Religion

I, Lord, Thy foolish sinner low and small

by Christina Rossetti 1830–1894

From Verses (1893)

Religion

I, Lord, Thy foolish sinner low and small,
Lack all.
His heart too high was set
Who asked, What lack I yet?
Woe’s me at my most woeful pass!
I, Lord, who scarcely dare adore,
Weep sore:
Steeped in this rotten world I fear to rot.
Alas! what lack I not?
Alas! alas for me I alas
More and yet more!—

Nay, stand up on thy feet, betaking thee
To Me.
Bring fear; but much more bring
Hope to thy patient King:
What, is My pleasure in thy death?
I loved that youth who little knew
The true
Width of his want, yet worshipped with goodwill:
So love I thee, and still
Prolong thy day of grace and breath.
Rise up and do.—

Lord, let me know mine end, and certify
When I
Shall die and have to stand
Helpless on Either Hand,
Cut off, cut off, my day of grace.—
Not so: for what is that to thee?
I see
The measure and the number of thy day:
Keep patience, tho’ I slay;
Keep patience till thou see My Face.
Follow thou Me.

✦ ✦ ✦

Verses (1893), section: Christ Our All in All.

MLA

Rossetti, Christina. “I, Lord, Thy foolish sinner low and small.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/620/.

Chicago

Rossetti, Christina. “I, Lord, Thy foolish sinner low and small.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/620/.

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