A New Year’s Plea, by Edgar Guest

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight,

Let me bear what I must without whining;

Grant me the wisdom to do what is right,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade,

Make me bigger than skillful or clever;

Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid,

And harken to false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,

Faithful when wounded by sorrow;

Teach me, when troubled, with patience to wait

The better and brighter to-morrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,

Open my eyes to life’s beauty;

Let not the glitter of fortune or fame

Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,

Let me stand to my task without whining;

Let me be right as a man, as a friend,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

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