O Thou dread Power, who reign'st above, <br />I know thou wilt me hear, <br />When for this scene of peace and love <br />I make this prayer sincere. <br /> <br />The hoary Sire - the mortal stroke, <br />Long, long be pleas'd to spare; <br />To bless his little filial flock, <br />And show what good men are. <br /> <br />She, who her lovely offspring eyes <br />With tender hopes and fears, <br />O bless her with a mother's joys, <br />But spare a mother's tears! <br /> <br />Their hope, their stay, their darling youth, <br />In manhood's dawning blush, <br />Bless him, Thou God of love and truth, <br />Up to a parent's wish. <br /> <br />The seauteous, seraph sister-band - <br />With earnest tears I pray - <br />Thou know'st the snares on ev'ry hand, <br />Guide Thou their steps alway. <br /> <br />When, soon or late, they reach that coast, <br />O'er Life's rough ocean driven, <br />May they rejoice, no wand'rer lost, <br />A family in Heaven<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/o-thou-dread-power/
