Religion
Imitated from the Persian
From Poetical Works (1845)
Religion
Lord ! who art merciful as well as just,
Incline thine ear to me, a child of dust !
Not what I would, O Lord ! I offer thee,
Alas ! but what I can.
Father Almighty, who hast made me man,
And bade me look to Heaven, for Thou art there,
Accept my sacrifice and humble prayer.
Four things which are not in thy treasury,
I lay before thee, Lord, with this petition : —
My nothingness, my wants,
My sins, and my contrition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Southey, Robert. “Imitated from the Persian.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/southey/132/.
Chicago
Southey, Robert. “Imitated from the Persian.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/southey/132/.
Read this poem with the Codex →