NOW I am cast into the serpent pit <br />And, catching difficult breath <br />From the writhing, loathsome, ceaseless stir of it, <br />The venomous whispers of curling, clasping Death, <br />I lift my soul out of the pit to Thee <br />And reaching with my soul to where Thou art <br />Look down, seeing with free heart <br />The beast God gave my soul for company <br />Lie with companions fit; <br />And bid, with a good will, <br />The serpent-fangs of ill <br />Take their foul fill <br />Of the foul fell it wore. <br />Though a thousand serpent heads were raised to slay, <br />A thousand twisting coils writhed where it lay, <br />There lies the beast, there let it lie for me <br />And agonize and rave; <br />For Thou has raised my soul, Thy soul, to Thee! <br />Thy soul, dear Lord, Thou hast been strong to save!<br /><br />Edith Nesbit<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/de-profundis-10/
