Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PENITENT, by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PENITENT, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O god of goodness, thou my hope and stay
Last Line: Have wander'd far to feed on husks of swine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E.
Subject(s): God; Prodigal Son; Repentance; Sin; Penitence


O GOD of goodness, Thou my hope and stay
While yet I hung upon my mother's breast;
Who watch'd the slumbers of mine infant rest,
And with new strength endued me, day by day;
In youth, in manhood, thro' my onward way
In safety led, here in full measure blest,
Of every joy this world can give possest,
In mercy spar'd e'en when I went astray;
No gift withheld that could affection win!
What in return for such great love of thine,
What have I done? my God, what have I been?
I from my Father's house where all was mine,
A prodigal, still adding sin to sin,
Have wander'd far to feed on husks of swine.





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