Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CLEANSING FIRES, by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CLEANSING FIRES, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Let thy gold be cast in the furnace
Last Line: And the furnace of living pain!
Alternate Author Name(s): Berwick, Mary
Subject(s): Fire; Grief; Sorrow; Sadness


LET thy gold be cast in the furnace,
Thy red gold, precious and bright;
Do not fear the hungry fire,
With its caverns of burning light;
And thy gold shall return more precious,
Free from every spot and stain;
For gold must be tried by fire,
As a heart must be tried by pain

In the cruel fire of sorrow
Cast thy heart, do not faint or wail;
Let thy hand be firm and steady,
Do not let thy spirit quail:
But wait till the trial is over,
And take thy heart again;
For as gold is tried by fire,
So a heart must be tried by pain!

I shall know by the gleam and glitter
Of the golden chain you wear,
By your heart's calm strength in loving,
Of the fire they have had to bear.
Beat on, true heart, forever;
Shine bright strong golden chain;
And bless the cleansing fire,
And the furnace of living pain!





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