If the power of God were mine, and the ample turn, <br />I never could dwell in my law, which is 'stablished and stern, <br /> <br />But my pity would plague me still! In the fare of my state <br />I would summon my ministers often to reprobate: <br /> <br />'Do ye see them walk on the unwaked streets of the town? <br />Are they not of my handmaidens, burdened and bending down? <br /> <br />'It is not yet day, and my tale of the stars not told, <br />But already they bear of their burdens, and tremble of cold. <br /> <br />'Do ye heed not her, ye stony and reconciled, <br />One gathering sticks for a fire, who is heavy with child? <br /> <br />'And one was so heavy with sleep that she watched not, and slept <br />Till it nearly was dawn, and then she arose and wept. <br /> <br />'Previsal I made, and the burning of quenchless gold, <br />Yet still they bedevil my kingdom, the dark and the cold. <br /> <br />'There is labor appointed, I know not if it shall cease, <br />Yet anon cometh night, and my daughters shall lie in peace. <br /> <br />'What avoideth my glory of firmaments keeping the way, <br />If the poor soft flesh must trouble before the day? <br /> <br />'Or spectacular stars, as they race to encircuit the deep, <br />If my littlest people is driven, and needeth sleep? <br /> <br />'For my absolute heaven is high, and nothing dependeth, <br /> <br />Yet it twitcheth my heart, when weeping of women ascendeth. <br /> <br />'Then arrange ye again how the people's task be done, <br />There shall no woman toil till they see my sign of the sun.'<br /><br />John Crowe Ransom<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-power-of-god-7/
