A LITTLE EAST OF JORDAN (59) - Geoffrey Chaucer Poems

 
 

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A LITTLE EAST OF JORDAN (59)

A little east of Jordan,
Evangelists record,
A gymnast and an angel
Did wrestle long and hard,

Till morning touching mountain--
And Jacob, waxing strong,
The Angel begged permission
To breakfast to return.

"Not so," said cunning Jacob!
"I will not let thee go
Except thou bless me"--Stranger!
The which acceded to,

Light swung the silver fleeces
"Peniel" hills beyond,
And the bewildered gymnast
Found he had worsted God!