As I one ev'ning sat before my cell,
Me thoughts a star did shoot into my lap.
I rose, and shook my clothes, as knowing well,
That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.
When suddenly I heard one say,
-Do as thou usest, disobey,
Expell good motions from thy breast,
Which have the face of fire, but end in rest-.
I, who had heard of music in the spheres,
But not of speech in stars, began to muse:
But turning to my God, whose ministers
The stars and all things are; if I refuse,
Dread Lord, said I , so oft my good;
Then I refuse not ev'n with blood
To wash away my stubborn thought:
For I will do, or suffer what I ought.
But I have also stars and shooters too,
Born where thy servants both artilleries use.
My tears and prayers night and day do woo,
And work up to thee; yet thou dost refuse.
Not but that I am (I must say still)
Much more oblig'd to do thy will,
Than thou to grant mine: but because
Thy promise now hath ev'n set thee thy laws.
Then we are shooters both, and thou dost deign
To enter combat with us, and contest
With thine own clay. But I would parley fain:
Shun not my arrows, and behold my breast.
Yet if thou shunnest, I am thine:
I must be so, if I am mine.
There is no articling with thee:
I am but finite, yet thine infinitely.
There is no articling with thee I am but finite, yet thine infinite. Great classical poem of the day.
From both artillerist One was finite To disclose the infiniteness of another one " I am but finite, yet thine infinitely. " There is hidden the philosophy of eternity in last line, mastermind line.... Impermanence need to proclaim the existence of permanence
Shun not my arrows, and behold my breast. Yet if thou shunnest, I am thine: I must be so, if I am mine. Very fine poem full of feelings. tony
From my! ! To rest my mind with the truth! Not to refuse the pain in the cell; Able to face the laws of the land. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
I am but finite, thou infinitely'. Great!