Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE CRY OF THE AGE by HAMLIN GARLAND

First Line: WHAT SHALL I DO TO BE JUST?
Last Line: MY HEART IS AFLAME TO BE RIGHT.
Subject(s): JUSTICE; PRAYER; RELIGION; THEOLOGY;

What shall I do to be just?
What shall I do for the gain
Of the world—for its sadness?
Teach me, O Seers that I trust!
Chart me the difficult main
Leading me out of my sorrow and madness;
Preach me out of the purging of pain.
Shall I wrench from my finger the ring
To cast to the tramp at my door?
Shall I tear off each luminous thing
To drop in the palm of the poor?
What shall I do to be just?
Teach me, O Ye in the light,
Whom the poor and the rich alike trust:
My heart is aflame to be right.



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