English poem
GRACE before MEAT
by John Wesley (1703–1791)
Fountain of Being, Source of Good! At whose Almighty Breath The Creature proves our Bane or Food, Dispensing Life or Death:
Thee we address with humble Fear, Vouchsafe thy Gifts to crown; Father of All, thy Children hear, And send a Blessing down.
O may our Souls for ever pine Thy Grace to taste and see; Athirst for Righteousness Divine, And hungry after Thee!
For this we lift our longing Eyes, We wait the gracious Word; Speak—and our Hearts from Earth shall rise, And feed upon the Lord.