Is The Hound of Heaven in the public domain?

Yes. "The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson is in the public domain in the United States, which means it's free to read, download, and distribute. The full text is available free on Lex with no signup required.

Can I read The Hound of Heaven online for free?

Yes, you can read the full text of "The Hound of Heaven" by Francis Thompson for free on Lex. No signup or download required. Just open the book and start reading in your browser, or open it in the iOS or Android app for offline reading.

How long does it take to read The Hound of Heaven?

"The Hound of Heaven" is approximately 8,228 words, which takes the average reader (~250 words per minute) about 33 minutes to finish. Lex tracks your reading time and pages-per-session so you can see your real pace.

Is there a free audiobook of The Hound of Heaven?

"The Hound of Heaven" does not currently have a free audiobook available on Lex, but you can read the full text for free online.

Who wrote The Hound of Heaven?

"The Hound of Heaven" was written by Francis Thompson. English poet and mystic known for his haunting imagery and struggles with addiction.

The Hound of Heaven

Francis Thompson

The Hound of Heaven

Francis Thompson

One of the most haunting poems in the English language, 'The Hound of Heaven' pursues the reader like its subject pursues the soul. Francis Thompson, a Victorian poet who wandered London's streets in poverty and opium haze, gave voice to an ancient terror: that divine love will find you no matter how fiercely you run. The poem's speaker flees through the labyrinth of his own heart, hiding in the arms of lovers, in the beauty of nature, in the noise of the world. But the hound follows. The imagery is unforgettable: terrible and tender, a great grey God-breast of divine pursuit that chases the fleeing soul across fields and cities and the chambers of the mind. Thompson's language burns with a desperate beauty, each line带货ing the weight of someone who knew both the pull of heaven and the gravity of his own fall. The poem asks the question every spiritual person must face: when love pursues you with relentless feet, will you let yourself be caught?