That hand shall wipe my streaming eyes; Or into smiles of glad surprise, Transform the falling tear. My sole possession is thy Love; And though with fervent suit I pray, My rapid hours pursue the course By thy command, where'er I stray, A never-failing friend ; And if my suff'rings may augment Let sorrow still attend! It costs me no regret, that she, Who follow'd Christ, should follow me ; And though, where'er she goes, Thorns spring spontaneous at her feet, I love her, and extract a sweet From all my bitter woes. Adieu! ye vain delights of earth; I taste no sweets in you; The Cross! Oh ravishment and bliss.... How grateful ev'n its anguish is ; Its bitterness, how sweet! There ev'ry sense, and all the mind, Tastes happiness complete. Souls once enabl'd to disdain Self-love no grace in sorrow sees, 'Tis all the bliss she knows : In suff'ring her repose. Sorrow, and Love, go side by side; Nor height, nor depth, can e'er divide Their heav'n-appointed bands; Those dear associates still are one, Nor, till the race of life is run, Jesus, avenger of our Fall, Thy choice, and mine, shall be the same; Inspirer of that holy flame, Which must for ever blaze! To take the Cross, and follow thee, JOY IN MARTYRDOM. Vol. 2. Cantique 110. 4. SWEET tenants of this grove! A song of artless love, In unison with mine; These echoing shades return Full many a note of ours, That wise ones cannot learn, With all their boasted pow'rs. Oh thou! whose sacred charms This heart, that cannot rest, SIMPLE TRUST. 00000000000 Vol. 3. Cantique 95. 000000000000 STILL, still, without ceasing, I feel it increasing, This fervour of holy desire; And often exclaim, Let me die in the flame Of a Love that can never expire! Had I words to explain, What she must sustain, Who dies to the world and its ways; How joy and affright, Distress and delight, Alternately chequer her days; Thou, sweetly severe ! I would make thee appear, Than the bitter I meet, This Faith, in the dark Pursuing its mark, Through many sharp trials of Love ; |