Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ISAAC, by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Many the guileless years the patriarch spent Last Line: And saints are lower'd, that the world may rise. Subject(s): Isaac (bible) | ||||||||
MANY the guileless years the Patriarch spent, Bless'd in the wife a father's foresight chose; Many the prayers and gracious deeds, which rose Daily thank-offerings from his pilgrim tent. Yet these, though written in the heavens, are rent From out truth's lower roll, which sternly shows But one sad trespass at his history's close, Father's, son's, mother's, and its punishment. Not in their brightness, but their earthly stains Are the true seed vouchsafed to earthly eyes. Sin can read sin, but dimly scans high grace, So we move heavenward with averted face, Scared into faith by warning of sin's pains; And Saints are lower'd, that the world may rise. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SARAH'S CHOICE by ELEANOR WILNER GENESIS 24 by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH OF BEING NUMEROUS, 16 by GEORGE OPPEN ABRAHAM TO KILL HIM by EMILY DICKINSON |
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