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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord, when thou didst on sinai pitch
Last Line: I would both think and judge I did not love thee.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
First Line: Lord, when thou didst on sinai pitch
Last Line: I would both think and judge I did not love thee.
Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist
Lord, when thou didst on Sinai pitch
And shine from Paran, when a fiery Law
Pronounced with thunder, and thy threats did thaw
Thy people's hearts, when all thy weeds were rich
And inaccessible for light,
Terror and might,
How did poor flesh (which after thou didst wear)
Then faint and fear!
Thy chosen flock, like leafs in a high wind,
Whispered obedience, and their heads inclined.
2
But now since we to Sion came,
And through thy blood thy glory see,
With filial confidence we touch ev'n thee;
And where the other mount all clad in flame
And threat'ning clouds would not so much
As bide the touch,
We climb up this, and have too all the way
Thy hand our stay,
Nay, thou tak'st ours, and (which full comfort brings)
Thy Dove too bears us on her sacred wings.
3
Yet since man is a very brute
And after all thy Acts of grace doth kick,
Slighting that health thou gav'st, when he was sick,
Be not displeased, if I, who have a suit
To thee each hour, beg at thy door
For this one more;
O plant in me thy Gospel and thy Law,
Both Faith and Awe;
So twist them in my heart, that ever there
I may as well as love, find too thy fear!
4
Let me not spill, but drink thy blood,
Not break thy fence, and by a black excess
Force down a just curse, when thy hands would bless;
Let me not scatter and despise my food,
Or nail those blessed limbs again
Which bore my pain;
So shall thy mercies flow: for while I fear,
I know, thou'lt bear,
But should thy mild injunction nothing move me,
I would both think and judge I did not love thee.