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Home  »  The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century  »  William Walsham How (1823–1897)


Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

By Poems. III. “Pasce Verbo, Pasce Vita”

William Walsham How (1823–1897)

  • —ST. BERNARD.

    • LO! this one preached with fervent tongue;

    The world went forth to hear;

    Upon his burning words they hung,

    Intent, with ravished ear.

    Like other lives the life he led,

    Men spake no word of blame:

    And yet, unblest, unprofited,

    The world went on the same.

    Another came, and lived, and wrought,

    His heart all drawn above;

    By deeds, and not by words, he taught

    Self-sacrificing love.

    No eager crowds his preaching drew;

    Yet one by one they came;

    The secret of his power they knew,

    And caught the sacred flame.

    And all around, as morning light

    Steals on with silent wing,

    The world became more pure and bright

    And life a holier thing.

    Ah! Pastor, is thy heart full sore

    At all this sin and strife?

    Feed with the Word, but ah! far more

    Feed with a holy life.


    Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD