Observations placeholder
Thompson, Francis - Strange Chief, with the scars of Thy conquest trenched about
Identifier
003731
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Hound of Heaven and other poems – Francis Thompson
O Captain of the wars, whence won Ye so great scars?
In what fight did Ye smite, and what manner was the foe?
Was it on a day of rout they compassed Thee about,
Or gat Ye these adornings when Ye wrought their overthrow?
''Twas on a day of rout they girded Me about,
They wounded all My brow, and they smote me through the side
My hand held no sword, when I met their armed horde
And the conqueror fell down, and the Conquered bruised his pride'
What is this, unheard before, that the Unarmed makes war
And the Slain hath the gain, and the victor hath the rout?
What wars, then, are these, and what the enemies,
Strange Chief, with the scars of Thy conquest trenched about