Classic Poem

From the contamination
Of laudation,
From weak alliances, base compliances,
From Condescensions and attentions
And would-be grace that is grimace,
And Complaisance that brings Conceit
And from the baffling and defeat
Of a soul that strives in vain
By a self worship to maintain
Its ebbing Purity,
And from that wealth that is not health
But insecurity
And from self will that is not sanity
And from the thousandfold inanity
Of worldly kindliness that turns to vanity,
From worldly help bequeathing imbecility
And praise corrupting incorruptibility,
From worldly joys that weaken, waste and wither us
O Thou! deliver us —