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 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 toss'd 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/litany-to-the-holy-spirit/
