The uplifted eye and bended knee

Are but vain homage, Lord, to Thee:

In vain our lips Thy praise prolong,

The heart a stranger to the song.

Can rites, and forms, and flaming zeal,

The breaches of Thy precepts heal?

Or fasts and penance reconcile

Thy justice, and obtain Thy smile?

The pure, the humble, contrite mind,

Sincere, and to Thy will resigned,

To Thee a nobler offering yields

Than Sheba’s groves, or Sharon’s fields.

Love God and man,—this great command

Doth on eternal pillars stand;

This did Thine ancient prophets teach,

And this Thy well-beloved preach.