William D. KELLY.

Madonna, without stain of sin conceived,
 Whose pity, like thy boundless love, is great
 And swift to succour and compassionate
Those who have sinned, and for their sinning grieved;
Lo, dead lies he, who high renown achieved
 When, ere Rome had decreed immaculate
 Thy blessèd birth, he toiled to vindicate
The glory which was thine, till all believed;
And though awhile in devious paths he strayed,
 Of the clear vision of his faith bereaved,
Be thou his champion now, benignant Maid.
 And let his lapses be for aye reprieved,
Lest haply, Queen, of thee it should be said,
 ‘He trusted in thy love and was deceived.’