The Sword of Song

THE SWORD OF SONG 36 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 Prayer51—tests 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 things 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 affair52 About” validity of prayer. But back ! Let once again address Ourselves to super-consciusness ! 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 Marvellous an- swer to prayer. Prayer and averages. Are the results of meditation due to auto- hypnosis ? 550 555 560 565 570 575 580 585 590