Poem: His Litany to the Holy Spirit

Sweet Spirit, Comfort Me!

His Litany to the Holy Spirit is by the English poet and Anglican Vicar, Robert Herrick (1591-1674). It was first published in his collection: Noble Numbers (1647), and is included in the Poems for All Seasons Appendix of the Divine Office (1974).


Choral setting by David Solomons

LITANY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT by Robert Herrick, 1647 (Public Domain)

In the hour of my distress,
When temptations me oppress,
And when I my sins confess,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When I lie within my bed,
Sick in heart and sick in head,
And with doubts discomforted,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the house doth sigh and weep,
And the world is drown'd in sleep,
Yet mine eyes the watch do keep,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the passing bell doth toll,
And the Furies in a shoal
Come to fright a parting soul,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the tapers now burn blue,
And the comforters are few,
And that number more than true,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the priest his last hath pray'd,
And I nod to what is said,
'Cause my speech is now decay'd,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When, God knows, I'm toss'd about
Either with despair or doubt;
Yet before the glass be out,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the tempter me pursu'th
With the sins of all my youth,
And half damns me with untruth,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the flames and hellish cries
Fright mine ears and fright mine eyes,
And all terrors me surprise,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!

When the Judgment is reveal'd,
And that open'd which was seal'd,
When to Thee I have appeal'd,
       Sweet Spirit, comfort me!