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1893–1918

Parable of the Old Men and the Young

Wilfred Owen

So Abram rose, and clave the wood, and went, And took the fire with him, and a knife. And as they sojourned both of them together, Isaac the first-born spake and said, My Father,

Behold the preparations, fire and iron, But where the lamb for this burnt-offering? Then Abram bound the youth with belts and straps, And builded parapets and trenches there,

And stretch \ ed forth the knife to slay his son. When lo! an angel called him out of heaven, Saying, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, Neither do anything to him. Behold,

A ram caught in a thicket by its horns; Offer the Ram of Pride instead of him. But the old man would not so, but slew his son....

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