Asperges Me, Poem by Paul Verlaine

Poem by Paul Verlaine Collection Liturgies intimesThemes ReligionPeriod 19th century

I who am but a sprig of hyssop in the hand
Of the Almighty Lord who granted me grace,
Can, if my purpose is pure before His face,
Purify others passing on my way.

I can, if my prayer is of those lightened
By Humility of the weight of a languishing desire,
As a pagan may baptize in urgent case,
Wash my neighbor, whiten him more than snow.

Take pity on me, Lord, according to the effect
Merciful of Your gentleness,
Please bind my heart, heart tried by harsh trials,
Which zeal for Your house uplifted.

Make me prosper in my charitable vows
And for that, following the respected rite,
Glory to the Trinity throughout eternity,
Glory to God in the heavens most unapproachable,

Glory to the Father, author and governor of all,
To the Son, creator and savior, judge and party,
To the Holy Spirit, from Whom the light has come,
By Whom, like lustral water, my blood boils,…

I who am but a sprig of hyssop in the hand.

Paul Verlaine

Translation generated by Poésies 123 with assistance from the deepseek-chat artificial-intelligence model.

Text published on Poésies 123: https://www.poesies123.com/en/poem-asperges-me-paul-verlaine/