AVE MARIA! bright and pure, Hear, O hear me when I pray! Pains and pleasures try the pilgrim On his long and weary way; Fears and perils are around me, Ora pro me. Mary, see my heart is burdened, Take, O take the weight away, Or help me, that I may not murmur If it is a cross you lay On my weak and trembling heart, -- but Ora pro me. Mary, Mary, Queen of Heaven! Teach, O teach me to obey: Lead me on, though fierce temptations Stand and meet me in the way; When I fall and faint, my mother, Ora pro me. Then shall I -- if thou, O Mary, Art my strong support and stay -- Fear nor feel the threefold danger Standing forth in dread array; Now and ever shield and guard me, Ora pro me. When my eyes are slowly closing, And I fade from earth away, And when Death, the stern destroyer, Claims my body as his prey, -- Claim my soul, and then, sweet Mary, Ora pro me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH IN BALLADE FORM by FRANCOIS VILLON SHELTERED GARDEN by HILDA DOOLITTLE THE NAME OF JESUS by JOHN NEWTON DECEMBER 31ST by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE THE MORAL FABLES: THE MOUSE AND THE PADDOCK by AESOP |