Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A FATHER READING THE BIBLE, by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Twas early day, and sunlight streamed Last Line: That home where god is felt! Alternate Author Name(s): Browne, Felicia Dorothea Subject(s): Bible; Fathers | ||||||||
'TWAS early day, and sunlight streamed Soft through a quiet room, That hushed, but not forsaken seemed, Still, but with naught of gloom. For there, serene in happy age Whose hope is from above, A father communed with the page Of heaven's recorded love. Pure fell the beam, and meekly bright, On his gray holy hair, And touched the page with tenderest light, As if its shrine were there! But oh! that patriarch's aspect shone With something lovelier far -- A radiance all the spirit's own, Caught not from sun or star. Some word of life e'en then had met His calm, benignant eye; Some ancient promise, breathing yet Of immortality! Some martyr's prayer, wherein the glow Of quenchless faith survives: While every feature said -- "I know That my Redeemer lives!" And silent stood his children by, Hushing their very breath, Before the solemn sanctity Of thoughts o'ersweeping death. Silent -- yet did not each young breast With love and reverence melt? O! blest be those fair girls, and blest That home where God is felt! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PLAYING DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS PRAYER BEFORE BED by ANDREW HUDGINS THE FUNERAL SERMON by ANDREW HUDGINS ELEGY FOR MY FATHER, WHO IS NOT DEAD by ANDREW HUDGINS EUROPE AND AMERICA by DAVID IGNATOW EUROPE AND AMERICA by DAVID IGNATOW ESTATE SALE by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM A DIRGE (1) by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS |
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