THE GARDEN OF MY SOUL
CHRIST in the Garden of my Soul
Walked with me, hand in hand.
The flaming Poppies tossed their heads,
And glorified the Land.
Walked with me, hand in hand.
The flaming Poppies tossed their heads,
And glorified the Land.
Yet Christ said: "Why these gaudy flowers
Flaunting their varied hues?
They tell of Prejudice and Pride,
Of stubborn wilful views."
Flaunting their varied hues?
They tell of Prejudice and Pride,
Of stubborn wilful views."
For Lilies then we vainly sought,
Few in that Garden grew,
"Their day was over," so folks said,
"The old gives place to new.
Few in that Garden grew,
"Their day was over," so folks said,
"The old gives place to new.
"This poison plant of Envy's growth,
That ripens in the shade,
See, what a dark, and hideous shape,
Upon the ground is laid.
That ripens in the shade,
See, what a dark, and hideous shape,
Upon the ground is laid.
"And all these rank and bitter weeds,
That choke the fair flower's growth,
Ah! Daughter!" sadly did he speak,
"These are the fruits of sloth!"
That choke the fair flower's growth,
Ah! Daughter!" sadly did he speak,
"These are the fruits of sloth!"
And to the farthest end we came,
Upon a barren plot
Where sunrays rioted all day,
A sweet and lovely spot.
Upon a barren plot
Where sunrays rioted all day,
A sweet and lovely spot.
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