Collected Works (Vol. II)

178 THE SWORD OF SONG Marvellous an- swer to prayer. Prayer and averages, Are the results of meditation due to auto- hypnosis ? So to the laws all bards obey I bend, and seek in my own way By false things to expound the real. But never think I shall appeal To Gods. What folly can compare With such stupidity as prayer? Some years ago I thought to try Prayer ®!—test its efficacity. I fished by a Norwegian lake. ‘ O God,” I prayed, “‘ for Jesus’ sake Grant thy poor servant all his wish ! For every prayer produce a fish !” Nine times the prayer went up the spout, And eight times--what a thumping trout ! (This is the only true fish-story I ever heard—give God the glory !) The thing seems cruel now, of course. Still, it’s a grand case of God’s force ! But, modern Christians, do you dare With common prudence to compare The efficacity of prayer? Who will affirm of Christian sages That prayer can alter averages? The individual case allows Some chance to operate, and thus Destroys its value quite for us. So that is why I knit my brows And think—and find no thing to say Or do, so foolish as to pray. “So much for this absurd affair ” About ” validity of prayer. But back! Let once again address Our minds to super-consciousness ! You weary me with proof enough That all this meditation stuff Is self-hypnosis. Be it so! Do you suppose I did not know? Still, to be accurate, I fear The symptoms are entirely strange. If I were hard, I’d make it clear That criticism must arrange 550 655 560 aN =I Co 580 A85 590