 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
My Father's House
My Father's house, I find no entrance there;But those who buy and sell block up the way,
And that which should be called “the house of prayer,”
Is filled with those whose spirits never pray;
Father! accept my prayer that they may see,
Nor in thy presence dwell by Thee unknown;
Open their eyes that they may look on Thee,
And all thy love for disobedience own;
Be this the heaviest scourge to drive them hence,
And may thy word with gentle force persuade;
I need no sword but this for my defence,
It speaks; and by the dead shall be obeyed;
And thy new temple from pollution freed
Be filled by those who love in truth and deed.
Poem No. 336; late 1838–early 1839
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |