<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">A Woman Commends Her Little Son</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line"><span class="smallcaps">To</span> the aid of my little son</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">I call all the magnalities --</p><p class="line">Archangel, Dominion,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Powers and Principalities.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Mary without a stain,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Joseph that was her spouse,</p><p class="line">All God's women and men,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Out of His glorious House.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">The Twelve Apostles by him:</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Matthew and Mark and John,</p><p class="line">Luke, the Evangelists nigh him,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">So he fight not alone.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Patrick, Columcille, Bride --</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The Saints of the Irish nation;</p><p class="line">Keiran, Kevin beside,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In the death and the desolation.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">Listen, ye soldier saints,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Sebastian, Ignatius, Joan,</p><p class="line">Be by his side; if he faints,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Strengthen my little son.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">In the Side of Christ I lay him,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">In the Wound that the spear made;</p><p class="line">In the pierced Hands I stay him,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">So I am not afraid.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">On the knees of the Blessed Mary</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And in the fold of her arm,</p><p class="line">Refuge and sanctuary</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Where he shall take no harm.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">To the Wound in the Heart of Christ,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">To the Trinity Three in One,</p><p class="line">To the Blood spilled out, unpriced,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">For love of my little son.</p></div></body></html> · Great War