 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
[O, cleave not to the things of earth]
O, cleave not to the things of earth,
For they must pass away;
But for the better, heavenly birth,
With earnest longings pray.
For they must pass away;
But for the better, heavenly birth,
With earnest longings pray.
Is it a time to lust for gain,
To dig for golden ore;
Or to relieve disease and pain,
From out thine ample store?
To dig for golden ore;
Or to relieve disease and pain,
From out thine ample store?
302
Is it a time thy wealth to spend
On garments rich and rare,
And naught of it to others lend,
Who've not a robe to wear?
On garments rich and rare,
And naught of it to others lend,
Who've not a robe to wear?
Is it a time thy house to build,
In grandeur all alone;
With every costly luxury filled,
When many a man hath none?
In grandeur all alone;
With every costly luxury filled,
When many a man hath none?
Is it a time for thee to live
For self, to earth confined;
And not a thought to others give,
Or to the immortal mind?
For self, to earth confined;
And not a thought to others give,
Or to the immortal mind?
Oh, cleave not to the things of earth,
For they must pass away;
But for the better, heavenly birth,
With earnest longings pray.
For they must pass away;
But for the better, heavenly birth,
With earnest longings pray.
Poem No. 373; c. 8 November 1856
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |