136. Prayer—O Thou Dread Power
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THOU dread Power, who reign’st above, I know thou wilt me hear,When for this scene of peace and love, I make this prayer sincere. The hoary Sire—the mortal stroke, Long, long be pleas’d to spare;To bless this little filial flock, And show what good men are. She, who her lovely offspring eyes With tender hopes and fears,O bless her with a mother’s joys, But spare a mother’s tears! Their hope, their stay, their darling youth. In manhood’s dawning blush,Bless him, Thou God of love and truth, Up to a parent’s wish. The beauteous, seraph sister-band— With earnest tears I pray—Thou know’st the snares on ev’ry hand, Guide Thou their steps alway. When, soon or late, they reach that coast, O’er Life’s rough ocean driven,May they rejoice, no wand’rer lost, A family in Heaven!
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