PRAYER.

From the Arabic.

O Thou who dost know what the heart fain would hide; Who ever art ready whate’er may betide; In whom the distressed can hope in their woe; Whose ears with the groans of the wretched are plied— Still bid Thy good gifts from Thy treasury flow; All good is assembled where Thou dost abide; To Thee, save my poverty, nought can I show, And of Thee all my poverty’s wants are supplied; What choice have I save to Thy portal to go? If ’tis shut, to what other my steps can I guide? ’Fore whom as a suppliant low shall I bow, If Thy bounty to me, Thy poor slave, is denied? But oh: though rebellious full often I grow Thy bounty and kindness are not the less wide.