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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PENITENT by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON

First Line: O GOD OF GOODNESS, THOU MY HOPE AND STAY
Last Line: HAVE WANDER'D FAR TO FEED ON HUSKS OF SWINE.
Subject(s): GOD; PRODIGAL SON; REPENTANCE; SIN; PENITENCE;

O GOD of goodness, Thou my hope and stay
While yet I hung upon my mother's breast;
Who watch'd the slumbers of mine infant rest,
And with new strength endued me, day by day;
In youth, in manhood, thro' my onward way
In safety led, here in full measure blest,
Of every joy this world can give possest,
In mercy spar'd e'en when I went astray;
No gift withheld that could affection win!
What in return for such great love of thine,
What have I done? my God, what have I been?
I from my Father's house where all was mine,
A prodigal, still adding sin to sin,
Have wander'd far to feed on husks of swine.



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