WHEN I am sad, I say, "What boots it me to strive, And vex my spirit day by day, Dead memories to revive? "Alas! what good will come, Though we our prayer obtain, To bring old times triumphant home, And wandering flocks regain? "Would not our history run In the same weary round, And service in meek faith begun, At length in forms be bound? "Union would give us strength -- That strength the earth subdue And then comes wealth, and pride at length, And sloth, and prayers untrue." Nay, this is worldly-wise; To reason is a crime, Since the Lord bade His Church arise, In the dark ancient time. He wills that she should shine; So we her flame must trim Around His soul-converting Sign, And leave the rest to Him. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOLIATH AND DAVID by ROBERT RANKE GRAVES THE AGONY [AGONIE] by GEORGE HERBERT IF WE MUST DIE by CLAUDE MCKAY THE MEANING OF PRAYER by JAMES MONTGOMERY THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS by MARIA ABDY AN ARAB WELCOME by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE by CECIL FRANCES ALEXANDER |