"My lips are stiff at prayer to such as Thou. But what need of my
tongue's abashed interpretation of that which I would say, since even
the future's history is open unto Thee?
"I have run my course without craving Thine aid, and lo! here have I
ended--a voice appealing through the night--no more.
"Now, wilt Thou heed an alien's plea; wilt Thou know a stranger
petitioning before Thy high and holy place? How shall I win Thine ear?
Charge me with any mission, weight me with a lifetime of penances,
strip me of power everlastingly, but grant me leave to supplicate Thy
throne.
"Not for myself do I pray, O Hidden God! Not one jot would I overtax
Thy bounty toward me beyond the sufferance of my devotion. But for her
I pray--for her, out somewhere in this unlifting gloom, her tender
maidenhood uncomforted--with night, with death, with long dishonor
threatening her. Attend her, O Thou august Warden! Let her not cry
out to Thee in vain! Be Thou as a wall about her, as a light before
her, as a firm path beneath her feet. Do Thou as Thou wilt with me.
Lo! I offer up myself as ransom for her--myself--all I have! Take her
from me, deny mine eyes the sight of her for ever, blot me wholly out
of her heart, yield me over to the wrath of mine enemies, and to Thine
unknowable vengeance thereafter; but save her, Great God! save her from
her enemy!
"Dost Thou hear me, O Holy Mystery? Is there no sign, no manifestation
that Thou dost attend?
"Nay, but I know that Thou hearest me! By my faith in Thy being I know
it, Lord!"
Peace fell on him and he slept.
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