By this to me it open'd wide,
Through death's inviting door,
A brighter world, a nobler realm
Than Adam lest of yore.
O Jesu! on whose grace alone
I by thy grace depend,
Grant me the grace to persevere
In grace unto the end.
36. Mother of Mercy.
Mother of Mercy, day by day
My love of thee grows more and more;
Thy gifts are strown upon my way,
Like sands upon the great sea-shore.
Though poverty and work and woe
The masters of my life may be;
In darkest hours, who does not know
That all is light with love of thee?
Ah, little know they of thy worth
Who would thy love deny to me;
For what did Jesus love on earth
One-half so tenderly as thee?
Oh, gain me grace to love thee more;
Thy Son will give if thou wilt plead:
And, Mother, when life's cares are o'er.
Oh, I shall love thee then indeed.
My Lord, when his three hours were run,
Bequeath'd thee from the cross to me;
And oh, how can I love thy Son,
Sweet Mother, if I love not thee?
