Chapter X: On Prayer

LET us raise up our hands from our hearts unto God ;For, to-morrow, we can't raise them up from the sod!When the season of autumn arrives, you behold,That a tree remains leafless, because of the cold.It raises its destitute hands to implore,And does not retire without mercy in store.From the door that has never been shut, don't supposeThat he who has stretched forth his hand, hopeless goes.All practise devotion, the poor supplicate ;At the shrine of the Kind-to-the-poor, come and wait!So that like the nude branch we our hands may sustain,For we can't without means any longer remain.Oh, Lord! let Thy liberal glance on us rest !For the sins of Thy slaves have become manifest!Sin comes from the slaves who humility show,In the hope that the Lord will forgiveness bestow.Oh, Kind One! we're reared by Thy daily supplies !To Thy favour and gifts we're accustomed likewise !When a beggar meets favour and kindness of heart,From the heels of the giver he will not depart.Since we in this world are beloved in Thy view,We have hope of the same in Futurity, too.Esteem and disgrace Thou alone canst bestow !From none will Thy dear one humility know.By Thy honour, oh, God ! do not make me defamed !At the baseness of sin, do not make me ashamed!Make not one like myself tyrannize over me!If I am to be punished, by Thee, let it be!No evil is greater on Earth, I am sure,Than harshness from one, like one's self, to endure.It suffices, that I in Thy presence feel shame,Do not cause me to feel before others, the same!If upon me should settle Thy shadow divine,The rank of the sky would be lower than mine.It will raise up my head should Thou grant me a crown ;Support me, that no one may tumble me down !