Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.

Anonymous

The Invitation


LORD, 1 what unvalued pleasures crown’d
The days of old;
When Thou wert so familiar found,
Those days were gold;

When Abram wished, Thou could’st afford	5
With him to feast;
When Lot but said, “Turn in, my Lord,”
Thou wert his guest.

But ah! this heart of mine doth pant
And beat for Thee;	10
Yet Thou art strange, and will not grant
Thyself to me!

What, shall thy people be so dear
To Thee no more?
Or is not heaven to earth as near	15
As heretofore?

The famished raven’s hoarser cry
Finds out Thine ear;
My soul is famished and I die
Unless Thou hear.	20

Note 1. Printed in Mr Brooke’s collection, referred to earlier. It would seem to be founded upon Herbert’s poem called “Decay.” [back]