Dear friend! whose holy, ever-living lines Have done much good To many, and have checked my blood, My fierce, wild blood that still heaves and inclines, But is still tamed By those bright fires which thee inflamed; Here I join hands, and thrust my stubborn heart Into thy @3Deed@1, There from no @3duties@1 to be freed, And if hereafter @3youth@1, or @3folly@1 thwart And claim their share, Here I renounce the pois'nous ware. ii Accept, dread Lord, the poor oblation, It is but poor, Yet through thy mercies may be more. O thou! that canst not wish my soul's damnation, Afford me life, And save me from all inward strife! Two @3lifes@1 I hold from thee, my gracious Lord, Both cost thee dear, For one, I am thy tenant here; The other, the true life, in the next world And endless is, O let me still mind @3that@1 in @3this@1! To thee therefore my @3Thoughts@1, @3Words@1, @3Actions@1 I do resign, Thy will in all be done, not mine. Settle my @3house@1, and shut out all distractions That may unknit My heart, and thee planted in it; Lord Jesu! thou didst bow thy blessed head Upon a tree, O do as much, now unto me! O hear and heal thy servant! Lord, strike dead All lusts in me, Who only wish life to serve thee! Suffer no more this dust to overflow And drown my eyes, But seal, or pin them to thy skies. And let this @3grain@1 which here in tears I sow Though @3dead@1 and @3sick@1, Through thy @3increase@1 grow @3new@1 and @3quick@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE FOR THE BURIAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT A DEPOSITION FROM LOVE by THOMAS CAREW THE CAPTAIN; AFTER READING HENLEY'S INVICTUS by DOROTHEA DAY TOM MOONEY by WILLIAM ELLERY LEONARD THE SABBATH MORNING by JOHN LEYDEN TALES OF A WAYSIDE INN: THE FIRST DAY: PAUL REVERE'S RIDE [APRIL 1775] by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW BALLADE OF MYSELF AND MONSIEUR RABELAIS by LEONARD BACON (1887-1954) |