OH, for a mind more clear to see, A hand to work more earnestly For every good intent; Oh, for a Peter's fiery zeal, His conscience always quick to feel, And instant to repent! Oh, for a faith more strong and true Than that which doubting Thomas knew, A faith assured and clear; To know that He who for us died, Rejected, scorned, and crucified, Lives, and is with us here. Oh, for the blessing shed upon That humble, loving, sinful one, Who, when He sat at meat, With precious store of ointment came; Hid from her Lord her face for shame, And laid it on his feet. Oh, for that look of pity seen By her, the guilty Magdalene, Who stood her Judge before; And listening, for her comfort heard, The tender, sweet, forgiving word: -- Go thou, and sin no more! Oh, to have stood with James and John, Where brightness round the Saviour shone, Whiter than light of day; When by the voice and cloud dismayed, They fell upon the ground afraid, And wist not what to say. Oh, to have been the favored guest, That leaned at supper on his breast, And heard his dear Lord say: He who shall testify of Me, The Comforter, ye may not see Except I go away. Oh, for the honor won by her, Who early to the sepulchre Hastened in tearful gloom; To whom He gave his high behest, To tell to Peter and the rest, Their Lord had left the tomb. Oh, for the vision that sufficed That first blest martyr after Christ, And gave a peace so deep, That while he saw with raptured eyes Jesus with God in Paradise, He, praying, feel asleep. But if such heights I may not gain, O thou, to whom no soul in vain Or cries, or makes complaints; This only favor grant to me, -- That I of sinners chief, may be The least of all thy saints! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MERCY OF LAZARUS by STEPHEN DOBYNS SONNET: TO FANNY by JOHN KEATS MAGUS MUIR by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN TO MISS F. B. ON ASKING FOR MRS. BARBAULD'S LOVE AND TIME by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE PRAYSE OF LADY PECUNIA by RICHARD BARNFIELD |