Miscellaneous Poems — A Prayer

A PRAYER.

God!

do not let my loved one die, But rather wait until the time That I am grown in purity Enough to enter thy pure clime Then take me, I will gladly go, So that my love remain below!

O, let her stay!

She is by birth What I through death must learn to be, We need her more on our poor earth, Than thou canst need in heaven with thee;

She hath her wings already, I Must burst this earth-shell ere I fly.

Then, God, take me!

We shall be near, More near than ever, each to each: Her angel ears will find more clear My heavenly than my earthly speech;

And still, as I draw nigh to thee, Her soul and mine shall closer be.

1841.