Hora Novissima
Whene’er goes forth Thy dread command,
And my last hour is nigh,
Lord, grant me in a Christian land,
As I was born, to die.
I pray not, Lord, that friends may be,
Or kindred, standing by—
Choice blessing! which I leave to Thee
To grant me or deny.
But let my failing limbs beneath
My Mother’s smile recline;
And prayers sustain my labouring breath
From out her sacred shrine.
And let the Cross beside my bed
In its dread Presence rest:
And let the absolving words be said,
To ease a laden breast.
Thou, Lord, where’er we lie, canst aid;
But He, who taught His own
To live as one, will not upbraid
The dread to die alone.
At Sea. June 22, 1833.