5.
Prayer.
In reverence will we speak of those that woo1
The ear Divine with clear and ready prayer ;2
And, while their voices cleave the Sabbath air,3
Know their bright thoughts are winging heavenward too.4
Yet many a one— “ the latchet of whose shoe”5
These might not loose—will often only dare6
Say some poor words between him and despair—7
“ Father, forgive ! we know not what we do.”8
For, as Christ pray’d, so echoes our weak heart,9
Yearning the ways of God to vindicate ;10
But worn and wilder’d by the shows of fate,11
Of good oppress’d and beautiful defiled,12
Dim alien force, that draws or holds apart13
From its dear home that wandering spirit-child.14