A Bruised Reed Shall he not Break
A soul answers Christ’s offers of acceptance and guidance by saying it can neither will nor wish. Christ recalls his suffering on the cross and asks the soul to remain still until he instills love, longing, and will.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti · Genre: Christian Devotional Poetry, Dramatic Poetry · 280 words
First lines
I will accept thy will to do and be, / Thy hatred and intolerance of sin, / Thy will at least to love, that burns within / And thirsteth after Me: / So will I render fruitful, blessing still / The germs and small beginnings in thy heart, / Because thy will cleaves to the better part. -- / Alas, I cannot will.
Dost not thou will, poor soul? Yet I receive / The inner unseen longings of the soul; / I guide them turning towards Me; I control / And charm hearts till they grieve: / If thou desire, it yet shall come to pass, / Though thou but wish indeed to choose My love; / For I have power in earth and heaven above. -- / I cannot wish, alas!
Genres
- Christian Devotional Poetry — Christ’s reference to his crucifixion grounds his promise to nurture even a soul unable to choose his love.
- Dramatic Poetry — Each stanza alternates an extended divine address with the soul’s brief reply, progressing from inability to will to inability to wish.
Tags
divine grace · spiritual helplessness · crucifixion · religious dialogue
What this Textopian page supports
A Bruised Reed Shall he not Break is listed on Textopian as a poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Devotional Poetry, Dramatic Poetry
- Length: 280 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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