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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CHRIST IN BRITAIN: 31. THE BRINDLED HARE by THOMAS SAMUEL JONES JR.

First Line: BY GRANGE AND CASTLE WHEN THE FIELDS WERE COOL
Last Line: BEARING AGAINST HIS BREAST THE WOUNDED HARE.
Subject(s): ANIMALS; ANSELM OF CANTERBURY, SAINT (1033-1109); GREAT BRITAIN - HISTORY; RABBITS; ENGLISH HISTORY; HARES;

By grange and castle when the fields were cool
Saint Anselm rode and marked how swans afloat
Upon the lilied waters of the moat
Reposed in love untaught by rod or rule;
And while he paused beside the reedy pool,
A brindled hare with blood upon her coat
Took refuge from the pack's deep baying note
Beneath the scarlet housings of his mule.

But when the savage hunters sought their prey,
At his command their hounds refused to spring,
Held back like wolves within a forest snare;
And with bent bows, they watched him ride away,
Tender as Christ Who heals each broken thing,
Bearing against his breast the wounded hare.



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