THE RAMPARTS

        In a niche of the wall a devotional image of the
      Mater Dolorosa with jugs for flowers in front of it.

  Gretchen [is putting fresh flowers in the jugs].
             Oh, bend Thou,
             Mother of Sorrows; send Thou
             A look of pity on my pain.

             Thine heart's blood welling
             With pangs past telling,
             Thou gazest where Thy Son hangs slain.

             Thou, heavenward gazing,
             Art deep sighs raising
             On high for His and for Thy pain.

             Who feeleth
             How reeleth
             This pain in every bone?
             All that makes my poor heart shiver,
             Why it yearneth and doth quiver,
             Thou dost know and Thou alone!

             Wherever I am going,
             How woe, woe, woe is growing,
             Ah, how my bosom aches!
             When lonely watch I'm keeping,
             I'm weeping, weeping, weeping,
             My heart within me breaks.

             The plants before my window
             I wet with tears- ah, me-
             As in the early morning
             I plucked these flowers for Thee.

             Ah, let my room but borrow
             The early sunlight red,
             I sit in all my sorrow
             Already on my bed.

             Help! rescue me from death and stain!
             Oh, bend Thou,
             Mother of Sorrows; send Thou
             A look of pity on my pain!