CONFITEOR.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 5 September 1907, Page 3

CONFITEOR.

Behold rre at Thy feet again, O Lord ! . - Humbly to kneel—how can I dare to pray, Or thank Thee for this grace Thou dost accord ' I can but wonder that Thou dost not slay. My weight of infamy doth'press me down, The load of guilt that I can bear no more ; Prostrate in bitter shame before Thy frown, I can but murmur low—Confiteor ! Black is the record of the rebel soul That openly contemns Thy law divine, Proclaiming earthly joy its only goal Throughout this life. But blacker still is mine ; For unto me the Tree of Liie was shown, And I have lived amid the .fruits it bore ; The Treasure of Thy temple I have known Thankless, indifferent—Confiteor !' In deepest shame bowed down before Thy Face, The wretch to whom Thy mercy still allows The gift of life and many a greater grace, Recalls the treachery, the broken vows. My presence doth Thy temple but denle— . How shall the traitor knock upon Thy door ? Basely unworthy, vilest of the vile,; Confiteor, O Lord—Confiteor !

—' Aye Maria.'