true; but how shall I obtain
"Such an abatement of my pain?
"Compulsion tempts me to repine
"At Simon's case becoming mine."

Look then at JESUS gone before;
Reflect on what thy SAVIOUR bore;
Bore, tho' he could have been set free,
Death on the cross, for love of thee.

"He did so—Lord! what shall I say?
"Do thou enable me to pray,—
"If 'tis not possible to shun
"This bitter cross—Thy will be done!"





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