Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE RULER OF THE NATIONS, by JOHN KEBLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE RULER OF THE NATIONS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: The lord hath set me o'er the kings of earth
Last Line: "and it is so; my words are sacraments divine."
Subject(s): Jews; Nations; Judaism


THE Lord hath set me o'er the kings of earth,
To fasten and uproot, to build and mar;
Not by mine own fond will: else never war
Had still'd in Anathoth the voice of mirth,
Nor from my native tribe swept bower and hearth;
Ne'er had the light of Judah's royal star
Fail'd in mid heaven, nor trampling steed and car
Ceas'd from the courts that saw Josiah's birth.
"'Tis not in me to give or take away,
But He who guides the thunder-peals on high,
He tunes my voice, the tones of His deep sway
Faintly to echo in the nether sky.
Therefore I bid earth's glories set or shine,
And it is so; my words are sacraments divine."





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