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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LITANY OF THE COMFORTABLE by VIOLA CHITTENDEN WHITE

First Line: REMEMBERING THY SACRIFICIAL THRONE
Last Line: WE LOOK UPON THY FACE.
Subject(s): GOD; PRAYER;
Remembering Thy sacrificial throne,
We chosen guardians of revelation
Establish on the earth the Word's foundation
On men that groan.

We praise and magnify Thee, that of the seed
Thy martyrs planted who in anguish died,
We are the fruit indeed,
Consummate, justified.

Against inquiry and ardor's heat
Thy mercy we entreat;
From consequence untoward and perilous
@3Deliver us;@1

From rod and tribulation for Thy sake
@3Deliver us;@1

From slander, ruin and from social break
@3Deliver us:@1

From all excess of love and penitence;
From unproductive forms of violence
@3Deliver us;@1

From needless pain and execrated sorrow;
From the fool's paradise, unplanned tomorrow;
From hunger fell with its fell partner thirst;
From leprous blight of poverty accursed;
From exile, revolution and the rest
That Thou hast blest,
@3Deliver us;@1

And at the last, we pray Thee, of Thy Grace
From sudden death
@3Deliver us;@1

Lest it be truly as the prophet saith,
That in unsheltered space
We look upon Thy face.



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