Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PALMER by EDITH MATILDA THOMAS

First Line: THOU WHO WOULDST A PALMER BE
Last Line: THAN THE LAMPS WITHIN THE SHRINE.

THOU who wouldst a palmer be,
Let thy faith suffice to thee.
Say not, "I to-morrow will
Get beyond the sunrise hill,
Pass the sea, and cross the sand
Till I come to Holy Land,
And beneath the lamps that glow
In the shrine my heart I show,
Leave my gift and round my vow,
Bearing thence the victor bough."

Say not this, nor take in hand
Staff and scrip for Holy Land.
Thou be wiser than the rest
Who have bound them to the quest;
Breathe thy vow and waft thy gift,
Single heart to heaven lift;
Here remain if thou wouldst be
Palmer in all verity:
Know thy faith doth brighter shine
Than the lamps within the shrine.



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