IMPROVISATIO— TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 



To the throne of yovir riches and grandeur 1 fly, 



In the arms of your mercies I'll rest : 

 O, help me, O, shield me, when going to die, 



And let not my soul be oppressed. 

 "When the winds of adversity sink in my heart, 



When temptations assail me with pain. 

 To thy beautiful throne I will willingly dart. 



And by thee I'll safely remain. 

 When I find myself mix'd with the giddy and gay, 



When around me enchantment there lies, 

 O help me, O thou whom the angels obey, 



From sin and the world to arise. 

 When first in the morning from sleep I awake, 



When the De%Tl's temptation begins. 

 To Jesus, O then, my heart and soul take, 

 And preserve me from failings and sins. 

 When first before God in the morning I kneel, 



My prayer and oblations to say, 

 O then let my heart the more forcibly feel 



WTaat I by my word of mouth pray. 

 When about to receive my God from above, 



In my poor and my unworthy heart. 

 Obtain for me some of the Seraphim's love, 



And some of thy own, O impart. 

 O beg of thy God, when I am to receive 



A conscience from sin undefiled. 

 And vouchsafe from all failings and sins to relieve 



Thy young and thy suppliant child. 

 When the time draws so near, and the angels adore 



My Jesus on our altar laid, 

 O then my dear Mother indeed I implore 



Thy powerful succour and aid. 

 And when I am slighted, and scorned, and disdained, 



When through it I weep and bemoan, 

 Let me then think that Jesus on earth so remained, 



And that Mary was poor and unknown. 

 When I sin by the fashion and rank of my birth. 



When led on by those whom I love. 

 Take my heart, blessed Lady, from this passing earth, 



And place it in heaven above. 

 When forced from my passions to heave a deep sigh, 



O make me then pious and mild ; 

 And look down from the throne of thy grandeur on high, 



On thy thoughtless and volatile child. 

 ^^'hen about to break loose from life's faultering bands, 



When I feel the last chilling of death, 

 O then, Queen of Heaven, into thy sacred hands 

 Receive thou my last parting breath. 



Selena Margaret Rosa Mary Catherine. 

 Jan. 2, 1833. 



