Prayer of Penitents

Translated by Henry Francis Cary Selections from “The Divine Comedy” Purgatory: Canto XI. “O THOU Almighty Father! who dost make The heavens thy dwelling, not in bounds confined, But that, with love intenser, there thou view’st Thy primal effluence; hallowed be thy name: Join, each created being, to extol Thy might; for worthy humblest thanks and praise Is thy blest Spirit. May thy kingdom’s peace Come unto us; for we, unless it come, With all our striving, thither tend in vain. As, of their will, the angels unto thee Tender meet sacrifice, circling thy throne With loud hosannas; so of theirs be done By saintly men on earth. Grant us, this day, Our daily manna, without which he roams Through this rough desert retrograde, who most Toils to advance his steps. As we to each Pardon the evil done us, pardon thou Benign, and of our merit take no count. ’Gainst the old adversary, prove thou not Our virtue, easily subdued; but free From his incitements, and defeat his wiles. This last petition, dearest Lord! is made Not for ourselves; since that were needless now; But for their sakes who after us remain.”