Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A HERMITAGE, by GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A HERMITAGE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some one whisper'd yesterday
Last Line: They have forfeited the name.
Alternate Author Name(s): Gregory Of Nazianzen; Nanzianzen, Gregory; Gregory The Theologian


SOME one whisper'd yesterday,
Of the rich and fashionable,
Gregory in his own small way
Easy was and comfortable.

Had he not of wealth his fill
Whom a garden gay did bless,
And a gently trickling rill,
And the sweets of idleness?

I made answer: -- "Is it ease
Fasts to keep and tears to shed,
Vigil hours and wounded knees,
Call you these a pleasant bed?"

Thus a veritable monk
Does to death his fleshly frame;
Be there who in sloth are sunk,
They have forfeited the name.





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