Triolet

I'm a puir man I grant,
But I am weel neiboured;
And nane shall me daunt
Though a puir man, I grant;
For I shall not want--
The Lord is my Shepherd!
I'm a puir man I grant,
But I am weel neiboured!

George MacDonald

George MacDonald (1824–1905) was a Scottish author, poet, and Christian minister best known for his fairy tales and fantasy novels. He was a pioneer in the fantasy genre, influencing notable writers such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. His major works include "Phantastes" and "Lilith," as well as numerous poems and other literary works. MacDonald's writings are characterized by their imaginative qualities and deep spiritual insight.

George MacDonald

Little Elfie.

George MacDonald, Simple Poetry

Translations. - The Hundred And Twenty-Fourth Psalm. (Luther's Song-Book.)

George MacDonald, Simple Poetry

Songs Of The Spring Days

George MacDonald, Simple Poetry

Translations. - A Song of Praise for the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Luther's Song-Book.)

George MacDonald, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Triolet

Oh that men would praise the Lord
    For his goodness unto men!
Forth he sends his saving word,
    --Oh that men would praise the Lord!--
And from shades of death abhorred
    Lifts them up to light again:
Oh that men would praise the Lord
    For his goodness unto men!

George MacDonald

Wha's My Neibour?

Doon frae Jerus'lem a traveller took
    The laigh road to Jericho;
It had an ill name an' mony a crook,
    It was lang an' unco how.

Oot cam the robbers, an' fell o' the man,
    An' knockit him o' the heid,
Took a' whauron they couth lay their han',
    An' left him nakit for deid.

By cam a minister o' the kirk:
    "A sair mishanter!" he cried;
"Wha kens whaur the villains may lirk!
    I s' haud to the ither side!"

By cam an elder o' the kirk;
    Like a young horse he shied:
"Fie! here's a bonnie mornin's wark!"
    An' he spangt to the ither side.

By cam ane gaed to the wrang kirk;
    Douce he trottit alang.
"Puir body!" he cried, an' wi' a yerk
    Aff o' his cuddy he sprang.

He ran to the body, an' tu...

George MacDonald

The Auld Man's Prayer

Lord, I'm an auld man,
    An' I'm deein!
An' do what I can
    I canna help bein
Some feart at the thoucht!
I'm no what I oucht!
An' thou art sae gran',
Me but an auld man!

I haena gotten muckle
    Guid o' the warld;
Though siller a puckle
    Thegither I hae harlt,
Noo I maun be rid o' 't,
The ill an' the guid o' 't!
An' I wud--I s' no back frae 't--
Rather put til 't nor tak frae 't!

It's a pity a body
    Coudna haud on here,
Puttin cloddy to cloddy
    Till he had a bit lan' here!--
But eh I'm forgettin
Whaur the tide's settin!
It'll pusion my prayer
Till it's no worth a hair!

It's awfu, it's awfu
    To think 'at I'm gaein
Whaur a' 's ower wi' the lawfu,
    Whaur's an en' til a' h...

George MacDonald

Triolet

Few in joy's sweet riot
Able are to listen:
Thou, to make me quiet,
Quenchest the sweet riot,
Tak'st away my diet,
Puttest me in prison--
Quenchest joy's sweet riot
That the heart may listen.

George MacDonald

Mirls

The stars are steady abune;
    I' the water they flichter and flee;
But, steady aye, luikin doon
    They ken theirsels i' the sea.

A' licht, and clear, and free,
    God, thou shinest abune;
Yet luik, and see thysel in me,
    Aye on me luikin doon.



Throu the heather an' how gaed the creepin thing,
But abune was the waff o' an angel's wing.



Hither an' thither, here an' awa,
Into the dub ye maunna fa';
Oot o' the dub wad ye come wi' speed,
Ye maun lift yer han's abune yer heid.



Whaur's nor sun nor mune,
Laigh things come abune.



My thouchts are like worms in a starless gloamin
    My hert's like a sponge that's fillit wi' gall;
My soul's like a bodiless ghaist sent a roamin...

George MacDonald

The Human.

Within each living man there doth reside,
In some unrifled chamber of the heart,
A hidden treasure: wayward as thou art
I love thee, man, and bind thee to my side!
By that sweet act I purify my pride
And hasten onward--willing even to part
With pleasant graces: though thy hue is swart,
I bear thee company, thou art my guide!
Even in thy sinning wise beyond thy ken
To thee a subtle debt my soul is owing!
I take an impulse from the worst of men
That lends a wing unto my onward going;
Then let me pay them gladly back again
With prayer and love from Faith and Duty flowing!

George MacDonald