 | The Poems of John Clare |  |
102
PRAYER
Thou power from whom all pleasure springs,
From thraldom set the feeble free,
Aid good intents on angels' wings
And make each purpose worthy thee:
From thraldom set the feeble free,
Aid good intents on angels' wings
And make each purpose worthy thee:
103
That whatsoe'er I do or think
My helpmate to life's good may be,
That, like the body's meat and drink,
May keep the soul in health for thee,
My helpmate to life's good may be,
That, like the body's meat and drink,
May keep the soul in health for thee,
True temperance: that in thine eyes
I still may live thy daily guest,
And when from table I arise
Be found in thy eternal rest.
I still may live thy daily guest,
And when from table I arise
Be found in thy eternal rest.
I seek it in no public mood
Of show, as many do their dress,
I seek it with a heart subdued
To almost utter hopelessness.
Of show, as many do their dress,
I seek it with a heart subdued
To almost utter hopelessness.
Nor will it weaken thy esteem
Or lessen favours meant for me;
Hypocrisy can never seem
In silence only heard by thee.
Or lessen favours meant for me;
Hypocrisy can never seem
In silence only heard by thee.
| The Poems of John Clare | |