The Poems of Edmund Waller Edited by G. Thorn Drury |
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SOME REFLECTIONS OF HIS UPON THE SEVERAL PETITIONS IN THE SAME PRAYER. |
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 | The Poems of Edmund Waller |  |
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SOME REFLECTIONS OF HIS UPON THE SEVERAL PETITIONS IN THE SAME PRAYER.
1.
His sacred name with reverence profoundShould mentioned be, and trembling at the sound
It was Jehovah; 'tis Our Father now;
So low to us does Heaven vouchsafe to bow!
He brought it down, that taught us how to pray;
And did so dearly for our ransom pay.
2.
His kingdom come. For this we pray in vain,Unless he does in our affections reign.
Absurd it were to wish for such a King,
And not obedience to his sceptre bring,
Whose yoke is easy, and his burthen light,
His service freedom, and his judgments right.
3.
His will be done. In fact 'tis always done;But, as in Heaven, it must be made our own.
His will should all our inclinations sway,
Whom Nature, and the universe, obey
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To what has been eternally designed;
Referring all to his paternal care,
To whom more dear than to ourselves we are.
4.
It is not what our avarice hoards up;'Tis he that feeds us, and that fills our cup;
Like new-born babes depending on the breast,
From day to day we on his bounty feast;
Nor should the soul expect above a day
To dwell in her frail tenement of clay;
The setting sun should seem to bound our race,
And the new day a gift of special grace.
5.
That he should all our trespasses forgive,While we in hatred with our neighbours live;
Though so to pray may seem an easy task,
We curse ourselves when thus inclined we ask.
This prayer to use, we ought with equal care
Our souls, as to the sacrament prepare.
The noblest worship of the Power above,
Is to extol, and imitate his love;
Not to forgive our enemies alone,
But use our bounty that they may be won.
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6.
Guard us from all temptations of the foe,And those we may in several stations know;
The rich and poor in slippery places stand.
Give us enough! but with a sparing hand!
Not ill-persuading want, nor wanton wealth,
But what proportioned is to life and health.
For not the dead, but living, sing thy praise,
Exalt thy kingdom, and thy glory raise.
Virginibus puerisque canto.
—Horat.
| The Poems of Edmund Waller | |