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ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I stood upon a high place,

And saw, below, many devils

Running, leaping,

And carousing in sin.

…

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adjective

Engaged in or ready for action; characterized by energetic work, thought, or speech.

“The students were very active in class discussions, asking many thoughtful questions.”

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There Is No God, the Wicked Sayeth

32 lines
Arthur Hugh Clough·1819–1861
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There is no God," the wicked saith,"And truly it's a blessing,For what He might have done with usIt's better only guessing." "There is no God," a youngster thinks,"or really, if there may be,He surely did not mean a manAlways to be a baby." "There is no God, or if there is,"The tradesman thinks, "'twere funnyIf He should take it ill in meTo make a little money." "Whether there be," the rich man says,"It matters very little,For I and mine, thank somebody,Are not in want of victual." Some others, also, to themselves,Who scarce so much as doubt it,Think there is none, when they are well,And do not think about it. But country folks who live beneathThe shadow of the steeple;The parson and the parson's wife,And mostly married people; Youths green and happy in first love,So thankful for illusion;And men caught out in what the worldCalls guilt, in first confusion; And almost everyone when age,Disease, or sorrows strike him,Inclines to think there is a God,Or something very like Him.
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