Purification

O God, the Eternal All, help me to know that
   all things are shadows, but thou are substance,
   all things are quicksands, but thou art mountain,
   all thing are shifting, but thou are anchor,
   all things are ignorance, but thou are wisdom.
If my life is to be a crucible amid the burning heat,
   so be it,
   but do thou sit at the furnace mouth
      to watch the ore that nothing be lost.
If I sin wilfully, grievously, tormentedly,
   in grace take away my mourning
      and give me music;
   remove my sackcloth
      and clothe me in beauty;
   still my sighs
      and fill my mouth with song,
   then give me summer weather as a Christian.