 | My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays |  |
55
PRAYER TO PATIENCE.
Calm Goddess of the steadfast eye,
Thy coldest apathy impart,
Since from a world of woe I fly
To thee—O! take me to thy heart.
Thy coldest apathy impart,
Since from a world of woe I fly
To thee—O! take me to thy heart.
On me descend with healing power,
Assist me to suppress the groan,
Or give me while afflictions lower,
To turn, like Niobe, to stone.
Assist me to suppress the groan,
Or give me while afflictions lower,
To turn, like Niobe, to stone.
Let me to pride's exulting sneer,
Oppose thy much enduring smile,
Serene—when angry storms appear,
Silent—if ruder words revile.
Oppose thy much enduring smile,
Serene—when angry storms appear,
Silent—if ruder words revile.
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Subdue the tyrant of the mind,
Oppressive enemy of thee:
Ah! who can hope or solace find,
When racked by sensibility.
Oppressive enemy of thee:
Ah! who can hope or solace find,
When racked by sensibility.
Release me from her wearing sway,
And shield me with thy firmer aid,
Secure, when I thy voice obey;
Gentle and peace-preserving maid.
And shield me with thy firmer aid,
Secure, when I thy voice obey;
Gentle and peace-preserving maid.
If greater pangs this bosom rend,
Than ever bosom felt before;
Still further may thy sway extend,
And greater, deeper be thy power.
Than ever bosom felt before;
Still further may thy sway extend,
And greater, deeper be thy power.
Be every wrong disarmed by thee,
Rob poor presumption of her pride,
Bid malice at thy presence flee,
Turn envy's venom'd shaft aside.
Rob poor presumption of her pride,
Bid malice at thy presence flee,
Turn envy's venom'd shaft aside.
Let false reproach some mercy feel,
To mean neglect be kindness lent;
From passion wrest his lifted steel,
From dark revenge, his discontent.
To mean neglect be kindness lent;
From passion wrest his lifted steel,
From dark revenge, his discontent.
Power of the meek and silent eye,
Surround me with thy placid charms;
To thy calm graces let me fly,
My only refuge is thine arms.
Surround me with thy placid charms;
To thy calm graces let me fly,
My only refuge is thine arms.
| My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays | |