Henry O'Meara Ballads of America

Fortunati ambo si quid mea
carmina possunt. ÆNEID
Decoration

LET NOT THY FACE AVERTED BE

LET not Thy face averted be,
   Though ours for sin have swerved from Thee-
    Thy love, 0 Lord, unprized -
Nor turn with eyes upbraiding more,
But glance forgiving as before
   On hearts now agonized!
 
O beam benignant once again
On fleeting lives and wills of men
   In Passion's ruffling view -
Where murky waves in currents fierce
Repel faint lights that strive to pierce,
   May Thine come changeless through!
 
O face illumed of Olivet, shine -
Full in the radiance Divine
   Thy light transmuting pour -
That on dimmed souls Thy rays may rest,
As on Veronica's Veil impressed,
   Avert Thee nevermore!
 
Decoration
THE HIGHER VISION CONTENTS O ESCA VIATORUM!

 

Edited and formatted by Sheldon Brown

updated Wednesday, April 19, 2000
URL: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/omeara/averted.html
Copyright © 2000 Sheldon Brown