IN reverence will we speak of those that woo The ear Divine with clear and ready prayer; And, while their voices cleave the Sabbath air, Know their bright thoughts are winging heavenward too. Yet many a one, -- "the latchet of whose shoe" These might not loose, -- will often only dare Lay some poor words between him and despair -- "Father forgive! we know not what we do." For, as Christ pray'd, so echoes our weak heart, Yearning the ways of God to vindicate, But worn and wilder'd by the shows of fate, Of good oppressed and beautiful defiled, Dim alien force, that draws or holds apart From its dear home that wandering spirit-child. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SHALL I SAY by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AQUATINT FRAMED IN GOLD by AMY LOWELL MEMORY OF APRIL by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS FAREWELL TO LOVE by JOHN DONNE PER PACEM AD LUCEM by ADELAIDE ANNE PROCTER DREAM-LOVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI A DRINKING SONG by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE LADY UNKNOWN by ALEXANDER (ALEKSANDR) ALEXANDROVICH BLOK AN ELEGY ON THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF THOMAS AYLEWORTH, SLAIN AT CROYDON by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |