Great God, I ask thee for no meaner pelf Than that I may not disappoint myself, That in my action I may soar as high, As I can now discern with this clear eye. And next in value, which thy kindness lends, That I may greatly disappoint my friends, Howe'er they think or hope that it may be, They may not dream how thou'st distinguished me. That my weak hand may equal my firm faith, And my life practice more than my tongue saith; That my low conduct may not show, Nor my relenting lines, That I thy purpose did not know, Or overrated thy designs. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BARNEY'S INVITATION by PHILIP FRENEAU CHIQUITA by FRANCIS BRET HARTE THE SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE: 1 by GEORGE MEREDITH A RECEIPT FOR WRITING A NOVEL by MARY (CUMBERLAND) ALCOCK TO S-----D (1) by WILLIAM BLAKE NATALIA'S RESURRECTION: 22 by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT ON A YOUNG POETESS'S GRAVE by ROBERT WILLIAMS BUCHANAN |