Mother bowed with grief appalling
must thou watch, with tears slow falling
on the cross Thy dying son!

Through my heart, thus sorrow riven
must that cruel sword be driven
as foretold – O Holy One!

Oh, how mournful and oppressed
was that Mother ever-blessed
Mother of the Spotless One:

She, whose grieving was perceiving
contemplating, unabating
all the anguish of her Son!

Is there any, tears withholding
Christ’s dear Mother thus beholding
in woe – like no other woe!

Who that would not grief be feeling
for that Holy Mother kneeling
– what suffering was ever so?

For the sins of every nation
she beheld his tribulation
given to scourgers for a prey:

Saw her Jesus foully taken
languishing, by all forsaken
when his spirit passed away.

Love’s sweet fountain, Mother tender
haste this hard heart, soft to render
make me sharer in Thy pain.

Fire me now with zeal so glowing
love so rich to Jesus, flowing
that I favor may obtain.

Holy Mother, I implore Thee
crucify this heart before Thee
guilty it is verily!

Hate, misprision, scorn, derision,
thirst assailing, failing vision
railing, ailing, deal to me.

In Thy keeping, watching, weeping
by the cross may I unsleeping
live and sorrow for his sake.

Close to Jesus, with Thee kneeling
all Thy dolours with Thee feeling
oh grant this – the prayer I make.

Maid immaculate, excelling
peerless one, in heav’n high dwelling
make me truly mourn with Thee.

Make me sighing hear Him dying
ever newly vivifying
the anguish He bore for me.

With the same scar lacerated
by the cross enfired, elated
wrought by love to ecstasy!

Thus inspired and affected
let me, Virgin, be protected
when sounds forth the call for me!

May his sacred cross defend me
he who died there so befriend me
that His pardon shall suffice.

When this earthly frame is riven
grant that to my soul is given
all the joys of Paradise!