Lord, can a crumb of dust the earth outweigh, <br />Outmatch all mountains, nay the crystal sky? <br />Imbosom in't designs that shall display <br />And trace into the boundless deity? <br />Yea, hand a pen whose moisture doth gild o'er <br />Eternal glory with a glorious glore. <br /> <br />If it is pen had of an angel's quill, <br />And sharpened on a precious stone ground tight, <br />And dipped in liquid gold, and moved by skill <br />In crystal leaves should golden letters write, <br />It would but blot and blur, yea, jag and jar, <br />Unless Thou mak'st the pen and scribener. <br /> <br />I am this crumb of dust which is designed <br />To make my pen unto Thy praise alone, <br />And my dull fancy I would gladly grind <br />Unto an edge on Zion's precious stone; <br />And write in liquid gold upon Thy name <br />My letters till Thy glory forth doth flame. <br /> <br />Let not th' attempts break down my dust I pray, <br />Nor laugh Thou them to scorn, but pardon give. <br />Inspire this crumb of dust till it display <br />Thy glory through't: and then Thy dust shall live. <br />Its failings then Thou'lt overlook, I trust, <br />They being slips slipped from Thy crumb of dust. <br /> <br />Thy crumb of dust breathes two words from its breast, <br />That Thou wilt guide its pen to write aright <br />To prove Thou art and that Thou art the best <br />And shew Thy prosperties to shine most bright. <br />And then Thy works will shine as flowers on stems <br />Or as in jewelary shops do gems.<br /><br />Edward Taylor<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/prologue-from-preparatory-meditations-before-my-approach-to-the-lord-s-supper/
