 | Petition to the Deil |  |
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THE PHARISEE TURN'D PUBLICAN.
A Vision of the Future.
September 1, 1914.
I.
Shorn of his sceptre and his crown,And to the dust of death bow'd down—
Lord! let me live until I see
Him suppliant on his bended knee,
Wailing aloud,
Conquer'd and cow'd,
“O God, be merciful to me!”
II.
Let this be heThat stood of old
Within Thy temple bold,
Confronting Thee!
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III.
The pharisee!Was not his prayer a boast?
“Glory is mine, and power, and gold,
And fleets, and armies manifold:
My empire shall command the sea,
My sword extend to every coast!
Let heaven and all its host
Behold and see
How great I am, how strong and good,
Subduing all and unsubdued—
But greater yet my name shall be!”
IV.
Speed, Retribution, swift and wide,From east to west, from sea to sea,
And strike him from his place of pride,
And make him cry on humbled knee,
“O God, be merciful to me!”
| Petition to the Deil | |