To the Supreme Being
From The Italian Of Michael Angelo
To the Supreme Being - fact Summary
Translation of Michelangelo's Prayer
Wordsworth's 'To The Supreme Being' is his translation of a prayer by Michelangelo. It petitions God for a spirit that makes prayer fruitful, portraying the speaker's heart as barren without divine seed. The poem emphasizes dependence on God to reveal the true way, to inspire virtuous thoughts and free the speaker's tongue to praise him. It reflects Wordsworth's engagement with Italian poetry and enduring spiritual concerns.
Read Complete AnalysesTHE prayers I make will then be sweet indeed If Thou the spirit give by which I pray: My unassisted heart is barren clay, That of its native self can nothing feed: Of good and pious works thou art the seed, That quickens only where thou say'st it may: Unless Thou show to us thine own true way No man can find it: Father! Thou must lead. Do Thou, then, breathe those thoughts into my mind By which such virtue may in me be bred That in thy holy footsteps I may tread; The fetters of my tongue do Thou unbind, That I may have the power to sing of thee, And sound thy praises everlastingly.
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