MASTER, I do not ask that thou With milk and wine my table spread, So much, as for the will to plough And sow my fields, and earn my bread; Lest at thy coming I be found A useless cumberer of the ground. I do not ask that thou wilt bless With gifts of heavenly sort my day, So much, as that my hands may dress The borders of my lowly way With constant deeds of good and right, Thereby reflecting heavenly light. I do not ask that thou shouldst lift My feet to mountain-heights sublime, So much, as for the heavenly gift Of strength, with which myself may climb, Making the power thou madest mine For using, by that use, divine. I do not ask that there may flow Glory about me from the skies; The knowledge, that doth knowledge know; The wisdom that is not too wise To see in all things good and fair, Thy love attested, is my prayer. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN MY SHIP COMES IN by ROBERT JONES BURDETTE THE TASK: BOOK 4. THE WINTER EVENING by WILLIAM COWPER THE EAGLE OF THE BLUE by HERMAN MELVILLE VERSES ON SEEING THE SPEAKER ASLEEP IN HIS CHAIR by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED A QUESTION by JOHN MILLINGTON SYNGE ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH WRITTEN ON A MARBLE by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |