Robert Burns

Lying at a Reverend Friend’s House One Night

THE AUTHOR LEFT THE FOLLOWING VERSES 
IN THE ROOM WHERE HE SLEPT.

O THOU dread Pow’r, who reign’st above,
  I know Thou wilt me hear
When for this scene of peace and love,
  I make my pray’r sincere.

The hoary sire-the mortal stroke,
  Long, long be pleas’d to spare;
To bless his little filial flock,
  And show what good men are.

She, who her lovely offspring eyes
  With tender hopes and fears,
O bless her with a mother’s joys,
  But spare a mother’s tears!

Their hope, their stay, their darling youth,
  In manhood’s dawning blush-
Bless him, thou God of love and truth,
  Up to a parent’s wish.

The beauteous, seraph sister-band,
  With earnest tears I pray,
Thou know’st the snares on ev’ry hand,
  Guide Thou their steps alway.

When soon or late they reach that coast,
  O’er life’s rough ocean driven,
May they rejoice, no wand’rer lost,
  A family in Heaven!