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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DAY OF JUDGEMENT, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: When through the north a fire shall rush
Last Line: And bring me, where I'd be.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
First Line: When through the north a fire shall rush
Last Line: And bring me, where I'd be.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
When through the North a fire shall rush
And roll into the East,
And like a fiery torrent brush
And sweep up South and West,
When all shall stream, and lighten round
And with surprising flames
Both stars and elements confound
And quite blot out their names,
When thou shalt spend thy sacred store
Of thunders in that heat
And low as e'er they lay before
Thy six-days-buildings beat,
When like a scroll the heavens shall pass
And vanish clean away,
And nought must stand of that vast space
Which held up night and day,
When one loud blast shall rend the deep,
And from the womb of earth
Summon up all that are asleep
Unto a second birth,
When thou shalt make the clouds thy seat,
And in the open air
The quick and dead, both small and great
Must to thy bar repair;
O then it will be all too late
To say, What shall I do?
Repentance there is out of date
And so is mercy too;
Prepare, prepare me then, O God!
And let me now begin
To feel my loving father's rod
Killing the man of sin!
Give me, O give me crosses here,
Still more afflictions lend,
That pill, though bitter, is most dear
That brings health in the end;
Lord, God! I beg nor friends, nor wealth
But pray against them both;
Three things I'd have, my soul's chief health!
And one of these seem loath,
A living FAITH, a HEART of flesh,
The WORLD an enemy,
This last will keep the first two fresh,
And bring me, where I'd be.