5. Prayer. 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 Say 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 oppress’d and beautiful defiled, Dim alien force, that draws or holds apart From its dear home that wandering spirit-child.