CHARMS AGAINST SORROW
| A charm whereunto
grief must yield— The Charm of Michael with the Shield. Charms before which all sorrows fail— The Palm-branch of Christ and Brigit's Veil. The charm Christ set for Himself, when the Godhead within Him darkened; And when He cried from the Cross that His Father no longer hearkened. When you are bound down by the Cross and night is blackest before you, A charm that shall lift off sorrow's weight and to joyful hope restore you. A charm to be said at sunrise when your hands your heart are crushing, When the eyes are red with weeping and the madness of grief outrushing. A charm with not even a whisper to spare, But only the silent prayer. |
ON COVERING THE FIRE FOR THE NIGHT
| Let us preserve
this seed of fire as Christ preserves us all, Himself a-watch above the house, Bride at its middle wall, Below the Twelve Apostles of highest heavenly sway, Guarding and defending it until the dawn of day. |