Religion
If not with hope of life
From Verses (1893)
Religion
If not with hope of life,
Begin with fear of death:
Strive the tremendous life-long strife
Breath after breath.
Bleed on beneath the rod;
Weep on until thou see;
Turn fear and hope to love of God
Who loveth thee.
Turn all to love, poor soul;
Be love thy watch and ward;
Be love thy starting-point, thy goal,
And thy reward.
✦ ✦ ✦
Codex Note
Verses (1893), section: Songs for Strangers and Pilgrims.
Cite this poem
MLA
Rossetti, Christina. “If not with hope of life.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/823/.
Chicago
Rossetti, Christina. “If not with hope of life.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rossetti_c/823/.
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