Got to love the Victorians. This is from Bartleby, and Arthur Quiller Couch’s collection of Victorian Verse. And it is a paraphrase of scripture, then a sermon, in 15 lines.
Again, from the other blog. This is Hong Kong.
THEREFORE, when thou wouldst pray, or dost thine alms,
Blow not a trump before thee. Hypocrites
Do thus vaingloriously: the common streets
Boast of their largess, echoing their psalms.
On such the laud of men like unctuous balms
Falls with sweet savour. Impious Counterfeits!
Prating of Heaven, for earth their bosom beats:
Grasping at weeds they lose immortal palms.God needs not iteration nor vain cries;
That Man communion with his God might share
Below, Christ gave the ordinance of prayer.
Vague ambages and witless ecstasies
Avail not. Ere a voice to prayer be given
The heart should rise on wings of love to Heaven.Sir Aubrey de Vere