"How shall man surely save his soul?" ' T was sunset by the Jordan. Gates Of light were closing, and the whole Vast heaven hung darkened as the fates. "How shall man surely save his soul ; "he said, As fell the kingly day, discrowned and dead. The Christ said: "Hear this parable. Two men set forth and journeyed fast To reach a place ere darkness fell And closed the gates ere they had passed ; Two worthy men, each free alike of sin, But one did seek most sure to enter in. "And so when in their path did lay A cripple with a broken staff, The one did pass straight on his way, While one did stoop and give the half His strength, and all his time did nobly share Till they at sunset saw their city fair. "And he who would make sure ran fast To reach the golden sunset gate, Where captains and proud chariots passed, But lo, he came one moment late! The gate was closed, and all night long he cried; He cried and cried, but never watch replied. "Meanwhile, the man who cared to save Another as he would be saved Came slowly on, gave bread and gave Cool waters, and he stooped and laved The wounds. At last, bent double with his weight, He passed, unchid, the porter's private gate. "Hear then this lesson, hear and learn: He who would save his soul, I say, Must lose his soul; must dare to turn And lift the fallen by the way ; Must make his soul worth saving by some deed That grows, and rows, as grows the fruitful seed." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PLANTATION CHILD'S LULLABY by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR LOVE AND AGE by THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK PENTRIDGE BY THE RIVER by WILLIAM BARNES FIRST SIGHT by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH RATTLIN,' ROARIN' WILLIE by ROBERT BURNS ORIENTALE: 2 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS |