Now that we have passed the equinox, let me pray about death. May I be alive when I die. And in the words of an old Irish prayer:
Three wishes I ask of the King when I part from my body: May I have nothing to confess, may I have no enemy, may I own nothing! Three things I ask this day of the King, ruler of suns: May I have no dignity or honours that may lead me into torment! May I not work without reward before Christ! May God take my soul when it is most pure!
Finally, Kipling's prayer before battle:
O Mary, pierced with sorrow,
Remember, reach and save
The soul that goes tomorrow
Before the God that gave.
As each was born of woman,
For each, in utter need,
True comrade and brave foeman,
Madonna, intercede.
Three wishes I ask of the King when I part from my body: May I have nothing to confess, may I have no enemy, may I own nothing! Three things I ask this day of the King, ruler of suns: May I have no dignity or honours that may lead me into torment! May I not work without reward before Christ! May God take my soul when it is most pure!
Finally, Kipling's prayer before battle:
O Mary, pierced with sorrow,
Remember, reach and save
The soul that goes tomorrow
Before the God that gave.
As each was born of woman,
For each, in utter need,
True comrade and brave foeman,
Madonna, intercede.