Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN THE SHADOWS: INDUCTION by DAVID GRAY (1838-1861)

First Line: ENTER, SCARED MORTAL! AND IN AWE BEHOLD
Last Line: INHALED FROM A DIVINER ATMOSPHERE.

Enter, scared mortal! and in awe behold
The chancel of a dying poet's mind,
Hung round, ah! not adorned, with pictures bold
And quaint, but roughly touched for the refined.
The chancel, not the charnel house! For I
To God have raised a shrine immaculate
Therein, whereon His name to glorify,
And daily mercies meekly celebrate.
So in, scared breather! here no hint of death --
Skull or cross-bones suggesting sceptic fear;
Yea, rather calmer beauty, purer breath
Inhaled from a diviner atmosphere.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net