Ralph Waldo Emerson, comp. (1803–1882). Parnassus: An Anthology of Poetry. 1880.
Litany to the Holy SpiritRobert Herrick (15911674)
I
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
Sick at heart, and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
And the world is drowned in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
No one hope, but of his fees,
And his skill runs on the lees,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
Has or none or little skill,
Meet for nothing, but to kill,—
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
And the Furies, in a shoal,
Come to fright a parting soul,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
And the comforters are few,
And that number more than true,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
And I nod to what is said,
Because my speech is now decayed,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
Either with despair or doubt,
Yet before the glass be out,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors me surprise,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!
And that opened which was sealed;
When to Thee I have appealed,
Sweet Spirit, comfort me!