Within the portals of thy shrine

Before thy presence, dearest mine,

I kneel, beseeching thee to bless

My penitence, while I confess,

And can a saint do any less?

If I have sinned as others do,

All human hearts the wide world through

Are erring things, and then with me

My greatest wrong was loving thee,

Wilt thou condemn my constancy?

Look down, dear heart, and let thine eyes

Commend my soul to Paradise.

He little sins, who sins in this

That to obtain eternal bliss

Seeks the communion of a kiss.