July 1916

O God, whose great inscrutable purposes (Seen only of the one all-seeing eye) Are as unchangeable as the azure sky, And as fulfilled of infinite mysteries: Are like a fast-locked castle without keys Whereof the gates are very strong and high, Impenetrable, and we poor fools die Nor even know what thing beyond them is: O God, by whom men's lives are multiplied, Are scattered broadcast in the world like grain, And after long time reaped again and stored, O Thou who only canst be glorified By man's own passion and the supreme pain, Accept this sacrifice of blood outpoured.