Analysis of The Bibliomaniac's'S Prayer

Keep me, I pray, in wisdom's way
 That I may truths eternal seek;
I need protecting care to-day,--
 My purse is light, my flesh is weak.
So banish from my erring heart
 All baleful appetites and hints
Of Satan's fascinating art,
 Of first editions, and of prints.
Direct me in some godly walk
 Which leads away from bookish strife,
That I with pious deed and talk
 May extra-illustrate my life.

But if, O Lord, it pleaseth Thee
 To keep me in temptation's way,
I humbly ask that I may be
 Most notably beset to-day;
Let my temptation be a book,
 Which I shall purchase, hold, and keep,
Whereon when other men shall look,
 They'll wail to know I got it cheap.
Oh, let it such a volume be
 As in rare copperplates abounds,
Large paper, clean, and fair to see,
 Uncut, unique, unknown to Lowndes.