Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE OLD-FASHIONED BIBLE, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How dear to my heart are the Last Line: The leathern-bound bible my grandfather read. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Bible; Fathers; Memory; Past | ||||||||
HOW dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood That now but in mem'ry I sadly review; The old meeting-house at the edge of the wildwood, The rail fence and horses all tethered thereto; The low, sloping roof, and the bell in the steeple, The doves that came fluttering out overhead As it solemnly gathered the God-fearing people To hear the old Bible my grandfather read. The old-fashioned Bible -- The dust-covered Bible -- The leathern-bound Bible my grandfather read. The blessed old volume! The face bent above it -- As now I recall it -- is gravely severe, Though the reverent eye that droops downward to love it Makes grander the text through the lens of a tear, And, as down his features it trickles and glistens, The cough of the deacon is still, and his head Like a halo`ed patriarch's leans as he listens To hear the old Bible my grandfather read. The old-fashioned Bible -- The dust-covered Bible -- The leathern-bound Bible my grandfather read. Ah! who shall look backward with scorn and derision And scoff the old book though it uselessly lies In the dust of the past, while this newer revision Lisps on of a hope and a home in the skies? Shall the voice of the Master be stifled and riven? Shall we hear but a tithe of the words he has said, When so long He has, listening, leaned out of Heaven To hear the old Bible my grandfather read? The old-fashioned Bible -- The dust-covered Bible -- The leathern-bound Bible my grandfather read. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...FERGUS FALLING by GALWAY KINNELL A TIME PAST by DENISE LEVERTOV LAST THINGS by WILLIAM MEREDITH CHRISTMAS TREE by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS THIS MORNING, GOD by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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