I dare not ask a place in heaven's book, Its covers gold and Jewels for its pages, Where angels with their shining eyes may look Upon the names of heroes, saints, and sages; But only the assurance, proudly sweet. That in some lowly spot my name is written. Perhaps upon the pavement of the street, By angel foot and heavenly chariot smitten. I dare not ask a mansion in the skies, With springing towers and widening roofs extended. Ten thousand ecstasies for mind and eyes, A palace and a home superbly blended; But only for a room, a little room, In some remotest hiding-place of heaven. Where I may meditate my rightful doom, And Ood*8 dear grace unearned, so freely given. I dare not ask a place at Thy right hand, O Majesty ! O Inflnite in glory! Where John and David, Paul and Peter stand, And angels and archangels bow before Thee; But only for a place, the smallest place, Upon a road where sometimes Thou art going. That I may wait for glimpses of Thy face, ''" This be my prayer, O God, and Thy bestowing! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SCARECROW by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 19. TO AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN ODES III, 29 by QUINTUS HORATIUS FLACCUS A LEAVE-TAKING: 1 by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE |