poefy 0.5.1
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- checksums.yaml +7 -0
- data/.gitignore +74 -0
- data/.rspec +2 -0
- data/Gemfile +2 -0
- data/LICENSE +13 -0
- data/README.md +522 -0
- data/Rakefile +6 -0
- data/bin/poefy +205 -0
- data/data/emily_dickinson.txt +9942 -0
- data/data/english_as_she_is_spoke.txt +647 -0
- data/data/shakespeare_sonnets.txt +2618 -0
- data/data/spec_test_tiny.txt +12 -0
- data/data/st_therese_of_lisieux.txt +3700 -0
- data/data/whitman_leaves.txt +17815 -0
- data/lib/poefy/conditional_satisfaction.rb +208 -0
- data/lib/poefy/database.rb +252 -0
- data/lib/poefy/generation.rb +268 -0
- data/lib/poefy/handle_error.rb +27 -0
- data/lib/poefy/poefy_gen_base.rb +124 -0
- data/lib/poefy/poetic_forms.rb +330 -0
- data/lib/poefy/self.rb +21 -0
- data/lib/poefy/string_manipulation.rb +81 -0
- data/lib/poefy/version.rb +29 -0
- data/lib/poefy.rb +49 -0
- data/poefy.gemspec +33 -0
- data/spec/poefy_spec.rb +464 -0
- data/spec/spec_helper.rb +9 -0
- metadata +175 -0
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Would you live, one happy moment,
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lifted between earth and heaven;
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Feel an atmosphere supernal
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all about you gently rise;
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See the world beneath your feet and
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walk mid radiant Pleiads seven;
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And believe an angel walks beside you,
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from more radiant skies?
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Read these songs of love with reverence;
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let no idle glance profane
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These sublimely simple pages,
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seek their mystic sense to know;
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But learn humbly that in convents
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Love Divine as King doth reign,
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And, within their deep seclusion,
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hearts with joy are all aglow.
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Lovely flower, soul celestial!
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fifteen years at home you grew;
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Then you gave your heart to Jesus,
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fresh with its baptismal dew;
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And the Sovereign Pontiff blessed this
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lovely lily, that we know
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As a nun whose wondrous sweetness,
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heavenly, angelic ways,
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Lyric songs of rapturous music, --
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everything about her -- says
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That an angel passed through Carmel,
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just a few short years ago.
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Oh! how I love Thee, Jesus! my soul aspires to Thee --
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And yet for one day only my simple prayer I pray!
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Come reign within my heart, smile tenderly on me,
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To-day, dear Lord, to-day.
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But if I dare take thought of what the morrow brings --
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That fills my fickle heart with dreary, dull dismay;
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I crave, indeed, my God, trials and sufferings,
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But only for to-day!
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O sweetest Star of heaven! O Virgin, spotless, blest,
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Shining with Jesus' light, guiding to Him my way!
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O Mother! neath thy veil let my tired spirit rest,
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For this brief passing day!
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Soon shall I fly afar among the holy choirs,
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Then shall be mine the joy that never knows decay;
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And then my lips shall sing, to heaven's angelic lyres,
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The eternal, glad To-day!
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The eve His life of love drew near its end,
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Thus Jesus spoke: "Whoever loveth Me,
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And keeps My word as Mine own faithful friend,
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My Father, then and I his guests will be;
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Within his heart will make Our dwelling above.
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Our palace home, true type of heaven above.
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There, filled with peace, We will that he shall rest,
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With us, in love.
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Incarnate Word! Thou Word of God alone!
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To live of love, tis to abide with Thee.
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Thou knowest I love Thee, Jesus Christ, my Own!
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Thy Spirit's fire of love enkindleth me.
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By loving Thee, I draw the Father here
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Down to my heart, to stay with me always.
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Blest Trinity! Thou art my prisoner dear,
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Of love, to-day.
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To live of love, 'tis by Thy life to live,
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O glorious King, my chosen, sole Delight!
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Hid in the Host, how often Thou dost give
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Thyself to those who seek Thy radiant light.
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Then hid shall be my life, unmarked, unknown,
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That I may have Thee heart to heart with me;
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For loving souls desire to be alone,
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With love, and Thee!
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To live of love, 'tis not to fix one's tent
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On Tabor's height and there with Thee remain.
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Tis to climb Calvary with strength nigh spent,
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And count Thy heavy cross our truest gain.
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In heaven, my life a life of joy shall be,
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The heavy cross shall then be gone for aye.
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Here upon earth, in suffering with Thee,
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Love! let me stay.
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To live of love, 'tis without stint to give,
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An never count the cost, nor ask reward;
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So, counting not the cost, I long to live
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And show my dauntless love for Thee, dear Lord!
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O Heart Divine, o'erflowing with tenderness,
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How swift I run, who all to Thee has given!
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Naught but Thy love I need, my life to bless.
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That love is heaven!
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To live of love, it is to know no fear;
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No memory of past faults can I recall;
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No imprint of my sins remaineth here;
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The fire of Love divine effaces all.
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O sacred flames! O furnace of delight!
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I sing my safe sweet happiness to prove.
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In these mild fires I dwell by day, by night.
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I live of love!
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To live of love, 'tis in my heart to guard
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A mighty treasure in a fragile vase.
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Weak, weak, am I, O well-beloved Lord!
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Nor have I yet an angel's perfect grace.
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But, if I fall each hour that hurries by,
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Thou com'st to me from Thy bright home above,
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And, raising me, dost give me strength to cry:
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I live of love!
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To live of love it is to sail afar
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And bring both peace and joy where'er I be.
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O Pilot blest! love is my guiding star;
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In every soul I meet, Thyself I see.
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Safe sail I on, through wind or rain or ice;
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Love urges me, love conquers every gale.
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High on my mast behold is my device:
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"By love I sail!"
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To live of love, it is when Jesus sleeps
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To sleep near Him, though stormy waves beat nigh.
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Deem not I shall awake Him! On these deeps
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Peace reigns, like that the Blessed know on high.
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To Hope, the voyage seems one little day;
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Faith's hand shall soon the veil between remove;
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Tis Charity that swells my sail alway.
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I live of love!
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To live of love, O Master dearest, best!
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It is to beg Thee light Thy holiest fires
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Within the soul of each anointed priest,
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Till he shall feel the Seraphim's desires;
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It is to beg Thee guard Thy Church, O Christ!
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For this I plead with Thee by night, by day;
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And give myself, in sacrifice unpriced,
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With love alway!
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To live of love, it is to dry Thy tears,
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To seek for pardon for each sinful soul,
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To strive to save all men from doubts and fears,
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And bring them home to Thy benign control.
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Comes to my ear sin's wild and blasphemous roar;
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So, to efface each day, that burning shame,
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I cry: " O Jesus Christ! I Thee adore.
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I love Thy Name!"
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To live of love, 'tis Mary's part to share,
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To bathe with tears and odorous perfume
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Thy holy feet, to wipe them with my hair,
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To kiss them; then still loftier lot assume, --
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To rise, and by Thy side to take my place,
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And pour my ointments on Thy holy head.
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But with no balsams I embalm Thy Face!
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'Tis love, instead!
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"To live of love, -- what foolishness she sings!"
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So cries the world. "Renounce such idle joy!
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Waste not thy perfumes on such trivial things.
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In useful arts thy talents now employ!"
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To love Thee, Jesus! Ah, this loss is gain;
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For all my perfumes no reward seek I.
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Quitting the world, I sing in death's sweet pain:
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Of love I die!
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To die of love, O martyrdom most blest!
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For this I long, this is my heart's desire;
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My exile ends; I soon will be at rest.
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Ye Cherubim, lend, lend to me your lyre!
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O dart of Seraphim, O flame of love,
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Consume me wholly; hear my ardent cry!
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Jesu, make real my dream! Come Holy Dove!
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Of love I die!
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To die of love, behold my life's long hope!
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God is my one exceeding great reward.
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He of my wishes forms the end and scope;
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Him only do I seek; my dearest Lord.
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With passionate love for Him my heart is riven.
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O may He quickly come! He draweth nigh!
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Behold my destiny, behold my heaven, --
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OF LOVE TO DIE.
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Dear Jesus! tis Thy Holy Face
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Is here the start that guides my way;
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They countenance, so full of grace,
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Is heaven on earth, for me, to-day.
