Chapter XXIV: Book III: Night

O Holiest Truth! how have I lied to thee!
I vow’d this day thy sacrifice to be;
But I am dim ere night.
Surely I made my prayer, and I did deem
That I could keep in me thy morning beam,
Immaculate and bright.
But my foot slipp’d; and, as I lay, he came,
My gloomy foe, and robb’d me of heaven’s flame.
Help thou my darkness, Lord, till I am light.
—JOHN HENRY NEWMAN.