Gerard Manley Hopkins — Thou Art Indeed Just Lord

Thou art indeed just, Lord, if I contend With thee; but, sir, so what I plead is just Why do sinners' ways prosper? and why must Disappointment all I endeavour end? Wert thou my enemy, O thou my friend How wouldst thou worse, I wonder, than thou dost Defeat, thwart me? Oh, the sots and thralls of lust Do in spare hours more thrive than I that spend Sir, life upon thy cause. See, banks and brakes Now, leavèd how thick! lacèd they are again With fretty chervil, look, and fresh wind shakes Them: birds build, but not i build; no, but strain Time's eunuch, and not breed one work that wakes Mine, O thou lord of life, send my roots rain