PLEAD FOR ME
Oh, thy bright eyes must answer
now,
When Reason, with a scornful
brow,
Is mocking at my overthrow!
Oh, thy sweet tongue must
plead for me
And tell why I have chosen
thee!
Stern Reason is to judgment
come,
Arrayed in all her forms
of gloom:
Wilt thou, my advocate,
be dumb?
No, radiant angel, speak
and say,
Why I did cast the world
away.
Why I have persevered to
shun
The common paths that others
run;
And on a strange road journeyed
on,
Heedless, alike of wealth
and power--
Of glory's wreath and pleasure's
flower.
These, once, indeed, seemed
Beings Divine;
And they, perchance, heard
vows of mine,
And saw my offerings on
their shrine;
But careless gifts are seldom
prized,
And MINE were worthily despised.
So, with a ready heart, I
swore
To seek their altar-stone
no more;
And gave my spirit to adore
Thee, ever-present, phantom
thing--
My slave, my comrade, and
my king.
A slave, because I rule thee
still;
Incline thee to my changeful
will,
And make thy influence good
or ill:
A comrade, for by day and
night
Thou art my intimate delight,--
My darling pain that wounds
and sears,
And wrings a blessing out
from tears
By deadening me to earthly
cares;
And yet, a king, though
Prudence well
Have taught thy subject
to rebel
And am I wrong to worship
where
Faith cannot doubt, nor
hope despair,
Since my own soul can grant
my prayer?
Speak, God of visions, plead
for me,
And tell why I have chosen
thee! |
