Give Me Not My Own Desire

Give me not my own desire!

Would I glittering hoards require?

Have I sighed for fame or power?

Seek I learning’s mighty dower?

In my inmost wish and thought

Into earth’s thin tissue wrought?

Heavenly Father! Make me see

All below is vanity.

 

Hath my wish a humbler name?

Would I, all unknown to fame,

By no sordid passion moved—

Of a chosen few beloved—

On some lone and soothing tide,

Down life’s stream serenely glide?

Father, on a staff of dust

Leave me not to place my trust.

 

Haply thou wilt take away

All that cheers my early day,

And will bid me strive and toil

Bound with care’s enfeebling coil.

O, then let me not repine!

May my will be lost in thine!

Still the earnest prayer inspire—

Give me not my own desire!

 

Should I in some weary hou

Yield me to the tempter’s power,

And, o’erwhelmed by doubt and sin,

Seek no more thy smile to win—

Ask in earthly bliss a share—

Turn thou from my impious prayer;

Hear me not in vengeful ire,

Give me not my own desire!

 

Ruler of the worlds on high!

In thy guardian hand am I;

Upon me thy light hath shone;

Thou my destiny hast known.

Trusting, joyful, would I still

All thy holy plans fulfill,

Nor to loftier bliss aspire;

Give me not my own desire!