Francis Thompson: Motto and Invocation

I thought of Francis Thompson's little known "Motto and Invocation" as the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls were celebrated this weekend. Thompson was a nineteenth century author and poet whose most famous poem is the "Hound of Heaven."

                MOTTO & INVOCATION

OMNIA PER IPSUM, ET SINE IPSO NIHIL

St. John’s Gospel, chap. I, v. 3, abbreviated

Pardon, O Saint John Divine,

That I change a word of thee—

None the less, aid thou me!

And Siena’s Catharine !

Lofty Doctor, Augustine,

Glorious penitent ! And be

Assisi’s Francis also mine !

Mine be Padua’s Anthony ;

And that other Francis, he

Called of Sales ! Let all combine

To counsel (of great charity)

What I write ! Thy wings incline,

Ah my Angel, o’er the line !

Last and first, O Queen Mary,

Of thy white Immaculacy,

If my work may profit aught,

Fill with lilies every thought !

I surmise

What is white will then be wise.

To which I add : Thomas More,

Teach (thereof my need is sore)

What thou showed well on earth—

Good writ, good wit, make goodly mirth !

                                                                                      F.T.

Holbein: Thomas More