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And love finds holy charms for me
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In Thy sweet eyes with tear-drops wet;
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Through mine own tears I smile at Thee,
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And in Thy griefs my pains forget.
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How gladly would I live unknown,
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Thus to console Thy aching heart.
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Thy veiled beauty, it is shown
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To those who live from earth apart.
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I long to fly to Thee alone!
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Thy Face is now my fatherland, --
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The radiant sunshine of my days, --
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My realm of love, my sunlit land,
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Where, all life long, I sing Thy praise;
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It is the lily of the vale,
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Whose mystic perfume, freely given,
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Brings comfort, when I faint and fail,
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And makes me taste the peace of heaven.
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Thy face, in its unearthly grace,
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Is like the divinest myrrh to me,
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That on my heart I gladly place;
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It is my lyre of melody;
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My rest -- my comfort -- is Thy Face.
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My only wealth, Lord! is thy Face;
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I ask naught else than this from Thee;
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Hid in the secret of that Face,
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The more I shall resemble Thee!
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Oh, leave on me some impress faint
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Of Thy sweet, humble, patient Face,
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And soon I shall become a saint,
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And draw men to Thy saving grace.
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So, in the secret of Thy Face,
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Oh! hide me, hide me, Jesus blest!
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There let me find its hidden grace,
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Its holy fires, and, in heaven's rest,
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Its rapturous kiss, in Thy embrace!
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Thou, Jesu! on this day my earthly bonds hast broken.
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In Mary's Order old, my soul true goods shall find;
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And if to-day: "farewell" my quivering lips have spoken
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To those who loved me best, so dear, so true, so kind,
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Thou, Lord, wilt be to them far more than I could be;
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And Thou wilt deign to win some sinful souls through me.
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Jesu! on Carmel I shall dwell --
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Thy love has called Thy child to that oasis fair;
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There I desire to serve Thee well,
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To love Thee there, and then to die,
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There! yes, my Jesu, there!
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O Jesu! on this day, Thy love my prayer has granted;
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Before Thy altar throne hereafter tis my part
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Calmly to wait for heaven, -- all pain to bear undaunted, --
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And, lifting to the rays of Thy white Host my heart,
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Within that fire of love all self to burn away,
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And, like a seraph blest, to serve Thee night and day.
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Ah, Jesu! twill be mine -- to dwell,
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One day, with Thee on high, in heaven's bright mansions fair
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There evermore to love Thee well,
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To love Thee, and no more to die,
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There! yes, my Jesu, there!
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Recall, O Christ! the Father's glories bright,
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Recall the splendors of Thy heavenly home,
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Which Thou didst leave, to come to earth's dark night,
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And save poor sinners who in exile roam!
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Dear Jesus! bending down at Mary's humble word,
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In her Thou didst conceal Thy majesty adored.
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Now that maternal breast,
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Thy second heaven, Thy rest,
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Remember Thou!
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Remember, now, the day of Thy blest birth,
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How angels, quitting heaven, sang joyously:
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"To God be power, glory, lasting worth;
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And peace to men of good-will ever be!"
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For nineteen hundred years Thy promise Thou hast kept;
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Thy children in that peace have waked, and worked, and slept.
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To taste forever here
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Thy peace, divinely dear,
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I seek Thee now.
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Remember O Thou Babe in swaddling bands!
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Beside Thy crib I would forever stay.
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There, with Thine angels, Lord of all the lands!
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I would remind thee of that happy day.
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O Jesus! call to mind the shepherds and wise men,
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Who offered Thee their hearts, as I mine own again;
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The Babes of Bethlehem see,
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Who gave their blood for Thee.
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Remember Thou!
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Remember Thou that Mary's holy arms
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Thou didst prefer to any royal throne.
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Dear little One! she shielded Thee from harm,
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She fed Thee with her virginal milk alone.
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Oh, at that feast of love Thy mother gave to Thee,
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My little Brother, grant that I a guest may be,
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Thy little sister I.
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Oh, hear my ardent cry:
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Remember Thou!
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Remember that Thy childish voice, dear Lord!
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Called Joseph father, who, at heaven's decree,
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Prevailed to snatch Thee from the tyrant's sword,
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And sought old Egypt's far-off coast with Thee.
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O Word of God! recall what mysteries round Thee woke;
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Thou didst keep silent, Lord! the while an angel spoke.
