[12] (p. 25.) Gerontius dreams that he is dying. He has not strength to pray. He hears the persons near his bed praying for him, in the language prescribed by the Church, "The Litany for the Dying." The three opening invocations are in Greek, "Kyrie Eleison" ("Lord, have mercy"), "Christe Eleison" ("Christ, have mercy"), "Kyrie Eleison" ("Lord, have mercy"). The next invocation in the Litany is "Sancta Maria, Ora pro eo," which Cardinal Newman translates into English. With the exception of the first three and the last two invocations, the Litany is in Latin. The Litany is too long for the purpose of the poem, and the author has translated into English some of the invocations that would naturally strike the "fainting soul." "Be merciful" ("Propitius esto"), the assistants continue, still using parts of the Litany as versified by Cardinal Newman. [13] "_Kyrie EleÔson_," etc. The poet has retained the sound-form used in the Prayer-books, and he shows his musical taste by not changing it. [14] "_Rouse thee_," etc. Gerontius concentrates all his vitality. The effect is of nervous energy. The time is quickened and alternately slowed. [15] "_Be merciful_," etc. The Assistants begin with the solemn chant of the Church, and change to the supplication of anxious human hearts: [Illustration] or [Illustration] [16] "_Sanctus fortis_, _Sanctus Deus_," etc. This is the ecstasy of faith, hope, and love. It is three Acts in one, rapidly and forcibly expressed. The energy and strength of self-forgetfulness fail when he, still in the body, sighs: "I can no more; for now it comes again,"-- [Illustration] Note the musical effect of "And, crueller still, A fierce and restless fright begins to fill The mansion of my soul. And, worse and worse, Some bodily form of ill." The pauses after "ill" express horror and weakness,-- [Illustration] [17] (p. 29.) Holy Strong One, Holy God, From the depth I pray to Thee. Mercy, O my Judge, for me; Spare me, Lord. In the Proper for the season of Good Friday the passage which suggested this reads, in Greek and Latin: 1st choir. Agios O Theos (O Holy God). 2d choir. Sanctus Deus (O Holy God). 1st choir. Agios Ischyros (O Holy Strong One). 2d choir. Sanctus Fortis (O Holy Strong One). [18] (p. 30.) Death dissolves me. [19] "_Rescue him, O Lord_," etc. The solemn chant again. Note the difference in metre between this and the "Novissima hora est; and I fain would sleep. The pain has wearied me." Note the ardor of the Priest's "Proficiscere, anima Christiana," etc. [20] (p. 32.) The final hour is here. "Into Thy hands." The whole of this prayer for the dying is: "Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit. O Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Holy Mary, pray for me. O Mary, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, do thou protect me from the enemy and receive me at the hour of death."