Invocation

Poem by Alphonse De Lamartine Collection Poetic MeditationsPeriod 19th century

O you who appeared to me in this desert of the world,
Dweller of heaven, passing through these places!
O you who made shine in this deep night
A ray of love before my eyes;

To my astonished eyes show yourself entirely,
Tell me what is your name, your country, your destiny.
Was your cradle on the earth?
Or are you but a divine breath?

Will you see again tomorrow the eternal light?
Or in this place of exile, of mourning, and of misery,
Must you still pursue your painful path?
Ah! whatever your name, your destiny, your homeland,
Whether daughter of the earth, or of the divine dwelling,
Ah! let me, all my life,
Offer you my worship or my love.

If you must, like us, complete your course,
Be my support, my guide, and suffer that in all places,
Of your adored steps I kiss the dust.
But if you take your flight, and if, far from our eyes,
Sister of the angels, soon you rise near them,
After having loved me a few days on the earth,
Remember me in the heavens.

Alphonse de Lamartine

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