George Herbert Clarke, ed. (1873–1953). A Treasury of War Poetry. 1917.
Alfred Noyes
A Prayer in Time of War
T
Whose footsteps are not known,
To-night a world that turned from Thee
Is waiting—at Thy Throne.
Where scoffing sophists brawl,
The little Antichrists we praised—
The night is on them all.
And we, who deemed him wise,
We who believed that Thou wast dead,
How should we seek Thine eyes?
Who scorned Thee yesterday?
How should we kneel, in this dread hour?
Lord, teach us how to pray!
That mocks no sacred thing,
The Sword of Truth our fathers wore
When Thou wast Lord and King.
Our deep unspoken prayer,
For, while our souls in darkness dwell,
We know that Thou art there.