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Thy distant, long exile
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On banks of ancient Nile,
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Remember now.
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Remember Thou that on my native shore,
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The stars of gold, the moon of silver bright,
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Which I contemplate, wondering more and more,
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Charmed in the East Thine infant eyes at night.
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That tiny hand of Thine, that stroked Thy Mother's face,
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Sustained the world, held all things in their place;
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And Thou didst think of me!
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Ah! how I think of Thee,
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Remember now.
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Remember Thou, in solitude most blest,
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Thou laboredst with Thy hands for daily bread.
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To live forgotten, -- this Thy earnest quest,
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All human wisdom trampled neath Thy tread,
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One single word of Thine could charm a listening world;
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Yet Thou Thy wisdom kept in closest silence furled.
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Thou, Who didst all things know,
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No sign of power wouldst show.
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Remember Thou!
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Remember how, -- Stranger and Pilgrim here, --
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Thou hadst no home, O Thou Eternal Word!
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Not e'en a pillow for Thy head most dear;
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Not e'en a shelter, like the flitting bird.
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O Jesu, come to me! Rest Thou upon my breast.
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Come, Come! My spirit longs to have Thee for its Guest.
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Thou well-beloved, adored!
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Rest in my heart, dear Lord,
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Ever as now!
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Remember Thou, the loving tenderness
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That Thou didst show to children seeking Thee.
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Like them I would receive Thy kind caress;
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Like them, Thy blessings, Lord, be granted me.
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That I in heaven may gain Thy welcome and Thy rest,
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Here will I practise well all childhood's virtues best.
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"The childlike soul wins heaven."
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This promise Thou hast given,
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Remember Thou!
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Remember Thou that on the fountain's brink, --
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A traveller, weary with the journey's length, --
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Thou of the sinful tenderly didst think,
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And for contrition gave her lasting strength.
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I know Thee well Who asked, of her, the draught, that day.
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Thou art "the Gift of God," the Life, the Truth the Way.
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Thou wilt not pass me by.
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I hear Thy tender cry:
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"Come to Me now!"
|
316
|
+
"Come unto Me, poor souls with sorrow tost!
|
317
|
+
Your heavy load My hands shall take away;
|
318
|
+
Your griefs and pains shall be forever lost,
|
319
|
+
Within the depths of love I feel for aye."
|
320
|
+
I thirst, I thirst, O Christ! Nought else I seek, save Thee.
|
321
|
+
Borne down beneath my cross, I cry: "O comfort me!"
|
322
|
+
Be Thy dear love my home!
|
323
|
+
I come! Yes, Lord, I come!
|
324
|
+
Receive me now!
|
325
|
+
Remember Thou that, though a child of light,
|
326
|
+
Too oft, alas! I have neglected Thee.
|
327
|
+
Take pity on me in life's dreary night;
|
328
|
+
Oh, pardon all my sin and misery!
|
329
|
+
Make my sad heart rejoice Thy holy will to do;
|
330
|
+
My soul to those delights, hid in Thy gospels, woo!
|
331
|
+
That I that book of gold
|
332
|
+
Ever most dear did hold,
|
333
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
334
|
+
Remember Thou Thy holy Mother's power
|
335
|
+
That she possesses o'er Thy Heart divine.
|
336
|
+
Remember, at her prayer, one joyful hour,
|
337
|
+
Thou didst change water to delicious wine.
|
338
|
+
Deign also to transform my works, though poor they be;
|
339
|
+
Oh, make them glorious works, when Mary pleads with Thee.
|
340
|
+
That I am Mary's child,
|
341
|
+
Dear Jesus, meek and mild,
|
342
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
343
|
+
Remember that the summits of the hills
|
344
|
+
Thou often didst ascend at set of sun.
|
345
|
+
Ah! how Thy prayer the long, long night-hours fills,
|
346
|
+
Thy chants of praise when weary day is done.
|
347
|
+
Thy prayer I offer now, with ever new delight,
|
348
|
+
Joined to my own poor prayers, my office, day and night.
|
349
|
+
That I, too, near Thy heart,
|
350
|
+
Take in Thy prayer my part,
|
351
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
352
|
+
Remember that Thine eyes beheld the fields
|
353
|
+
White to the harvest, -- harvest of the blest!
