Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ROYAL CROWN, by SOLOMON IBN GABIROL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ROYAL CROWN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How shall I stand before thee, lord, and I am
Last Line: Before thy might in awe I stand, bowed low unto the ground!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ibn Gabirol; Solomon Ben Yehuda Ibn Gabirol
Subject(s): Adam & Eve; Bible; God; Jews; Sin; Eve; Judaism


HOW shall I stand before Thee, Lord, and I am bowed with shame?
For e'en as I am poor and humble, exalted is Thy name!
E'en as my mortal might is weak and limited, Thy power is eternal, infinite,
Sorely wanting as I am, Almighty! Thou art perfect and complete!
For Thou are One, the only living God, who dost exist for aye.
Thou art wise and Thy might and majesty endure alway,
And I am wrought of dust and for the earth destined,
Full of error, helpless as a stone upon the way and blind—
A flitting shadow, a wind that passeth and returneth not—
Wrathful as a serpent, of stony heart and harboring all evil thought!
Yea, of proud and boastful mien, of unclean lips, a mortal vain
Who followeth his heart's desire, and counsel doth despise, and thought disdain.

For what I am and what is even this my life and power?
What fruit may bear my righteousness through life's e'er-changeful hour?
I know not whence I come, nor whither I am bound!
Before Thy might in awe I stand, bowed low unto the ground!





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