10 JULY 1915, Page 16

POETRY.

THE LAST TWO COLLECTS.

You shall read your portion of Book and Psalter, With the First for the Day appointed there, And the last two Collects shall never alter, . But daily Ire said at Morning Prayer.

Is it all lip-service, and grown habitual,

Since that shall be that Lath ever been P Nay : something shall one day light your ritual,

To show what the last two Collects mean.

You shall pray the Author of Peace to friend you, For all your frailties and all your faults, You shall pray that His strength may still defend you, His humble servants, in all assaults.

Then, safely brought to the day's beginning By the power of the everlasting might, You shall promise yourselves, the weak, the sinning, To do that is righteous in His sight.

And courage may fail, and hearts may falter,

But His protection shall never cease,

Like the last two Collects that never alter—

You shall always pray for Grace and Peace.

ALFRED COCHRANE.