Why should I raise a needless prayer to thee,

Or importune Omnipotence to grant

My wishes, dim, short-sighted, ignorant?

And yet I come,—for thou hast bidden and said,

But not to weary thee, or specify

A wish, but rather with this prayer instead:

“O Lord, thou knowest:—give it or deny,

Fill up the cup of joy, or pass me by.”

Just as thou wilt is just what I would will;

Give me but this, the heart to be content,