BOOK III

NIGHT

O Holiest Truth! how have I lied to thee! I vow’d this day thy sacrifice to be; But I am dim ere night. Surely I made my prayer, and I did deem That I could keep in me thy morning beam, Immaculate and bright. But my foot slipp’d; and, as I lay, he came, My gloomy foe, and robb’d me of heaven’s flame. Help thou my darkness, Lord, till I am light. —JOHN HENRY NEWMAN.