|
354
|
+
Thy Heart o'er them Its mystic influence wields;
|
355
|
+
Within that Heart is room for all, and rest.
|
356
|
+
That soon may come for Thee Thy glorious harvest day,
|
357
|
+
I immolate myself, I offer prayers alway.
|
358
|
+
I give my joys, my tears,
|
359
|
+
For thy good harvesters.
|
360
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
361
|
+
Recall that feast of angels in delight,
|
362
|
+
That harmony of heaven's kingly host,
|
363
|
+
The joy of all those choirs of spirits bright,
|
364
|
+
When one is saved, once counted mongst the lost.
|
365
|
+
Oh, how I would augment that joy and glory there!
|
366
|
+
For sinners I will pray with ceaseless, ardent prayer.
|
367
|
+
To win dear souls to heaven,
|
368
|
+
My life and prayers are given.
|
369
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
370
|
+
Remember that most holy flame of love
|
371
|
+
Thou wouldst enkindle in all hearts alway.
|
372
|
+
To me it came from Thy fair heaven above;
|
373
|
+
Would I could spread its fires by night and day!
|
374
|
+
One feeble spark, dear Lord! -- O glorious mystery! --
|
375
|
+
A fire immense can light, if fanned to flame by Thee.
|
376
|
+
I long, Divinest Star!
|
377
|
+
To bear Thy flames afar.
|
378
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
379
|
+
Remember how the festal board was graced,
|
380
|
+
To feast the penitent returning son!
|
381
|
+
Remember, too, the innocent soul is placed
|
382
|
+
Ever near Thee, O Thou Beloved One!
|
383
|
+
Unto the prodigal no welcome is denied;
|
384
|
+
But, ah! the elder son is always at Thy side.
|
385
|
+
Father, and Love Divine,
|
386
|
+
All that Thou hast is mine.
|
387
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
388
|
+
Remember how Thou didst disdain earth's pride,
|
389
|
+
When working miracles with God's own ease.
|
390
|
+
"Ye who seek human praise! can ye decide
|
391
|
+
To give your faith to mysteries like these?
|
392
|
+
The great works that I do, (so Thou hast said, dear Lord!)
|
393
|
+
My friends shall yet surpass, according to My word."
|
394
|
+
How humble Thou wast then,
|
395
|
+
Among the sons of men.
|
396
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
397
|
+
Remember in what rapture of delight
|
398
|
+
The loved apostle rested on Thy Heart.
|
399
|
+
In that deep peace he knew Thy love and might;
|
400
|
+
Thy mysteries thence he drew, -- how strong Thou art!
|
401
|
+
Of Thy beloved John I feel no jealousy.
|
402
|
+
I am Thy choice; I, too, behold the mystery.
|
403
|
+
I, too, upon Thy breast
|
404
|
+
May have ecstatic rest.
|
405
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
406
|
+
Recall Thine awful hour of agony
|
407
|
+
When blood and tears bore witness to Thy woe.
|
408
|
+
O pearls of love! O rubies fair to see!
|
409
|
+
Thence virginal blooms of beauty ever grow.
|
410
|
+
An angel, showing Thee what harvest Thou shouldst reap,
|
411
|
+
Gave gladness to Thee, then, even while Thou didst weep.
|
412
|
+
Then truly didst Thou see,
|
413
|
+
Amongst those lilies, me!
|
414
|
+
Remember now!
|
415
|
+
Thy blood, Thy tears, -- a fruitful living source,
|
416
|
+
Those mystic flowers, makes virginal evermore;
|
417
|
+
And to them grants a wondrous, holy force,
|
418
|
+
For winning souls to serve Thee and adore.
|
419
|
+
A virginal heart is mine; yet, Christ, what mystery!
|
420
|
+
Mother of souls am I, through my chaste bond with Thee.
|
421
|
+
These virginal flowers that bloom
|
422
|
+
To bring poor sinners home,
|
423
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
424
|
+
Remember Thou, that, steeped in direst woe,
|
425
|
+
Condemned by men, to heaven Thine eyes were raised;
|
426
|
+
And Thou didst cry: " Soon ye My power shall know.
