Christian Poetry Considered

Tag: English

  • ‘The Toys’ by Coventry Patmore (1823-1896)

    My little son, who looked from thoughtful eyes And moved and spoke in quiet grown-up wise, Having my law the seventh time disobeyed, I struck him, and dismissed With hard words and unkissed, 5 His mother, who was patient, being dead. Then, fearing lest his grief should hinder sleep, I visited his bed, But found…

  • ‘Easter Wings’ by George Herbert (1593-1633)

    Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store, Though foolishly he lost the same, Decaying more and more, Till he became Most poore: 5 With thee O let me rise As larks, harmoniously, And sing this day thy victories: Then shall the fall further the flight in me. 10 My tender age in sorrow did…

  • ‘On the Death of Dr Robert Levet’ by Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

    Condemn’d to hope’s delusive mine, As on we toil from day to day, By sudden blasts, or slow decline, Our social comforts drop away. 4 Well tried through many a varying year, See Levet to the grave descend; Officious, innocent, sincere, Of ev’ry friendless name the friend. 8 Yet still he fills affection’s eye, Obscurely…

  • ‘Holy Sonnet 10’ by John Donne (1571-1631)

    Death, be not proud, though some have called thee Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so; For those whom thou thinkst thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me. 4 From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be, Much pleasure – then, from thee much more must flow;…

  • ‘When I Consider how my Light is Spent’ by John Milton (1608-1647)

    When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent 4 To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide, ‘Doth God exact day-labour,…

  • ‘Christ in the Universe’ by Alice Meynell (1847-1922)

    With this ambiguous earth His dealings have been told us. These abide: The signal to a maid, the human birth, The lesson and the young Man crucified. 4 But not a star of all The innumerable host of stars has heard How he administered this terrestrial ball. Our race have kept their Lord’s entrusted Word…

  • ‘A Church Romance: Mellstock about 1835’ by Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

    She turned in the high pew, until her sightSwept the west gallery, and caught its rowOf music-men with viol, book and bowAgainst the sinking sad tower-window light. 4She turned again; and in her pride’s despiteOne strenuous viol’s inspirer seemed to throwA message from his string to her below,Which said, ‘I claim thee as my own…

  • ‘Measure for Measure’ [extract from Act 2, scene ii] by William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

    Could great men thunderAs Jove himself does, Jove would ne’er be quiet,For every pelting, petty officerWould use his heaven for thunder; nothing but thunder.Merciful Heaven, 5Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous boltSplits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak,Than the soft myrtle. But man, proud man,Dress’d in a little brief authority,Most ignorant of what he’s most…