Plead for Me

Oh, thy bright eyes must answer now,When Reason, with a scornful brow,Is mocking at my overthrow!Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for meAnd tell why I have chosen thee!

Stern Reason is to judgement come,Arrayed in all her forms of gloom:Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb?No, radiant angel, speak and say,Why I did cast the world away.

Why I have persevered to shunThe common paths that others run;And on a strange road journeyed on,Heedless, alike of wealth and power—Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower.

These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine;And they, perchance, heard vows of mine,And saw my offerings on their shrine;But careless gifts are seldom prized,And mine were worthily despised.So, with a ready heart, I sworeTo seek their altar-stone no more;And gave my spirit to adoreThee, ever-present, phantom thing—My slave, my comrade, and my king.

A slave, because I rule thee still;Incline thee to my changeful will,And make thy influence good or ill:A comrade, for by day and nightThou art my intimate delight,—

My darling pain that wounds and sears,And wrings a blessing out from tearsBy deadening me to earthly cares;And yet, a king, though Prudence wellHave taught thy subject to rebel.

And am I wrong to worship whereFaith cannot doubt, nor hope despair,Since my own soul can grant my prayer?Speak, God of visions, plead for me,And tell why I have chosen thee!