MASTER and servant, through the storm and sleet And thickening darkness, toiled with weary feet. Fierce winds came hurtling from the mountain height, The pines moaned sadly in the bitter night. Flickering the lantern shed a fitful glow On paths unbroken, drifted deep with snow. Courage and fortitude alike outworn, The servant faltered, frighted and forlorn. "Home beckons fair," he sighed, "aye sweet and fair, But I shall never live to enter there." Eyes clear as stars, lips sweet as rose in bloom, The Master bent above him in the gloom. "Arise!" he said, "we cross an evil land; The tempest's wrath is wild on every hand. "But I before thee go to lead the way, And I will guide thee to the dawn of day. "Thou hast but this, to set thy feet where mine Make prints, step after step, a track for thine. "O faint of heart, let craven terrors flee. I am thy Lord; arise and follow me." Master Divine, by times the upward way Lies nearer midnight than the dawn of day. The chill wind smites, the dark pines murmur low, Faith's waning tapers shine with fitful glow. The servant needs thy look of majesty; Before its light his trembling fears shall flee. O bend with lips as sweet as rose in bloom; O bend with eyes like stars, and pierce the gloom. Say royally: "Arise and follow Me; Step after step, my feet make prints for thee." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOROTHY'S DOWER by PHOEBE CARY A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 50 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN PSALM 51 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE |