quote · Legacy record
There is a poor Blind Man, who every day, In summer sunshine, or in winter’s rain, Duly as tolls the bell to the high fane, Explores, with faltering footsteps, his dark way, To kneel before his Maker, and to hear The chanted service pealing full and clear. Ask why, alone, in the same spot he kneels Through the long year? Oh! the wide world is cold, As dark to him; here, he no longer feels His sad bereavement—Faith and Hope uphold His heart—he feels not he is poor and blind, Amid the unpitying tumult of mankind: As thro’ the aisles the choral anthems roll, His soul is in the choirs above the skies, And songs, far off, of angel companies. Oh! happy, if the Rich—the Vain—the Proud— The plumed Actors in life’s motley crowd,— Since pride is dust, and life itself a span,— Would learn one Lesson from a poor Blind Man.
There is a poor Blind Man, who every day, In summer sunshine, or in winter’s rain, Duly as tolls the bell to the high fane, Explores, with faltering footsteps, his dark way, To kneel before his Maker, and to hear The chanted service pealing full and clear. Ask why, alone, in the same spot he kneels Through the long year? Oh! the wide world is cold, As dark to him; here, he no longer feels His sad bereavement—Faith and Hope uphold His heart—he feels not he is poor and blind, Amid the unpitying tumult of mankind: As thro’ the aisles the choral anthems roll, His soul is in the choirs above the skies, And songs, far off, of angel companies. Oh! happy, if the Rich—the Vain—the Proud— The plumed Actors in life’s motley crowd,— Since pride is dust, and life itself a span,— Would learn one Lesson from a poor Blind Man.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Lisle Bowles (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 78 · printed citation: Lisle Bowles · subject: BLINDNESS
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.