Give me to be thy child, and learn for ever at thy knee.
Give me to grow weak and grey-headed, since thou willst it
so.
Bid me aside
Lay all the pleasures of my youth and pride,
Gladness as well,
Sweet ardours and bright hopes—I’ll not rebel.
Only, I pray, keep me beside thee all the night and day,
Only for all thou takest give thyself and past recall!
And when youth’s gone
As men count going, twixt us two alone
Still let me be
Thy little child, left learning at thy knee.
- "Amor Dei," anonymous