Poem: “A man went before a strange God” by Stephen Crane

The Black Rider & Other Lines (1905)

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American Literature – American Poetry – Stephen Crane – Poems by Stephen Crane –The Black Rider & Other Lines
< < < You say you are holy
Why do you strive for greatness, fool? > > >

A man went before a strange God

A man went before a strange God —
The God of many men, sadly wise.
And the deity thundered loudly,
Fat with rage, and puffing.
“Kneel, mortal, and cringe
And grovel and do homage
To My Particularly Sublime Majesty.”

The man fled.

Then the man went to another God —
The God of his inner thoughts.
And this one looked at him
With soft eyes
Lit with infinite comprehension,
And said, “My poor child!”

< < < You say you are holy
Why do you strive for greatness, fool? > > >

American Literature – American Poetry – Stephen Crane – Poems by Stephen Crane – The Black Rider & Other Lines

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The Black Rider & Other Lines (1905)

A man went before a strange God

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