|
427
|
+
Soon shall ye hear My name by angels praised! "
|
428
|
+
Yet who believed Thee, then, the Son of God to be,
|
429
|
+
Thy glory veiled and hid in our humanity?
|
430
|
+
Fairest of sons of men!
|
431
|
+
My God! I knew Thee then!
|
432
|
+
Remember now!
|
433
|
+
Remember that Thy dear, divinest Face,
|
434
|
+
Even among Thy friends, was oft unknown.
|
435
|
+
But Thou hast drawn me by its matchless grace;
|
436
|
+
Thou knowest well I claimed it for mine own.
|
437
|
+
I have divined its charms, tho' wet with human tears.
|
438
|
+
Face of Eternal God! I love Thee all these years.
|
439
|
+
Part of my name Thou art!
|
440
|
+
Thou dost console my heart.
|
441
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
442
|
+
Remember Thou that amorous complaint,
|
443
|
+
Escaping from Thy lips on Calvary's tree:
|
444
|
+
"I thirst!" Oh, how my heart like Thine doth faint.
|
445
|
+
Yes, yes! I share Thy burning thirst with Thee.
|
446
|
+
The more my heart burns bright with Thy great Heart's chaste fires,
|
447
|
+
The more I thirst for souls, to quench Thy Heart's desires.
|
448
|
+
That with such love always
|
449
|
+
I burn, by night, by day,
|
450
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
451
|
+
Remember, O my Jesu! Word of life!
|
452
|
+
That Thou hast loved me, dying e'en for me.
|
453
|
+
Oh, let me be with holy folly rife!
|
454
|
+
So would I, also, live and die for Thee!
|
455
|
+
Thou knowest, Lord! my wish, my loving heart's desire, --
|
456
|
+
To make Thee loved, and then, in martyrdom expire.
|
457
|
+
I long of love to die.
|
458
|
+
O hear my ardent cry.
|
459
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
460
|
+
Recall that glorious, that victorious hour,
|
461
|
+
When Thou didst say: "Happy indeed is he,
|
462
|
+
Who has not seen My triumph and My power,
|
463
|
+
But, seeing not, has still believed in Me."
|
464
|
+
In faith's dim, shadowy night, I love Thee, I adore.
|
465
|
+
Jesu, I wait in peace, till faith's long night is o'er.
|
466
|
+
That not one wish had I
|
467
|
+
To see Thee neath this sky,
|
468
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
469
|
+
Remember that ascending unto God,
|
470
|
+
Thou wouldst not leave us orphans sad and lone,
|
471
|
+
But didst, a Prisoner still, where we abode,
|
472
|
+
Veil on our altars all Thy pomp, my Own!
|
473
|
+
The shadow of Thy veil is, oh! how pure and bright,
|
474
|
+
Thou Living Bread of faith, heaven's Food, my heart's Delight.
|
475
|
+
O mystery of love!
|
476
|
+
My Bread from heaven above,
|
477
|
+
Jesus, tis Thou!
|
478
|
+
Remember Thou, in spite of insults hurled
|
479
|
+
Against this sacrament of love divine,
|
480
|
+
Thou dost remain in this dull, weary world,
|
481
|
+
And fix Thy dwelling in a heart like mine.
|
482
|
+
O Bread of exiled souls! holy and heavenly Host!
|
483
|
+
No more I live -- not I! in Thee my life is lost.
|
484
|
+
Thy chosen ciborium
|
485
|
+
Am I. Come, Jesu, come!
|
486
|
+
My Love art Thou.
|
487
|
+
Thy sanctuary here, dear Lord, am I,
|
488
|
+
That evil men shall never dare molest.
|
489
|
+
Rest in my, heart! Oh, do not pass me by!
|
490
|
+
Thy garden I, each flower an offering blest.
|
491
|
+
But if from me Thou turn, white Lily of the vale!
|
492
|
+
I know too well those flowers would wither and would fail.
|
493
|
+
Ever, Thou Lily rare!
|
494
|
+
Bloom in my garden fair.
|
495
|
+
My life art Thou!
|
496
|
+
Remember that I longed upon this earth,
|
497
|
+
To comfort Thee for sinners' scorn of Thee.
|
498
|
+
Give me a thousand hearts to praise Thy worth.
|
499
|
+
My Well-Beloved! abide, abide with me!
