The later poems of John Clare 1837-1864 ... General editor Eric Robinson: Edited by Eric Robinson and David Powell: Associate editor Margaret Grainger |
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PRAYER OF HABACUK |
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 | The later poems of John Clare |  |
147
PRAYER OF HABACUK
I heard thee O Lord & was stricken with fearWhen the voice of thy wrath rung a knell to my ear
Revive thou thy work in the midst of my days
That my heart may rejoice in thy bounty & praise
O Lord ere thy vengance in fury come forth
Remember thy mercy in midst of thy wrath
Thou, Lord God of Temaan, thou most holy one
From the mountains of Paran thy presence was shown
Thy glory encircled the face of the sky
& the earth it was full of thy praise from on high
Thy brightness was glory the essence of light
& thy hands held the horns of thy power in my sight
Before thee pale famine & pestilence came
& coals at thy feet burnt & kindled to flame
He measured the earth in loud pealings of thunder
He beheld & the nations were driven asunder
The hills everlasting were shook in his scales
The perpetual mountains bowed down into vales
His power is eternal everlasting his ways
& earth air & heaven are full of his praise
The tents of all Cush in affliction I saw
& The Curtains of Midian did tremble in awe
Was thy wrath against rivers O Lord that they flee
Did thine anger swell mountains in calms of the sea
When thou rode on thy horses & chariots of fire
O Lord was the chosen's salvation thine Ire
Thy Bow was quite naked—Lord sheath up thy sword
According to the oaths of the tribes & thy word
Thou didst cleave earth with rivers that mightily sped
Mountains saw thee & trembled, yea, trembled & fled
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The deep uttered voices & mounted on high
His brine in the clouds of the heaven was mixed
Sun & Moon in their grand habitation were fixed
These all wait on thee though high mountains in size
& their meat in due season thy bounty supplies
That thou givest they feed on as succour & food
Thou op'nest thy hand lo! it fills them with good
Thou hidest thy face they are troubled & cry
Thou takest their breath & in dust they all lie
Thou sendest thy spirit they start into birth
& again thou renewest the face of the earth
The glory of God is endureing for ever
The Lord shall rejoice in his works as the giver
Though thou lookest on earth & it quakes at thy stroke
Though he toucheth the hills in their pride & they smoke
I will sing while I live my creator to praise
I will sing praise to God to the end of my days
Meditation of him shall sweet comfort afford
& my heart shall be glad in the Love of the Lord
Let sinners consume from the face of the earth
Let the wicked no more have a being or birth
Bless thou the Lord o my heart & my soul
Praise ye the Lord long as seasons shall roll
| The later poems of John Clare | |