The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
156
THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE
—REV. CHAP. 22
& he showed me a river in midst of the street
Of the water of life clear as chrystal & pure
Flowing out from the throne of the Lord—heaven sweet
The weary to bless & the feeble to care
& on each side the river like comfort in thrall
The tree of life grew as a blessing for all
Of the water of life clear as chrystal & pure
Flowing out from the throne of the Lord—heaven sweet
The weary to bless & the feeble to care
& on each side the river like comfort in thrall
The tree of life grew as a blessing for all
Twelve manner of fruits did its branches supply
That every month ripened—so fertile the sod
& the leaves of the tree 'neath Jehovahs own eye
Held a cure for the nations who trusted in God
No curse shall there be in that endless of day
With the Lord—where his servants shall serve him for aye
That every month ripened—so fertile the sod
& the leaves of the tree 'neath Jehovahs own eye
Held a cure for the nations who trusted in God
No curse shall there be in that endless of day
With the Lord—where his servants shall serve him for aye
& his name it shall be on their forheads of light
& they shall see his face—nor his majesty shun
No candle is needed where never was night
Neither is wanted the light of the sun
For the Lord God of light & of life is the giver
& they shall reign with him forever & ever
& they shall see his face—nor his majesty shun
No candle is needed where never was night
Neither is wanted the light of the sun
For the Lord God of light & of life is the giver
& they shall reign with him forever & ever
& he said unto me all these sayings are true
& faithfull—& now are as being begun
The God of the prophets sent his angel to shew
To his servants the things which must shortly be done
Behold I come quickly & blessed is he
Who keepeth the sayings of this prophecy
& faithfull—& now are as being begun
The God of the prophets sent his angel to shew
To his servants the things which must shortly be done
Behold I come quickly & blessed is he
Who keepeth the sayings of this prophecy
157
I John saw these things & heard while I saw
& when I had heard & had seen unforgot
I fell at the feet of the angel with awe
But he said unto me see thou do it not
For I'm thy fellow servant & worship aright
& of thy bretheren the prophets who live in his light
& when I had heard & had seen unforgot
I fell at the feet of the angel with awe
But he said unto me see thou do it not
For I'm thy fellow servant & worship aright
& of thy bretheren the prophets who live in his light
Of them which keep the sayings this book doth contain
Of which thou art witness what God doth reveal
Worship God—him alone—other worship is vain
These sayings he said unto me—never seal
Leave the prophecy open till all understand
For the kingdom is come & the time is at hand
Of which thou art witness what God doth reveal
Worship God—him alone—other worship is vain
These sayings he said unto me—never seal
Leave the prophecy open till all understand
For the kingdom is come & the time is at hand
& he thats unjust—unjust let him be
& he that is filthy live filthy at will
& he that is righteous—leave righteousness free
& he that is holy live holily still
Behold I come quickly my reward is with me
To give all men according as his work it shall be
& he that is filthy live filthy at will
& he that is righteous—leave righteousness free
& he that is holy live holily still
Behold I come quickly my reward is with me
To give all men according as his work it shall be
I am Alpha Omega beginning & end
Time past as the present—the first & the last
They are blest that on all my commandments attend
The tree of life is their right—when lifes troubles is past
The gates are all open the passage is free
& the new golden city their dwelling shall be
Time past as the present—the first & the last
They are blest that on all my commandments attend
The tree of life is their right—when lifes troubles is past
The gates are all open the passage is free
& the new golden city their dwelling shall be
For without the dogs growl & the sorcerers cheat
& murder that stabs with idolators bye
& whoremongers all their old deeds to repeat
& they whoso loveth & maketh a lie
I Jesus have sent my angel t'record
These things unto you & the church of the Lord
& murder that stabs with idolators bye
& whoremongers all their old deeds to repeat
& they whoso loveth & maketh a lie
I Jesus have sent my angel t'record
These things unto you & the church of the Lord
158
I am the offspring of David & root
& I am the bright & the morning star
& the bride & the spirit say come—eat the fruit
& let him that heareth say come from afar
& let him that parcheth with thirst come & drink
For the water of life ever flows to the brink
& I am the bright & the morning star
& the bride & the spirit say come—eat the fruit
& let him that heareth say come from afar
& let him that parcheth with thirst come & drink
For the water of life ever flows to the brink
To every man living I now testify
That hears the words of this book—& yet doeth the sin
To add any thing unto this prophecy
God shall send him the plagues that are written therein
& if any man take from this book—dealing strife
God shall take out his part from the volume of life
That hears the words of this book—& yet doeth the sin
To add any thing unto this prophecy
God shall send him the plagues that are written therein
& if any man take from this book—dealing strife
God shall take out his part from the volume of life
& in the most holy city shall meet with no home
Nor share of the things in this volume of joy
He that testifieth this saitheth quickly I come
Even so come Lord Jesus all sin to destroy
The power of Gods love be with all—now—& then
& the grace of christ jesus be with you—Amen
Nor share of the things in this volume of joy
He that testifieth this saitheth quickly I come
Even so come Lord Jesus all sin to destroy
The power of Gods love be with all—now—& then
& the grace of christ jesus be with you—Amen
| The later poems of John Clare | |