Page:Writings of Saint Patrick, Apostle of Ireland.djvu/124

Rh In hope a heavenly crown to win, I bind as armour on my breast The obedience and the love wherein Angels and seraphs are possessed, With faithful prayer and worthy deed Of all the saints in history's roll, Who kept unstained their holy creed And virgin purity of soul.

As armour on my breast I bind The powers of God in heaven and earth; The fleetness of the rushing wind, The brightness of the morning's birth; The splendour of the fiery glow, The whiteness of the winter snow, The lightning's wildly flashing mirth; The strength that girds the rocky steep, The vastness of the unfathomed deep.

I bind as armour on my breast The Wisdom which shall be my guide; The Shield whose shelter bids me rest In peace, whatever ills betide; The Eye of God, to search my thought; His Ear, my prayer of faith to hear; His Word, to make my words be fraught With courage which His foes shall fear; His angel host, to guard my path Against all human guile and wrath, Against the tempter's lures to sin. Against the lusts that strive within.

All these upon my breast I bind Against my foes in earth and hell; Against the sorcerer's chanted spell, And sway of idols o'er the mind;