TEACH me, my God, to bear my cross, As Thine was borne; Teach me to make of every loss A crown of thorn. Give me Thy patience and Thy strength With every breath, Until my lingering days at length Shall welcome death. Dear Jesus, I believe that Thou Didst rise again, Instil the spirit in me now That conquers pain. Give me the grace to cast aside All vain desire, All the fierce throbbing of a pride That flames like fire. Give me the calm that Dante wrought From sensual din; The peace that errant Wolsey sought From stalwart sin. I seek repose upon Thy breast With child-like prayer; Oh let me find the heavenly rest And mercy there! If I have, in rebellious ways, Profaned my life; If I have filled my daring days With worldly strife; If I have shunned the narrow path In crime to fall— Lead me from th' abode of wrath And pardon all! Banished from Thee! where shall I find For my poor soul A safe retreat from storms that blind, Or seas that roll? Come to me, Christ, ere I, forlorn, Sink 'neath the wave, And on this blessèd Easter morn A lost one save! |