|
500
|
+
A thousand hearts too few would be for my desire;
|
501
|
+
Give me Thy Heart to set my longing heart on fire.
|
502
|
+
My ardent love for Thee,
|
503
|
+
While swift the moments flee,
|
504
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
505
|
+
Remember, Lord! that Thy dear will alone
|
506
|
+
Is my sole wish, my only happiness.
|
507
|
+
I give myself to Thee, to rest, mine Own!
|
508
|
+
With Thee in peace, and know Thy power to bless.
|
509
|
+
And if Thou seems't to sleep while raging waves beat high,
|
510
|
+
In peace I still remain, without one anguished cry.
|
511
|
+
In peace, on Thee, I wait;
|
512
|
+
But, for th' Awakening great,
|
513
|
+
Prepare me Thou!
|
514
|
+
Remember how I often long and sigh
|
515
|
+
For that last day when angels shall proclaim:
|
516
|
+
"Time is no morel The judgment draweth nigh.
|
517
|
+
Rise thou, to face thy judge! He calls thy name."
|
518
|
+
Then swiftly shall I fly, past bounds of earth in space,
|
519
|
+
To live at last within the Vision of Thy Face.
|
520
|
+
That it alone can be
|
521
|
+
My joy eternally,
|
522
|
+
Remember Thou!
|
523
|
+
Beside the tomb wept Magdalen at dawn, --
|
524
|
+
She sought to find the dead and buried Christ;
|
525
|
+
Nothing could fill the void now He was gone,
|
526
|
+
No one to soothe her burning grief sufficed.
|
527
|
+
Not even you, Archangels heaven-assigned!
|
528
|
+
To her could bring content that dreary day.
|
529
|
+
Your buried King, alone, she longed to find,
|
530
|
+
And bear His lifeless body far away.
|
531
|
+
Beside His tomb she there the last remained,
|
532
|
+
And there again was she before the sun;
|
533
|
+
There, too, to come to her the Saviour deigned, --
|
534
|
+
He would not be, by her, in love outdone.
|
535
|
+
Gently He showed her then His blessed Face,
|
536
|
+
And one word sprang from His deep Heart's recess:
|
537
|
+
Mary! His voice she knew, she knew its grace;
|
538
|
+
It came with perfect peace her heart to bless.
|
539
|
+
One day, my God! I, too, like Magdalen,
|
540
|
+
Desired to find Thee, to draw near to Thee;
|
541
|
+
So, over earth's immense, wide-stretching plain,
|
542
|
+
I sought its Master and its King to see.
|
543
|
+
Then cried I, though I saw the flowers bloom
|
544
|
+
In beauty neath green trees and azure skies:
|
545
|
+
O brilliant Nature! thou art one vast tomb,
|
546
|
+
Unless God's Face shall greet my longing eyes."
|
547
|
+
A heart I need, to soothe me and to bless, --
|
548
|
+
A strong support that can not pass away, --
|
549
|
+
To love me wholly, e'en my feebleness,
|
550
|
+
And never leave me through the night or day.
|
551
|
+
There is not one created thing below,
|
552
|
+
Can love me truly, and can never die.
|
553
|
+
God become man -- none else my needs can know;
|
554
|
+
He, He alone, can understand my cry.
|
555
|
+
Thou comprehendest all I need, dear Lord!
|
556
|
+
To win my heart, from heaven Thou didst come;
|
557
|
+
For me Thy blood didst shed, O King adored!
|
558
|
+
And on our altars makest Thy home.
|
559
|
+
So, if I may not here behold Thy Face,
|
560
|
+
Or catch the heav'nly music of Thy Voice,
|
561
|
+
I still can live, each moment, by Thy grace,
|
562
|
+
And in Thy Sacred Heart I can rejoice.
|
563
|
+
O Heart of Jesus, wealth of tenderness!
|
564
|
+
My joy Thou art, in Thee I safely hide.
|
565
|
+
Thou, Who my earliest youth didst charm and bless,
|
566
|
+
Till my last evening, oh! with me abide,
|
567
|
+
All that I had, to Thee I wholly gave,
|
568
|
+
To Thee each deep desire of mine is known.
|
569
|
+
Whoso his life shall lose, that life shall save; --
|
570
|
+
Let mine be ever lost in Thine alone!
