In the hour of my distress, <br />When temptations me oppress, <br />And when I my sins confess, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When I lie within my bed, <br />Sick in heart, and sick in head, <br />And with doubts discomforted, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the house doth sigh and weep, <br />And the world is drown'd in sleep, <br />Yet mine eyes the watch do keep, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the artless doctor sees <br />No one hope, but of his fees, <br />And his skill runs on the lees, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When his potion and his pill, <br />Has, or none, or little skill, <br />Meet for nothing but to kill, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the passing-bell doth toll, <br />And the furies in a shoal <br />Come to fright a parting soul, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the tapers now burn blue, <br />And the comforters are few, <br />And that number more than true, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the priest his last hath pray'd, <br />And I nod to what is said, <br />'Cause my speech is now decay'd, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When, God knows, I'm tost about <br />Either with despair, or doubt; <br />Yet, before the glass be out, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the tempter me pursu'th <br />With the sins of all my youth, <br />And half damns me with untruth, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the flames and hellish cries <br />Fright mine ears, and fright mine eyes, <br />And all terrors me surprise, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me! <br /> <br />When the Judgment is reveal'd, <br />And that open'd which was seal'd; <br />When to Thee I have appeal'd, <br />Sweet Spirit, comfort me!<br /><br />Robert Herrick<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/his-litany-to-the-holy-spirit-2/
