The Trust
Robert William Service 1874 – 1958
Because I've eighty years and odd,
And darkling is my day,
I now prepare to meet my God,
And for forgiveness pray.
Not for salvation is my plea,
Nor Heaven hope,--just rest:
Begging: "Dear Father, pardon me,
I did not do my best.
"I did not measure with the Just
To serve my fellow men;
But unto levity and lust
I loaned my precious pen.
I sorrow for the sacred touch,
And though I toiled with zest,
Dear God, have mercy, in-as-much
I did not do my best.
"I bless You for the gift you gave
That brought me golden joy;
Yet here beside the gentle grave
I grieve for its employ.
Have pity, Lord,--so well I know
I failed you in the test,
And my last thought is one of woe:
I did not do my best."
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 42 sec read
- 114 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | ababcdcD efefgdgD hihijdjD |
---|---|
Closest metre | Iambic tetrameter |
Characters | 768 |
Words | 143 |
Stanzas | 3 |
Stanza Lengths | 8, 8, 8 |
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"The Trust" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 12 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/32671/the-trust>.
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