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Photo of Gerard Manley Hopkins

Hopkins, Gerard Manley

Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. was an English poet, Roman Catholic convert, and Jesuit priest, whose posthumous 20th-century fame established him among the leading Victorian poets.. English poet Roman Catholic convert and Jesuit priest

Email Poem - The Half-way HouseEmail Poem

The Half-way House

 Love I was shewn upon the mountain-side
And bid to catch Him ere the dropp of day.
See, Love, I creep and Thou on wings dost ride: 
Love it is evening now and Thou away; 
Love, it grows darker here and Thou art above; 
Love, come down to me if Thy name be Love.

My national old Egyptian reed gave way; 
I took of vine a cross-barred rod or rood.
Then next I hungered: Love when here, they say, 
Or once or never took love's proper food; 
But I must yield the chase, or rest and eat. - 
Peace and food cheered me where four rough ways meet.

Hear yet my paradox: Love, when all is given, 
To see Thee I must [see] Thee, to love, love; 
I must o'ertake Thee at once and under heaven
If I shall overtake Thee at last above.
You have your wish; enter these walls, one said: 
He is with you in the breaking of the bread.



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