 | Jones Very : The Complete Poems |  |
Thoughts and Desires
How, in the inmost soul,
Do thoughts, desires have birth?
Own they no just controul,
Are they of heaven, or earth;
Do thoughts, desires have birth?
Own they no just controul,
Are they of heaven, or earth;
As chance, or outward things
Do bid them come and go?
Can none controul the springs
Of his own joy, or woe?
Do bid them come and go?
Can none controul the springs
Of his own joy, or woe?
Yes: ours the power of prayer
To Him, who rules within;
Whose sway extends e'en there,
Where thoughts, desires begin.
To Him, who rules within;
Whose sway extends e'en there,
Where thoughts, desires begin.
God's eye doth there behold
The thoughts of every mind;
The heart's desire untold,
The purpose, but designed.
The thoughts of every mind;
The heart's desire untold,
The purpose, but designed.
And He can cleanse the heart
From every guilty stain;
And Peace and Power impart,
That ever will remain.
From every guilty stain;
And Peace and Power impart,
That ever will remain.
Lord, give us strength to pray,
To fix the wandering thought;
Till we have learned thy perfect way,
And unto Thee are brought.
To fix the wandering thought;
Till we have learned thy perfect way,
And unto Thee are brought.
Poem No. 188; April 1851
| Jones Very : The Complete Poems | |