Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

John Samuel Bewley Monsell 1811–75

Litany

WHEN my feet have wander’d

From the narrow way

Out into the desert,

Gone like sheep astray;

Soil’d and sore with travel

Through the ways of men,

All too weak to bear me

Back to Thee again:

Hear me, O my Father!

From Thy mercy-seat,

Save me by the passion

Of the bleeding feet!

When my hands, unholy

Through some sinful deed

Wrought in me, have freshly

Made my Saviour’s bleed:

And I cannot lift up

Mine to Thee in prayer,

Tied and bound, and holden

Back by my despair:

Then, my Father! loose them,

Break for me their bands,

Save me by the passion

Of the bleeding hands!

When my thoughts, unruly,

Dare to doubt of Thee,

And thy ways to question

Deem is to be free:

Till, through cloud and darkness,

Wholly gone astray,

They find no returning

To the narrow way:

Then, my God! mine only

Trust and truth art Thou;

Save me by the passion

Of the bleeding brow!

When my heart, forgetful

Of the love that yet,

Though by man forgotten,

Never can forget;

All its best affections

Spent on things below,

In its sad despondings

Knows not where to go:

Then, my God! mine only

Hope and help Thou art;

Save me by the passion

Of the bleeding heart!