University of Virginia Library

LVII.

[Hear, O Thou Friend of human kind]

Hear, O Thou Friend of human kind,
Thou Son of Mary, hear,
And let Thy suffering handmaid find
The answer of our prayer.
Thy Spirit's mix'd with nature's cries
Through Thee to heaven ascend:
O send deliverance from the skies,
A swift deliverance send.
Save her, Thyself of woman born,
Thyself the Son of man,
The curse into a blessing turn,
And sanctify the pain:
Be Thou a present succour found
In time of greatest need,
And while her sorrows most abound,
Her comforts shall exceed.
This keenest sense of deep distress
Which feeble flesh can feel,
O'erpower, and swallow up in peace
And joy unspeakable:
Thy love shall bring her safely through:
Thy love to her be given,
And change the pains of hell into
The ecstasies of heaven.

65

So shall the ransom'd sinner give
To Thee her added days,
So shall the joyful mother live
A monument of Thy praise;
She and her house shall serve the Lord,
Till all from earth remove
In sounds of glory to record
Thine everlasting love.