ERE thou thy foot shalt in the stirrup place,
Beseech thy God to bless thee with his grace,
And keep thee safe, 'till thy return again,
Whene'er thou travellest o'er hill or plain.

God's angel seek, thy footsteps to direct,
His wing from ev'ry danger to protect,
Upon thy journey for his blessing sue,
And he will prosper all thou hast to do.

As God an angel with Tobias sent
For his attendant, wheresoe'er he went:
So shall he speedy succour send to all,
Who shall on him, e'en now, for succour call.

From the best Patriarch's servant learn to pray,
And call on God, whilst thou art on thy way,
That he the purpose of the soul may speed:
So shalt thou to thy utmost wish succeed.

But if thou shou'dst not, on thy bended knee,
Entreat the Son of God to speed thee home:
Thou shalt oppression on thy journey see,
And bootless back, without thy errand come.

To those, that must a distant journey take,
Better is pray'r than wine, the thirst to slake,
Better than forts, to ward the light'ning's glance,
Better than ought, to guard against mischance.

Better is pray'r, to save thee from thy foe,
When on a dang'rous journey thou dost go,
Than sword or pistol, or the fleetest horse,
Than num'rous troops, or any human force.

The Deity with ceaseless pray'r adore,
And on thy journey his strong aid implore;
So shall he send his angels to fulfil
Thy heart's best wishes, and preserve thee still.