Religion

Whitsunday

by Reginald Heber 1783–1826

From The Poetical Works of Reginald Heber (Lansdowne Poets)

Religion

Spirit of Truth! on this Thy day
To Thee for help we cry,
To guide us through the dreary way
Of dark mortality.

We ask not, Lord, Thy cloven flame.
Or tongues of various tone;
But long Thy praises to proclaim
With fervour in our own.

We mourn not that prophetic skill
Is found on earth no more;
Enough for us to trace Thy will
In Scripture's sacred lore.

We neither have nor seek the power
Ill demons to control;
But Thou, in dark temptation's hour,
Shalt chase them from the soul.

No heavenly harpings soothe our ear,
No mystic dreams we share;
Yet hope to feel Thy comfort near,
And bless Thee in our prayer.

When tongues shall cease and power decay,
And knowledge empty prove,
Do Thou Thy trembling servants stay
With Faith, with Hope, with Love!

MLA

Heber, Reginald. “Whitsunday.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/heber/32/.

Chicago

Heber, Reginald. “Whitsunday.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/heber/32/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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