Explore "A Prayer" by James Joyce on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Again!
Come, give, yield all your strength to me!
From far a low word breathes on the breaking brain / Its cruel calm, submission's misery, / Gentling her awe as to a soul predestined.
Cease, silent love! My doom!
Blind me with your dark nearness, O have mercy, beloved enemy of my will!
I dare not withstand the cold touch that I dread.
Draw from me still / My slow life! Bend deeper on me, threatening / head, / Proud by my downfall, remembering, pitying / Him who is, him who was!
Again!
Together, folded by the night, they lay on earth. I hear / From far her low word breathe on my breaking / brain.
Come! I yield. Bend deeper upon me! I am here.
Subduer, do not leave me! Only joy, only anguish, / Take me, save me, soothe me, O spare me!
Paris, 1924.