Text: Edgar Allan Poe, “Catholic Hymn” (Text-09), J. L. Graham copy of The Raven and Other Poems (1845), with Poe's manuscript changes, 1845-1849, pp. 15


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


[page 15, continued:]

HYMN.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

AT morn — at noon — at twilight dim —

Maria! thou hast heard my hymn!

In joy and wo — in good and ill —

Mother of God, be with me still!

When the Hours flew brightly by,

And not a cloud obscured the sky,

My soul, lest it should truant be,

Thy grace did guide to thine and thee;

Now, when storms of Fate o'ercast

Darkly my Present and my Past,

Let my Future radiant shine

With sweet hopes of thee and thine!


∞∞∞∞∞∞∞


Notes:

This version of the text has incorporated Poe's minor revision in the title, as marked in his personal copy of The Raven and Other Poems. The only change in this version is that Poe has struck out the word “Catholic.” This is an interesting change given the fact that the poem is addressed to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is generally addressed in prayer only by Catholics.

For a detailed analysis of the changes made in this version, see the study text.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

[S:1 - RAOP-JLG, 1846-1849 (fac, 1942)] - Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore - Poems - Catholic Hymn (Text-09)