Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
II. Prayer and AspirationFrom the recesses of a lowly spirit
Sir John Bowring (17921872)F
Our humble prayer ascends; O Father! hear it.
Upsoaring on the wings of awe and meekness,
Forgive its weakness!
We hear thy voice,—it counsels and it courts us;
And then we turn away; and still thy kindness
Forgives our blindness.
To win with love the wandering: thou invitest,
By smiles of mercy, not by frowns or terrors,
Man from his errors.
The seeds of holiness, and bid them blossom
In fragrance and in beauty bright and vernal,
And spring eternal.