My Father bade me come, and said,
“Ask me for what you need. And spread
Before me all your heart. Seek me
For ev’ry true desire, and see
If I will ever fail to love
You perfectly with treasures of
My boundless store, my heart. And keep
On knocking. Though I do not sleep,
I have my reasons for delay,
And I delight to hear you pray.
If you should need an anchor for your boat,
But, lured by hunger, ask for bread,
I’ll mark your need, and lest you seaward float,
Give you a heavy stone instead.
Or if you need to drain a viper’s fang,
A healing antidote to make,
But ask for useless fish to ease the pang,
I will discern, and give the snake.
O precious child, think not, because
I meet your needs with love by laws
Beyond your grasp: It is in vain
For you to pray, as if the gain
Of snake and stone were no reply
To your desire. Dear Child, your cry
Does open treasuries, and shake
The heavens. I bid you come and take
These keys, and all my store unlock,
My heart. To ask, and seek, and knock.”
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