Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Sir William Davenant. 16061668303. Praise and Prayer
PRAISE is devotion fit for mighty minds, | |
The diff’ring world’s agreeing sacrifice; | |
Where Heaven divided faiths united finds: | |
But Prayer in various discord upward flies. | |
For Prayer the ocean is where diversely | 5 |
Men steer their course, each to a sev’ral coast; | |
Where all our interests so discordant be | |
That half beg winds by which the rest are lost. | |
By Penitence when we ourselves forsake, | |
‘Tis but in wise design on piteous Heaven; | 10 |
In Praise we nobly give what God may take, | |
And are, without a beggar’s blush, forgiven. |