I

Hide me, Mother! my Fathers belong'd to the church of old,

I am driven by storm and sin and death to the ancient fold,

I cling to the Catholic Cross once more, to the Faith that saves,

My brain is full of the crash of wrecks, and the roar of waves,

My life itself is a wreck, I have sullied a noble name,

I am flung from the rushing tide of the world as a waif of shame,

I am roused by the wail of a child, and awake to a livid light,

And a ghastlier face than ever has haunted a grave by night,

I would hide from the storm without, I would flee from the storm within,

I would make my life one prayer for a soul that died in his sin,

I was the tempter, Mother, and mine was the deeper fall;

I will sit at your feet, I will hide my face, I will tell you all.