Religion

Imitated from the Persian

by Robert Southey 1774–1843

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.

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/.

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