Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sin—(The disciple)

(The Saviour of the World, Vol V Book II Poem XXIII)

Is’t true that I,

In controversy with the Son of Man,
Lift up my voice, outreach my puny span,

And hold me high,

As one who had right

To question with Very God, and make demand,—
I, insignificant, held in His hand,—

To mock His might!

To lightly hold

The very words He spake as of small account,
Nor weigh them well nor reckon their amount?

I am too bold!

How dare I go,

Exalting my poor wisdom over His,
Preferring mine own way, refusing His!—

My salt tears flow

For mine offence!

“My Spirit shall not always strive with man,”—
And Thou hast wrought with me since I began!

O, go not hence!

Psalm xix, 13