A CHILD'S PRAYER
STRETCHED on the bed of suffering I lay,
As weak and helpless as a new-born child;
Strength from my limbs seemed ebbing fast away,
I felt it leave me, still I only smiled.
As weak and helpless as a new-born child;
Strength from my limbs seemed ebbing fast away,
I felt it leave me, still I only smiled.
So changed was I! Once had come upon me,
Great tremblings when on Death a thought I gave,
Now longed for him to set my spirit free,
To join my Mother in the silent grave.
Great tremblings when on Death a thought I gave,
Now longed for him to set my spirit free,
To join my Mother in the silent grave.
No single pang of sorrow did I feel
At leaving those I fondly loved behind;
I felt a numbness o'er my senses steal,
And cherished hopes I willingly resigned.
At leaving those I fondly loved behind;
I felt a numbness o'er my senses steal,
And cherished hopes I willingly resigned.
Then at that moment Memory arose,
With clearest light presented my past life,
Each sinful thought and act before me rose,
And pricked my Conscience sharper than a knife.
With clearest light presented my past life,
Each sinful thought and act before me rose,
And pricked my Conscience sharper than a knife.
I saw with shame how talents God had giv'n
To be improved were wasted, misapplied;
'Gainst temptation little had I striven,
But yielded passively, and only sighed.
To be improved were wasted, misapplied;
'Gainst temptation little had I striven,
But yielded passively, and only sighed.
