Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INCARNATION AND PASSION, by HENRY VAUGHAN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INCARNATION AND PASSION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord! When thou didst thyself undress
Last Line: Is only stronger far than death.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist


Lord! when thou didst thyself undress
Laying by thy robes of glory,
To make us more, thou wouldst be less,
And becam'st a woeful story.

To put on clouds instead of light,
And clothe the morning-star with dust,
Was a translation of such height
As, but in thee, was ne'er expressed;

Brave worms and earth! that thus could have
A God enclosed within your cell,
Your maker pent up in a grave,
Life locked in death, heav'n in a shell;

Ah, my dear Lord! what couldst thou spy
In this impure, rebellious clay,
That made thee thus resolve to die
For those that kill thee every day?

O what strange wonders could thee move
To slight thy precious blood and breath!
Sure it was Love, my Lord; for Love
Is only stronger far than death.





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