Know but of love to play a suppliant’s part?

How shall I pray, whose soul is as a mart,

For thoughts unclean, whose tongue is as a sword

Even for those it loves, to wound and smart?

Behold how little I can help Thee, Lord.

The Temple I would build should be all white,

Each stone the record of a blameless day;

The souls that entered there should walk in light,

Clothed in high chastity and wisely gay.

Lord, here is darkness. Yet this heart unwise,