Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE HYMNARY: 321. WHITSUNTIDE, by CHARLES COFFIN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE HYMNARY: 321. WHITSUNTIDE, by                    
First Line: Lo, the father hears our prayer
Last Line: Human hearts with flaming fire.


LO, the father hears our prayer:
Unto failing hearts to bear
All Christ promised ere He rose,
Forth to-day the Spirit goes.

As the Lord of Life draws nigh,
Signs and wonders multiply:
First through all the house there past
Sounds, as of a rushing blast;

Flakes of fire fell fast, and hung,
Each one like a burning tongue,
In the pure thin air, and shed
Lustre upon every head.

Then the flames that lit each brow,
Passing thence -- we know not how --
To their inmost spirit pour
Light and strength unknown before.

Marvelling much the nations heard
Preached in every tongue the word;
All that seers had e'er discerned,
Told again in words that burned.

On the hearers then was poured
Forth the Spirit of the Lord:
Thick as sheaves at harvest-tide
They arose and prophesied.

Praise the Father, praise the Son:
Equal honour, too, be done
Unto Him, Who can inspire
Human hearts with flaming fire.





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