HERMITS and blameless women full of Grace, To raise the heart into celestial space, In storm and strife below to strengthen it, A host of holy orisons have writ; But one of all the multitudinous host Of orison and praise has moved me most, A prayer repeated by the priest in Lent, In the dark days of fasting and lament: Upon my lips more often it will dwell -- And breathe on the faint soul a vital spell: "O Ruler of my days! Ward off from me The evil angel of despondency And sloth; and let not from my lips be heard The sharp repeating of the idle word; Save me from lust, that snake which lives within; And let me not be blind to my own sin, Blind to my brother's trespass let me, Quicken the spirit of consent in me, Of love, long-suffering and of chastity." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN APPEAL TO CATS IN THE BUSINESS OF LOVE; SONG by THOMAS FLATMAN THE AUTHOR'S EPITAPH, MADE BY HIMSELF by WALTER RALEIGH THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION: BOOK 2 by MARK AKENSIDE CLIO, NINE ECLOGUES IN HONOUR OF NINE VIRTUES: 6. OF PATIENCE by WILLIAM BASSE TO NATURE by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A GHOST by ALTER BRODY |