Religion

To Cardinal Manning

by George Meredith 1828–1909

From Poems — Volume 2

Religion

I, WAKEFUL for the skylark voice in men,
Or straining for the angel of the light,
Rebuked am I by hungry ear and sight,
When I behold one lamp that through our fen
Goes hourly where most noisome; hear again
A tongue that loathsomeness will not affright
From speaking to the soul of us forthright
What things our craven senses keep from ken.
This is the doing of the Christ; the way
He went on earth; the service above guile
To prop a tyrant creed: it sings, it shines;
Cries to the Mammonites: Allay, allay
Such misery as by these present signs
Brings vengeance down; nor them who rouse revile.

TO COLONEL CHARLES
(DYING GENERAL C.B.B.)

MLA

Meredith, George. “To Cardinal Manning.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/meredith/103/.

Chicago

Meredith, George. “To Cardinal Manning.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/meredith/103/.

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