Thine own blind helpless, eyeless face,

I too, that have nor tongue nor knee

For prayer, I have a word to thee.

It was for this then, that thy speech

Was blown about the world in flame

And men’s souls shot up out of reach

Of fear or lust or thwarting shame—

That thy faith over souls should pass

As sea-winds burning the grey grass?

It was for this, that prayers like these