NOW I am cast into the serpent pit br And, catching difficult breath br From the writhing, loathsome, ceaseless stir of it, br The venomous whispers of curling, clasping Death, br I lift my soul out of the pit to Thee br And reaching with my soul to where Thou art br Look down, seeing with free heart br The beast God gave my soul for company br Lie with companions fit; br And bid, with a good will, br The serpent-fangs of ill br Take their foul fill br Of the foul fell it wore.