Page:Early poems of William Morris.djvu/135

 sings from the tower

My mother taught me prayers

To say when I had need;

I have so many cares,

That I can take no heed

Of many words in them;

But I remember this:

Christ, bring me to thy bliss.

Mary, maid withouten wem,

Keep me! I am lone, I wis,

Yet besides I have made this

By myself: Give me a kiss 

''Dear God, dwelling up in heaven! ''

Also: Send me a true knight, 

Lord Christ, with a steel sword, bright, 

Broad, and trenchant ; yea, and seven 

''Spans from hilt to point, O Lord! ''

And let the handle of his sword 

''Be gold on silver, Lord in heaven! ''

Such a sword as I see gleam 

''Sometimes, when they let me dream. ''

Yea, besides, I have made this:

''Lord, give Mary a dear kiss. ''

And let gold Michael, who looked down, 

When I was there, on Rouen town 

From the spire, bring me that kiss 

''On a lily! Lord, do this! ''

These prayers on the dreadful nights

When the witches plait my hair,

And the fearfullest of sights

On the earth and in the air,