WE are proclaimed, even against our wills -- If we are silent, then our silence speaks -- Children from tumbling on the summer-hills Come home with roses rooted in their cheeks. I think no man can make his lie hold good, -- One way or other, truth is understood. The still sweet influence of a life of prayer Quickens their hearts who never bow the knee, -- So come fresh draughts of living inland air To weary homesick men, far out at sea. Acquaint thyself with God, O man, and lo! His light shall, like a garment, round thee flow. The selfishness that with our lives has grown, Though outward grace its full expression bar, Will crop out here and there like belts of stone From shallow soil, discovering what we are. The thing most specious cannot stead the true, -- Who would appear clean, must be clean all through. In vain doth Satan say, "My heart is glad, I wear of Paradise the morning gem;" While on his brow, magnificently sad, Hangs like a crag his blasted diadem. Still doth the truth the hollow lie invest, And all the immortal ruin stands confessed. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A DEAD LOVER by LOUISE BOGAN SONG OF TWO CROWS by HAYDEN CARRUTH SONNET TO THOSE WHO SEE BUT DARKLY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON UNDER THE CEDARCROFT CHESTNUT by SIDNEY LANIER ON THE PROPOSAL TO ERECT A MONUMENT IN ENGLAND TO LORD BYRON by EMMA LAZARUS STUDY FOR A GEOGRAPHICAL TRAIL; 1. SEATTLE by CLARENCE MAJOR |