The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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GRACES
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
262
GRACES
A POET'S GRACE
BEFORE MEAT
O Thou, who kindly dost provideFor ev'ry creature's want!
We bless the God of Nature wide
For all Thy goodness lent.
And if it please Thee, heavenly Guide,
May never worse be sent;
But, whether granted or denied,
Lord, bless us with content.
AFTER MEAT
O Thou, in whom we live and move,Who made the sea and shore,
Thy goodness constantly we prove,
And, grateful, would adore;
And, if it please Thee, Power above!
Still grant us with such store
The friend we trust, the fair we love,
And we desire no more.
263
AT THE GLOBE TAVERN
BEFORE MEAT
O Lord, when hunger pinches sore,Do Thou stand us in stead,
And send us from Thy bounteous store
A tup-or wether-head.
AFTER MEAT
1
Lord [Thee] we thank, and Thee alone,For temporal gifts we little merit!
At present we will ask no more:
Let William Hislop bring the spirit.
2
O Lord, since we have feasted thus,Which we so little merit,
Let Meg now take the flesh away,
And Jock bring in the spirit.
3
O Lord, we do Thee humbly thankFor that we little merit:
Now Jean may tak the flesh away,
And Will bring in the spirit.
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |