The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley 27Grace Before Meat
Open in the readerFountain of Being, Source of Good!
At whose almighty breath
The creature proves our bane or food,
Dispensing life or death:
Thee we address with humble fear;
Vouchsafe Thy gifts to crown;
Father of All, Thy children hear,
And send a blessing down.
O, may our souls for ever pine
Thy grace to taste and see;
Athirst for righteousness Divine,
And hungry after Thee!
For this we lift our longing eyes,
We wait the gracious word:
Speak, and our hearts from earth shall rise,
And feed upon the Lord.