Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PENITENT, by WILLIAM PETER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PENITENT, by                    
First Line: With guilt and shame opprest
Last Line: And e'en to sinners yield a refuge from despair.
Subject(s): Faith; Repentance; Belief; Creed; Penitence


WITH guilt and shame opprest,
Where shall I turn for rest,
Where look for timely succour from despair?
I try the world in vain.
I court earth's fluttering train,
But find, alas! no hope, no consolation, there.

Now glory's trumpet-call,
Now pleasure's crowded hall,
Now wealth, now grandeur, every thought employs;
Vain, weary, wasted hours!
E'en midst life's fairest flowers
Fell disappointment lurks and poisons all our joys.

Then whither shall I fly?
To Christ, to God, on high --
To Him lift up thy soul in contrite prayer!
He sees the lowly heart,
He will His grace impart,
And e'en to sinners yield a refuge from despair.





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