| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | The Right Use of Prayer | | By Sir Aubrey de Vere (1788–1846) |
| | | THEREFORE, when thou wouldst pray, or dost thine alms, | |
| Blow not a trump before thee. Hypocrites | |
| Do thus vaingloriously: the common streets | |
| Boast of their largess, echoing their psalms. | |
| On such the laud of men like unctuous balms | 5 |
| Falls with sweet savour. Impious Counterfeits! | |
| Prating of Heaven, for earth their bosom beats: | |
| Grasping at weeds they lose immortal palms. | |
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| God needs not iteration nor vain cries; | |
| That Man communion with his God might share | 10 |
| Below, Christ gave the ordinance of prayer. | |
| Vague ambages and witless ecstasies | |
| Avail not. Ere a voice to prayer be given | |
| The heart should rise on wings of love to Heaven. | | | | |
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