Classic and Contemporary Poetry
ST. GREGORY NAZIANZEN, by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Peace-loving man, of humble heart and true Last Line: To muse upon the past, -- to serve, yet be at rest. Subject(s): Gregory Of Nazianzus, Saint (330-389) | ||||||||
PEACE-LOVING man, of humble heart and true What dost thou here? Fierce is the city's crowd; the lordly few Are dull of ear! Sore pain it was to thee, -- till thou didst quit Thy patriarch-throne at length, as though for power unfit. So works the All-wise! our services dividing Not as we ask: For the world's profit, by our gifts deciding Our duty-task. See in king's courts loth Jeremias plead; And slow-tongued Moses rule by eloquence of deed! Yes! thou, bright Angel of the East! didst rear The Cross divine, Borne high upon thy liquid accents, where Men mock'd the Sign; Till that cold city heard thy battle-cry, And hearts were stirr'd, and deem'd a Pentecost was nigh. Thou couldst a people raise, but couldst not rule: -- So, gentle one, Heaven set thee free, -- for, ere thy years were full, Thy work was done; According thee the lot thou lovedst best, To muse upon the past, -- to serve, yet be at rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FLOWERS WITHOUT FRUIT by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN THE PILLAR OF THE CLOUD by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN THE SIGN OF THE CROSS by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN A MARTYR CONVERT; A HYMN by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN A PICTURE by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN A THANKSGIVING by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN A VOICE FROM AFAR by JOHN HENRY NEWMAN |
|