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 me     And tell why I have chosen thee!     Stern Reason is to judgment 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 shun     The 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 swore     To seek their altar-stone no more;     And gave my spirit to adore     Thee, 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 night     Thou art my intimate delight,     My darling pain that wounds and sears,     And wrings a blessing out from tears     By deadening me to earthly cares;     And yet, a king, though Prudence well     Have taught thy subject to rebel     And am I wrong to worship where     Faith 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!