Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee —

And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!

Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me,

To-day, dear Lord, to-day.

But if I dare take thought of what the morrow brings —

That fills my fickle heart with dreary, dull dismay;

I crave, indeed, my God, trials and sufferings,

But only for to-day!

O sweetest Star of heaven! O Virgin, spotless, blest,

Shining with Jesus’ light, guiding to Him my way!

O Mother! ‘neath thy veil let my tired spirit rest,

For this brief passing day!

Soon shall I fly afar among the holy choirs,

Then shall be mine the joy that never knows decay;

And then my lips shall sing, to heaven’s angelic lyres,

The eternal, glad To-day!