Religion

The Bargain

by Henry van Dyke 1852–1933

From The Poems of Henry van Dyke (1925)

Religion

What shall I give for thee,
Thou Pearl of greatest price?
For all the treasures I possess
Would not suffice.

I give my store of gold;
It is but earthly dross:
But thou wilt make me rich, beyond
All fear of loss.

Mine honours I resign;
They are but small at best:
Thou like a royal star wilt shine
Upon my breast.

My worldly joys I give,
The flowers with which I played;
Thy beauty, far more heavenly fair,
Shall never fade.

Dear Lord, is that enough?
Nay, not a thousandth part.
Well, then, I have but one thing more:
Take Thou my heart.

✦ ✦ ✦

From "Songs of Hearth and Altar".

MLA

Dyke, Henry van. “The Bargain.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/vandyke/76/.

Chicago

Dyke, Henry van. “The Bargain.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/vandyke/76/.

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