Poems (Tynan)/A Prayer

by Katharine Tynan

For works with similar titles, see Prayer.

A PRAYER

Now wilt me take for Jesus' sake,
 Nor cast me out at all;
I shall not fear the foe awake,
 Saved by Thy City wall;
But in the night with no affright
 Shall hear him steal without,
Who may not scale Thy wall of might,
 Thy bastion, nor redoubt.

Full well I know that to the foe
 Wilt yield me not for aye,
Unless mine own hand should undo
 The gates that are my stay;
My folly and pride should open wide
 Thy doors and set me free
'Mid tigers striped and panthers pied
 Far from Thy liberty.

Unless by debt myself I set
 Outside Thy loving ken,
And yield myself by weight of debt
 Unto my fellow-men.
Deal with my guilt Thou as Thou wilt,
 And "hold "I shall not cry,
So I be Thine in storm and shine,
 Thine only till I die.