The Soul's Prayer

The Soul's Prayer

by

Sarojini Naidu

In childhood's pride I said to Thee:

`O Thou, who mad'st me of Thy breath

speak, Master, and reveal to me

Thine inmost laws of life and death.

`Give me to drink each joy and pain

Which Thine eternal hand can mete,

for my insatiate soul would drain

Earth's utmost bitter, utmost sweet.

`Spare me no bliss, no pang of strife,

Withhold no gift or grief I crave,

The intricate lore of love and life

And mystic knowledge of the grave'.

Lord, Thou didst answer stern and low;

`child, I will hearken to thy prayer,

And thy unconquered soul shall know

All passionate rapture and despair.

`Thou shalt drink deep of joy and fame,

And love shall burn thee like a fire,

And pain shall cleanse thee like a flame,

To purge the dross from thy desire.

`So shall thy chastened spirit yearn

To seek from its blind prayer release,

And spent and pardoned, sue to learn

The simple secret of My peace.

`I, bending from my sevenfold height

Will teach thee of My quickening grace,

Life is a prism of My light,

And Death the shadow of My face'.