 | The Poems of John Clare |  |
126
TO RELIGION
Thou sacred light, that right from wrong discerns;Thou safeguard of the soul, thou heaven on earth;
Thou undervaluer of the world's concerns;
Thou disregarder of its joys and mirth;
Thou only home the houseless wanderers have;
Thou prop by which the pilgrim's woes are borne;
Thou solace of the lonely hermit's cave,
That beds him down to rest on fate's sharp thorn;
Thou only hope to sorrow's bosom given;
Thou voice of mercy when the weary call;
Thou faith extending to thy home in heaven;
Thou peace, thou rest, thou comfort, all in all:
O sovereign good! on thee all hopes depend,
Till thy grand source unfolds its realizing end.
| The Poems of John Clare | |