Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/118

Rh At Tara to-day, May God be my stay! May the strength of God now nerve me! May the power of God preserve me! May God the Almighty be near me! May God the Almighty espy me! May God the Almighty hear me! May God give me eloquent speech! May the arm of God protect me! May the wisdom of God direct me! May God give me power to teach and to preach! May the shield of God defend me! May the host of God attend me, And warn me, And guard me, Against the wiles of demons and devils; Against temptations of vice and evils; Against the bad passions and wrathful will Of the reckless mind and the wicked heart; Against every man that designs me ill, Whether leagued with others, or plotting apart.

In this hour of hours, I place all those powers. Between myself and every foe, Who threatens my body and soul With danger or dole; To protect me against the evils that flow From lying soothsayers' incantations; From the gloomy laws of the Gentile nations; From heresy's hateful innovations; From idolatry's rites and invocations: