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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WHAT GOOD SHALL MY LIFE DO ME?, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Have dead men long to wait
Last Line: Rise up, achieve.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina


HAVE dead men long to wait? --

There is a certain term
For their bodies to the worm
And their souls at heaven gate:
Dust to dust, clod to clod,
These precious things of God,
Trampled underfoot by man
And beast the appointed years. --

Their longest life was but a span
For change and smiles and tears:
Is it worth while to live,
Rejoice and grieve,
Hope, fear, and die?
Man with man, truth with lie,
The slow show dwindles by:
At last what shall we have
Besides a grave? --

Lies and shows no more,
No fear, no pain,
But after hope and sleep
Dear joys again.
Those who sowed shall reap:
Those who bore
The Cross shall wear the Crown;
Those who clomb the steep
There shall sit down.

The Shepherd of the sheep
Feeds His flock there;
In watered pastures fair
They rest and leap.
'Is it worth while to live?'
Be of good cheer:
Love casts out fear:
Rise up, achieve.





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