Teach, O Trinity!

Teach Thou me, O Trinity!
O Lord, whose speech is sweet,
Teach my tongue, O Trinity!
Bless it with blessing meet.

Holy o'er the heavens free
Make strong my arms and sure,
In my heart abide with me,
Thou Prince of all things pure.

Take my heart and teach my hand,
So may'st Thou, king of truth!
Eye and ear and voice command, —
Bless Thou my lips with ruth.

These my lips which wrought thee wrong
Nor warring words reproved,
This my tongue which lapsed too long —
Bless these, my soul's Beloved!

Thee, O Trinity, from Thee
Ah, Lord, grant healing balm,
Like a fair and fine oak tree
With cankered core I am.

Yet of blood I bear no stain,
No stain of spoil I bear;
Then, for Mary's love, O deign
Give answer to my prayer.

Thou, who gavest prayer its birth,
Is't wrong to pray Thee now?
Not the kings or lords of earth
Can comfort give, but Thou.

None such knowledge sweet hath given
But Thou, O Lord! alone —
Thine is truth, O King of heaven!
No wisdom like thine own.

If I on the right way bide
No less my vow commands,
If I stray, be Thou my guide,
Who am within Thy hands.

Clay nor rock can refuge yield
From fire of doom above,
Thou, Thyself, shalt be my shield
And guard me, with Thy love.