Classic and Contemporary Poetry
JONAH, by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Deep in his meditative bower Last Line: Of the sweet garden-shade? Subject(s): Jonah (bible) | ||||||||
DEEP in his meditative bower, The tranquil seer reclined; Numbering the creepers of an hour, The gourds which o'er him twined. To note each plant, to rear each fruit Which soothes the languid sense, He deem'd a safe, refined pursuit -- His Lord, an indolence. The sudden voice was heard at length, "Lift thou the prophet's rod!" But sloth had sapp'd the prophet's strength, He fear'd, and fled from God. Next, by a fearful judgment tamed, He threats the offending race; God spares; -- he murmurs, pride-inflamed, His threat made void by grace. What? -- pride and sloth! man's worst of foes! And can such guests invade Our choicest bliss, the green repose Of the sweet garden-shade? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A SONG OF SAPPHO, DISCOVERED IN EGYPT by LEONORA SPEYER JONAH AND THE WHALE by ANONYMOUS JONAH AND THE WHALE by VIOLA MEYNELL JONAH AND THE WHALE by UNKNOWN FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN |
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