A Prayer

Often the western wind has sung to me,

There have been voices in the streams and meres,

And pitiful trees have told me, God, of Thee :

And I heard not. Oh ! open Thou mine ears.

The reeds have whispered low as I passed by,

" Be strong, O friend, be strong, put off vain fears,

Vex not they soul with doubts, God cannot lie " :

And I heard not. Oh ! open Thou mine ears.

There have been many stars to guide my feet,

Often the delicate moon, hearing my sighs,

Has rent the clouds and shown a silver street;

And I saw not. Oh ! open Thou mine eyes.

Angels have beckoned me unceasingly,

And walked with me ; and from the sombre skies

Dear Christ Himself has stretched out hands to me ;

And I saw not. Oh ! open Thou mine eyes.

Taken from the New Adelphi Library edition of 'Selected Poems' by Lord Arthur Douglas Published by Martin Secker 1926Page 27