Great soul and free, free in a body bound,
So soaring those empyreal altitudes
Winged with his native vigor but upborne
On a strong-breasted gale of power divine
Inspiring and enabling him, who took
Undazzled, like an eagle in full gaze
Upon the sun, insufferably bright
Glimpses of heavenly glory, he yet deigned--
Nay, he ascended but to condescend
The mightier by his lofty lowliness,
From exaltation such beheld come down!--
Deigned to the level of the mean degree
Of men that needed to be counselled thus:
"Lie not one to another, seeing ye
Have put off the old man that late ye were,
Him with his deeds, and the new man put on,
The man made new through knowledge to become
Once more the image, long so far defaced,
Of that God who at first created him.
Put ye on, therefore, as elect of God
To be His holy and belovéd, all
Sweet meltingness of heart, kindness and love,
A lowly mind most meek, long-suffering,
Forbearing one another, and should ever,
But that be far! some man among you have
Complaint or quarrel against any, then,
As Christ forgave you once, forgive so ye;
And over all these vestments of the soul,
Completing them and binding them secure,
Put ye on love, girdle of perfectness.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.
"Ye wives, to your own husbands subject be,
So yielding as befits you in the Lord.
Ye husbands, love your wives and nourish not
Against them any bitterness of heart.
Children, obey your parents in all things,
For this well-pleasing is unto the Lord.
Fathers, good heed give ye not to provoke
Your children unto wrath, lest they lose heart.
Servants, your masters in the flesh obey,
Not with eye-service as men-pleasers, this,
But single-heartedly as fearing God.
And whatsoever be the thing ye do,
Heartily do it, as if doing all
For the Lord Christ in heaven and not for men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive
Guerdon of that inheritance reserved
For your true bond of service is to Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall for that wrong
Due recompense receive; and with the Lord
Is no respect of person or degree.
Ye masters, to your servants what is just
And equal render; for a Master ye,
Ye also, have who watcheth from the heaven."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account