TO MY PATRONS
By Lionel Johnson
Thy spear rent Christ, when dead for me He lay:
My sin rends Christ, though never one save He
Perfectly loves me, comforts me. Then pray,
Longinus Saint! the Crucified, for me.
Hard is the holy war, and hard the way:
At rest with ancient victors would I be.
O faith’s first glory from our England! pray,
St. Alban! to the Lord of Hosts, for me.
Fain would I watch with thee, till morning gray,
Beneath the stars austere: so might I see
Sunrise, and light, and joy, at last. Then pray,
John Baptist Saint! unto the Christ, for me.
Remembering God’s coronation day;
Thorns for His crown; His throne, a Cross: to thee
Heaven’s kingdom dearer was than earth’s. Then pray
Saint Louis! to the King of kings, for me.
Thy love loved all things: thy love knew no stay,
But drew the very wild beasts round thy knee.
O lover of the least and lowest! pray,
Saint Francis! to the Son of Man, for me.
Bishop of souls in servitude astray,
Who didst for holy service set them free:
Use still thy discipline of love, and pray.
Saint Charles! unto the world’s High Priest, for me.