Author of pardon, Jesu Christ,
Extend Thy love to us, and deign
To show Thy mercy upon us,
And cleanse our hearts from every stain.
Most tender and most gracious Lord,
Thou knowest whereof man is made;
Thou knowest whereunto he falls,
If Thou withdraw Thy saving aid.
My every thought to Thee is clear,
My inmost soul unveiled to Thee;-
Disperse and drive away the dreams
Of worldliness and vanity.
We wander exiled here below,
Through this sad vale of sin and strife;
O lead us to the Holy Mount,
The home of everlasting Life.
Thou Who for us becamest poor,
Thou Who for us wast crucified,
Wash out the past in that dear Stream
That floweth from Thy piercèd Side.
Thrice blessed Love that satisfies
Its thirst in Thee, O Fount of Grace:
Thrice blessed eyes that through all time
Shall see Thy Glory face to face.
Thy Glory, Lord, surpasses thought,
And yet Thy Love is infinite;-
That Love to taste, that Glory see,
My heart to Thee has winged her flight.