Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE HOLY BIBLE, by HENRY VAUGHAN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: O book! Life's guide! How shall we part Last Line: Farewell o book of god! Farewell! Alternate Author Name(s): Silurist Subject(s): Bible | ||||||||
O book! life's guide! how shall we part, And thou so long seized of my heart! Take this last kiss, and let me weep True thanks to thee, before I sleep. Thou wert the first put in my hand, When yet I could not understand, And daily didst my young eyes lead To letters, till I learnt to read. But as rash youths, when once grown strong Fly from their nurses to the throng, Where they new consorts choose, and stick To those, till either hurt or sick: So with that first light gained from thee Ran I in chase of vanity, Cried dross for gold, and never thought My first cheap Book had all I sought. Long reigned this vogue; and thou cast by With meek, dumb looks didst woo mine eye, And oft left open would'st convey A sudden and most searching ray Into my soul, with whose quick touch Refining still, I struggled much. By this mild art of love at length Thou overcam'st my sinful strength, And having brought me home, didst there Show me that pearl I sought elsewhere. Gladness, and peace, and hope, and love, The secret favours of the Dove, Her quick'ning kindness, smiles and kisses, Exalted pleasures, crowning blisses, Fruition, union, glory, life Thou didst lead to, and still all strife. Living, thou wert my soul's sure ease, And dying mak'st me go in peace: Thy next effects no tongue can tell; Farewell O book of God! farewell! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...O TO BE A DRAGON by MARIANNE MOORE BIBLICAL MEDITATIONS by YEHUDA AMICHAI KING DAVID DANCES by JOHN BERRYMAN THE DREAM SONGS: 234. THE CARPENTER'S SON by JOHN BERRYMAN THE DREAM SONGS: 47. APRIL FOOL'S DAY, OR, ST MARY OF EGYPT by JOHN BERRYMAN |
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