A Prayer

In thee my God and Lord I trust, And humbly wait thy will; O! teach me to be wise and just, And keep me from all ill!

Save me from pride and self-conceit, From false-hood, fraud and guile, From envy, malice, and deceit, From superstition vile.

Teach my soul the steady path Of virtue to pursue, To shun each crime which moves thy wrath, Each mean and selfish view.

Let gentle pity fill my breast With charity divine, To aid the needy and distress'd, And make their mis'ry mine;

Let pure devotion warm my heart With gratitude and love; For thou each blessing dost impart, And canst each passion move.

To vanity, the vice of fools, Should my weak heart incline; To sacred virtue's purest rules, Oh! add thy grace divine.