And lift me up to thee from death,

Or bid them make for me a narrow bed, a coffin of boards,

In the dark neighbourhood of the worm and his friends.

My life is not life but death, my voice is no voice but a wind,

There is no colour in me, nor life, nor richness, nor health;

But in tears and sorrow and weakness, without music, without sport, without power,

I go into captivity and woe, and in the pain of my love of thee.'


XI