The Bible According to Dickinson: A Selection of Poems
Emily Dickinson, pictured in the preceding article in the only known image of her as an adult, wrote nearly 1,800 poems, although she never saw the majority published. As discussed in the accompanying article, Dickinson’s poems have deep personal spiritual meaning, and many make reference, sometimes quite subtly, to the Bible. Six of her poems on biblical themes are reprinted below.
The photo above shows the original manuscript of “The Bible is an antique Volume,” written in 1882, and provides a glimpse into Dickinson’s writing process. The poem is unusual for having a title (most of Dickinson’s poems did not) and is a fine example of the precision with which she chose her words. Compare the published poem, reprinted below, with her original notes, on the manuscript, where initial word possibilities are coupled with second choices. “Judas—the first Defaulter” becomes “Judas—the Great Defaulter” in line 7; on the second page (partially hidden) a passage is crossed out entirely. Manuscript and photograph courtesy Amherst College Archives and Special Collections.
Poem 1545 (c. 1882)
The Bible is an antique Volume…
Written by faded Men
At the suggestion of Holy Spectres…
Subjects…Bethlehem…
Eden…the ancient Homestead…
Satan…the Brigadier…
Judas…the Great Defaulter…
David…the Troubadour…
Sin…a distinguished Precipice
Others must resist…
Boys that “believe” are very lonesome…
Other boys are “lost”…
Had but the Tale a warbling Teller…
All the Boys would come…
Orpheus’ Sermon captivated…
It did not condemn…
Poem 1317 (c. 1874)
Abraham to kill him
Was distinctly told…
Isaac was an Urchin…
Abraham was old…
Not a hesitation…
Abraham complied…
Flattered by Obeisance
Tyranny demurred…
Isaac…to his children
Lived to tell the tale…
Moral…with a Mastiff
Manners may prevail.
Poem 597 (c. 1862)
It always felt to me…a wrong
To that Old Moses…done…
To let him see…the Canaan…
Without the entering…
And tho’ in soberer moments…
No Moses there can be
I’m satisfied…the Romance
In point of injury…
Surpasses sharper stated…
Of Stephen…or of Paul…
For these…were only put to death…
While God’s adroiter will
On Moses…seemed to fasten
With tantalizing Play
As Boy…should deal with lesser Boy…
To prove ability.
The fault…was doubtless Israel’s…
Myself…had banned the Tribes…
And ushered Grand Old Moses
In Pentateuchal Robes
Upon the Broad Procession
’Twas little…But titled Him…to see…
Old Man on Nebo! Late as this…
My justice bleeds…for Thee!
Poem 59 (c. 1859)
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!
Poem 497 (c. 1862)
He strained my faith…
Did he find it supple?
Shook my strong trust…
Did it then…yield?
Hurled my belief…
But…did he shatter…it?
Racked…with suspense…
Not a nerve failed!
Wrung me…with Anguish…
But I never doubted him…
’Tho’ for what wrong
He did never say…
Stabbed…while I sued
His sweet forgiveness…
Jesus…it’s your little “John”!
Don’t you know…me?
Poem 1254 (c. 1873)
Elijah’s Wagon knew no thill
Was innocent of Wheel
Elijah’s horses as unique
As was his vehicle…
Elijah’s journey to portray
Expire with him the skill
Who justified Elijah
In feats inscrutable…