Although we do not all the good we love, But still, in love, desire to do the same; Nor leave the sins we hate, but hating move Our soul and body's powers their powers to tame; The good we do God takes as done aright, That we desire to do he takes as done; The sin we shun he will with grace requite, And not impute the sin we seek to shun. But good desires produce no worser deeds, For God doth both together lightly give, Because he knows a righteous man must needs By faith, that works by love, forever live. Then to do nought but only in desire Is love that burns, but burns like painted fire. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICA (1) by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT JEPHTHA'S DAUGHTER by GEORGE GORDON BYRON LYRICS TO IANTHE (2). LAMENT by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE FALL OF RICHMOND [APRIL, 1865] by HERMAN MELVILLE AN ESCAPE by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE |