Temper my spirit, oh Lord,
Burn out its alloy,
And make it a pliant steel for thy wielding,
Not a clumsy toy,
A blunt, iron thing in my hands
That blunder and destroy.

Temper my spirit, oh Lord,
Keep it long in the fire;
Make it one with the flame. Let it share
That up-reaching desire.

Grasp it thyself, oh my God;
Swing it straighter and higher!