thy very face and form, dear mother, speak to us
of the Eternal; not like earthly beauty, dangerous
to look upon, but like the morning star which is
thy emblem, bright and musical, breathing purity,
telling of heaven and infusing peace. O harbringer
of day! O light of the pilgrim! Lead us still as
thou hast led. In the dark night, across the bleak
wilderness guide us on to our Lord Jesus, guide us
home.
His eyes were dimmed with tears and, looking humbly up to heaven, he wept for the innocence he had lost.