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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
PRAISE, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: King of comforts! King of life!
Last Line: That one poor blossom.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
First Line: King of comforts! King of life!
Last Line: That one poor blossom.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
King of comforts! King of life!
Thou hast cheered me,
And when fears and doubts were rife,
Thou hast cleared me!
Not a nook in all my breast
But thou fill'st it,
Not a thought, that breaks my rest,
But thou kill'st it;
Wherefore with my utmost strength
I will praise thee,
And as thou giv'st line and length,
I will raise thee;
Day and night, not once a day
I will bless thee,
And my soul in new array
I will dress thee;
Not one minute in the year
But I'll mind thee,
As my seal and bracelet here
I will bind thee;
In thy word, as if in heaven
I will rest me,
And thy promise till made even
There shall feast me.
Then, thy sayings all my life
They shall please me,
And thy bloody wounds and strife
They will ease me;
With thy groans my daily breath
I will measure,
And my life hid in thy death
I will treasure.
Though then thou art
Past thought of heart
All perfect fullness,
And canst no whit
Access admit
From dust and dullness;
Yet to thy name
(As not the same
With thy bright Essence)
Our foul, clay hands
At thy commands
Bring praise and incense;
If then, dread Lord,
When to thy board
Thy wretch comes begging,
He hath a flower
Or (to his pow'r)
Some such poor off' ring;
When thou hast made
Thy beggar glad,
And filled his bosom,
Let him (though poor)
Strow at thy door
That one poor blossom.