| Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903. | | | | The Invitation | | Anonymous |
| | | LORD, 1 what unvalued pleasures crown’d | |
| The days of old; | |
| When Thou wert so familiar found, | |
| Those days were gold; | |
| |
| When Abram wished, Thou could’st afford | 5 |
| With him to feast; | |
| When Lot but said, “Turn in, my Lord,” | |
| Thou wert his guest. | |
| |
| But ah! this heart of mine doth pant | |
| And beat for Thee; | 10 |
| Yet Thou art strange, and will not grant | |
| Thyself to me! | |
| |
| What, shall thy people be so dear | |
| To Thee no more? | |
| Or is not heaven to earth as near | 15 |
| As heretofore? | |
| |
| The famished raven’s hoarser cry | |
| Finds out Thine ear; | |
| My soul is famished and I die | |
| Unless Thou hear. | 20 |
| | | Note 1. Printed in Mr Brooke’s collection, referred to earlier. It would seem to be founded upon Herbert’s poem called “Decay.” [back] | | |
|
|
|
