Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, "MANE NOBISCUM, DOMINE", by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

"MANE NOBISCUM, DOMINE", by                    
First Line: "one summer, ere ascension fell, / 't was evensong, and eke sunday"
Last Line: "when we from out this world be brought / mane nobiscum, domine!'"
Subject(s): Religion; Theology


ONE summer, ere Ascension fell,
'T was Evensong, and eke Sunday,
Long in devotion did I dwell,
And earnestly for peace did pray.
A text I heard that pleased me aye,
Written it was in words but three,
And thus it runneth, sooth to say,
"Mane nobiscum, Domine!"

Now what this word doth rightly mean
In English tongue that will I tell,
If we in conscience keep us clean
"Deign Thou, Our Lord, with us to dwell."
The foul Fiend's power do Thou fell
Who died for us upon the Tree,
Whether things fall out ill or well,
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

When Thou from death had'st risen, anon,
In Palmer's guise Thy way wouldst go,
Thou met'st with pilgrims making moan,
But Who Thou wert, they might not know.
Then Cleophas this word also
Spake: "Night is nigh as we may see,
The light of day is waxing low,
Mane nobiscum, Domine!"

Abide with us Our Father dear,
Thy dwelling is in Heaven's Bliss,
Thy Name by us be hallowed here
That we Thy Kingdom may not miss.
In Heaven Thy Will fulfilled is,
And that it so on earth may be
Guide us aright -- to teach us this
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

Our daily bread, our natural food,
Dear Lord, we pray Thee, for us dight,
Our debts, do Thou our God so good,
Forgive us, of Thy mickle Might.
So shall we those, with heart so light,
Forgive, who in our debt may be;
Then, lest we rule us not aright,
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

Dwell with us, lest we suffer loss,
Let no temptation lead astray,
But if we sin, then by Thy Cross
Mercy and pardon would we pray.
With all the meekness that we may
We cry, low kneeling on our knee,
"When men our corpse on bier shall lay
Mane nobiscum, Domine!"

Lord, dwell with us in all our need,
For without Thee we have no might
To raise our hands, or tell our bede,
Nor wit nor wealth may cleanse our sight.
What snare soe'er may hold us tight
Safe are we, an we cry to Thee,
In all our need, by day and night,
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

He dwelleth with thee, have no fear
For evil chance that may befall,
Or for the fiend who lurketh near
To rob us of our bliss withal.
Save we be'neath Thy ruling here
Our flesh is frail, we cannot flee,
Then keep our path from cumbrance clear --
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

Dwell with us, Lord of Love and Peace,
And make Thy home our hearts within,
That we in Charity increase,
And keep us clean from deadly sin.
Grant us Thy Smile, O Lord, to win,
For Mary's sake, that Maiden free --
In every work that we begin,
Mane nobiscum, Domine!

Mane nobiscum, Domine!
Without Thee we were surely naught,
What Joy or Bliss else may there be
For those whom Thou so dear hast bought?
In word and will, in heart and thought,
We here beseech the Trinitie:
"When we from out this world be brought
Mane nobiscum, Domine!"





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