The Lord'S Prayer

"Audemus dicere 'Pater Noster.'"--CANON OF THE MASS.

There is a bolder way, There is a wilder enterprise than this All-human iteration day by day. Courage, mankind! Restore Him what is His.

Out of His mouth were given These phrases. O replace them whence they came. He, only, knows our inconceivable "Heaven," Our hidden "Father," and the unspoken "Name";

Our "trespasses," our "bread," The "will" inexorable yet implored; The miracle-words that are and are not said, Charged with the unknown purpose of their Lord.

"Forgive," "give," "lead us not"-- Speak them by Him, O man the unaware, Speak by that dear tongue, though thou know not what, Shuddering through the paradox of prayer.

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