Religion

The Perfect Sacrifice

by William Cowper 1731–1800

Translated by William Cowper · From Translations

Religion

I place an offring at thy shrine,
From taint and blemish clear,
Simple and pure in its design,
Of all that I hold dear.

I yield thee back thy gifts again,
Thy gifts which most I prize;
Desirous only to retain
The notice of thine eyes.

But if, by thine ador'd decree,
That blessing be denied,
Resign'd, and unreluctant, see
My ev'ry wish subside.

Thy will in all things I approve;
Exalted or cast down!
Thy will in ev'ry state I love,
And even in thy frown.

✦ ✦ ✦

From the French of Madame Guion.

MLA

Cowper, William. “The Perfect Sacrifice.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/309/.

Chicago

Cowper, William. “The Perfect Sacrifice.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/309/.

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