Student Taper - James Stephens

When
- At end of moon,
At end of day -
My lamp is lit,
Grant me a boon,
I pray,
And do
So order it

- That the small creatures,
Terrified and blind;
The gold and silvern moths
Of lovely kind,
Do not whirl to my taper,
Nor, therein,
Die, painfully,
And bring my light
To sin.

My light
Is innocent!
Grant
- That it may be
Harmless,
And helpful,
And remarked
Of thee.

---

James Stephens (1882 - 1950) England