Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 1.djvu/267

Rh 11.

Thou, who canst guide the wandering star,

Through trackless realms of æther's space;

Who calm'st the elemental war,

Whose hand from pole to pole I trace:

12.

Thou, who in wisdom plac'd me here,

Who, when thou wilt, canst take me hence,

Ah! whilst I tread this earthly sphere,

Extend to me thy wide defence.

13.

To Thee, my God, to thee I call!

Whatever weal or woe betide,

By thy command I rise or fall,

In thy protection I confide.

14.

If, when this dust to dust's restor'd,

My soul shall float on airy wing,

How shall thy glorious Name ador'd

Inspire her feeble voice to sing!

15.

But, if this fleeting spirit share

With clay the Grave's eternal bed,

While Life yet throbs I raise my prayer,

Though doom'd no more to quit the dead.