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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MY PATRONS by LIONEL PIGOT JOHNSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: THY SPEAR RENT CHRIST, WHEN DEAD FOR ME HE LAY

Thy spear rent Christ, when dead for me He lay:
Thy spear rent Christ, when dead for me He lay:
My sin rends Christ, though never one save He
My sin rends Christ, though never one save He
Perfectly loves me, comforts me. Then pray,
Perfectly loves me, comforts me. Then pray,
Longinus Saint! the Crucified, for me.
Longinus Saint! the Crucified, for me.
Hard is the holy war, and hard the way:

At rest with ancient victors would I be.

O faith's first glory from our England! pray,
Hard is the holy war, and hard the way:
Saint Alban! to the Lord of Hosts, for me.
At rest with ancient victors would I be.
Fain would I watch with thee, till morning gray,
O faith's first glory from our England! pray,
Beneath the stars austere: so might I see
Saint Alban! to the Lord of Hosts, for me.
Sunrise, and light, and joy, at last. Then pray,

John Baptist Saint! unto the Christ, for me.

Remembering God's coronation day;
Fain would I watch with thee, till morning gray,
Thorns, for His crown; His throne, a Cross: to thee
Beneath the stars austere: so might I see
Heaven's kingdom dearer was than earth's. Then pray
Sunrise, and light, and joy, at last. Then pray,
Saint Louis! to the King of kings, for me.
John Baptist Saint! unto the Christ, for me.
Thy love loved all things: thy love knew no stay,

But drew the very wild beasts round thy knee.

O lover of the least and lowest! pray,
Remembering God's coronation day;
Saint Francis! to the Son of Man, for me.
Thorns, for His crown; His throne, a Cross: to thee
Bishop of souls in servitude astray,
Heaven's kingdom dearer was than earth's. Then pray
Who didst for holy service set them free:
Saint Louis! to the King of kings, for me.
Use still thy discipline of love, and pray,

Saint Charles! unto the world's High Priest, for me.

-1893
Thy love loved all things: thy love knew no stay,

But drew the very wild beasts round thy knee.

O lover of the least and lowest! pray,
Saint Francis! to the Son of Man, for me.


Bishop of souls in servitude astray,
Who didst for holy service set them free:
Use still thy discipline of love, and pray,
Saint Charles! unto the world's High Priest, for me.




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