Plead For Me

OH, thy bright eyes must answer now,  When Reason, with a scornful brow,  Is mocking at my overthrow !  Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for me  And tell why I have chosen thee !  Stern Reason is to judgment come,  Arrayed in all her forms of gloom :  Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb ?  No, radiant angel, speak and say Why I did cast the world away,— Why I have persevered to shun The common paths that others run ;

And on a strange road journeyed on,

Heedless, alike of wealth and power — Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower.

These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine ;

And they, perchance, heard vows of mine,

And saw my offerings on their shrine ;

But careless gifts are seldom prized,

And mine were worthily despised.

So, with a ready heart,

I swore To seek their altar-stone no more ;

And gave my spirit to adore Thee, ever-present, phantom thing— My slave, my comrade, and my king.

A slave, because I rule thee still ;

Incline thee to my changeful will,

And make thy influence good or ill :

A comrade, for by day and night Thou art my intimate delight,— My darling pain that wounds and sears,

And wrings a blessing out from tears By deadening me to earthly cares ;

And yet, a king, though Prudence well Have taught thy subject to rebel.

And am I wrong to worship where Faith cannot doubt, nor hope despair,

Since my own soul can grant my prayer ?

Speak,

God of visions, plead for me,

And tell why I have chosen thee !