LADY OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR By Mary Herbert.
Mother I after weary waiting
Through a Rosary of years,
Thou hast heard my Life's petition—
Thou hast banished all my fears;
Though, alas too oft forgetful
Of thy gentle, loving care,
Thou hast not disdained to hearken
To my oft-repeated prayer.
Oft while with a dreary sameness
Duty moulds each passing day,
Midst its claims too oft neglectful
We, thy children, fail to pray;
Yet amid the tapers gleaming
Brightly at thy favoured Shrine,
Wait thy suppliants' petitions
From dim dawn till day's decline.
Thus 'twill be until Life's vesper
Comes, its closing to proclaim,
When earth's joys and sorrows vanish,
And we feebly call thy name;
Like the taper dimly burning
While our thoughts were far away,
Comes the star of Hope to whisper
Thou, O Queen, wilt be our stay.
Be then our unfailing succour
While we cross life's harbour-bar,
Keep, Oh Mary for thy children,
Heaven's portals wide ajar,
Show thy Son thy mark upon us
When Death's passover is nigh,
Ward off the destroying Angel,
And receive our latest sigh.
