| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Last Prayer | | By Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894) |
| | | BEFORE the beginning Thou hast foreknown the end, | |
| Before the birthday the death-bed was seen of Thee: | |
| Cleanse what I cannot cleanse, mend what I cannot mend, | |
| O Lord All-Merciful, be merciful to me. | |
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| While the end is drawing near I know not mine end; | 5 |
| Birth I recall not, my death I cannot foresee: | |
| O God, arise to defend, arise to befriend, | |
| O Lord All-Merciful, be merciful to me. | | | | |
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