And he the foremost one;
My own, then too, His dear right hand,
And His Beloved Son.
My hopes and fears, my joys and cares
All hang on Him, who,
In nature as in heart, combines
Son, brother, husband too.
No other can such love possess
Or tender pity show,
As He who felt His Father's ire
And our frail nature, too.
How doth He look on children laid
Like jewels at His feet?
In them the Father well may trace
His glorious image sweet.
Oh, then, for all my little brood
I do beseech of Thee,
That Thou wouldst sanctify their souls
And to Thy heaven bring me.