|
571
|
+
I know it well, -- no righteousness of mine
|
572
|
+
Hath any value in Thy searching eyes;
|
573
|
+
Its every breath my heart must draw from Thine,
|
574
|
+
To make of worth my life's long sacrifice.
|
575
|
+
Thou hast not found Thine angels without taint;
|
576
|
+
Thy Law amid the thunderbolts was given;
|
577
|
+
And yet, my Jesus! I nor fear nor faint.
|
578
|
+
For me, on Calvary, Thy Heart was riven.
|
579
|
+
To see Thee in Thy glory face to face, --
|
580
|
+
I know it well, -- the soul must pass through fires.
|
581
|
+
Choose I on earth my purgatorial place, --
|
582
|
+
The flaming love of Thy great Heart's desires!
|
583
|
+
So shall my exiled soul, to death's command,
|
584
|
+
Make answer with one cry of perfect love;
|
585
|
+
Then flying straight to heaven its Fatherland,
|
586
|
+
Shall reach with no delay that home above.
|
587
|
+
Exiled afar from heaven, I still, dear Lord, can sing, --
|
588
|
+
I, Thy betrothed, can sing the eternal hymn of love;
|
589
|
+
For, spite of exile comes to me, on dove-like wing,
|
590
|
+
Thy Holy Spirit's fire of rapture from above.
|
591
|
+
Beauty supreme! my Love Thou art;
|
592
|
+
Thyself Thou givest all to me.
|
593
|
+
Oh, take my heart, my yearning heart, --
|
594
|
+
Make of my life one act of love to Thee!
|
595
|
+
Canst Thou my worthlessness efface?
|
596
|
+
In heart like mine canst make Thy home?
|
597
|
+
Yes, love wins love, -- O wondrous grace!
|
598
|
+
I love Thee, love Thee! Jesu, come I
|
599
|
+
Love that enkindleth me,
|
600
|
+
Pierce and inflame me;
|
601
|
+
Come, for I cry to Thee!
|
602
|
+
Come and be mine!
|
603
|
+
Thy love it urgeth me;
|
604
|
+
Fain would I ever be
|
605
|
+
Sunken and lost in Thee,
|
606
|
+
Furnace divine!
|
607
|
+
All pain borne for Thee
|
608
|
+
Changes to joy for me,
|
609
|
+
When my love flies to Thee,
|
610
|
+
Winged like the dove.
|
611
|
+
Heavenly Completeness,
|
612
|
+
Infinite Sweetness,
|
613
|
+
My soul possesseth Thee
|
614
|
+
Here, as above.
|
615
|
+
Heavenly Completeness,
|
616
|
+
Infinite sweetness,
|
617
|
+
Naught else art Thou but Love!
|
618
|
+
In wondrous love Thou didst come down from heaven
|
619
|
+
To immolate Thyself, O Christ, for me;
|
620
|
+
So, in my turn, my love to Thee is given,
|
621
|
+
I wish to suffer and to die for Thee.
|
622
|
+
Thou, Lord, hast spoken this truth benign:
|
623
|
+
"To die for one loved tenderly
|
624
|
+
Of greatest love on earth is sign;"
|
625
|
+
And now, such love is mine, --
|
626
|
+
Such love for Thee!
|
627
|
+
Abide, abide with me, O Pilgrim blest!
|
628
|
+
Behind the hill fast sinks the dying day.
|
629
|
+
Helped by Thy cross I mount the rocky crest;
|
630
|
+
Oh, come, to guide me on my heavenward way.
|
631
|
+
To be like Thee is my desire;
|
632
|
+
Thy voice finds echo in my soul.
|
633
|
+
Suffering I crave! Thy words of fire
|
634
|
+
Lift me above earth's mire,
|
635
|
+
And sin's control.
|
636
|
+
Chanting Thy victories, gloriously sublime,
|
637
|
+
The Seraphim -- all heaven -- cry to me,
|
638
|
+
That even Thou, to conquer sin and crime,
|
639
|
+
Upon this earth a sufferer needs must be.
|
640
|
+
For me, upon life's dreary way,
|
641
|
+
What scorn, what anguish, Thou didst bear
|
642
|
+
Let me grow humble every day,
|
643
|
+
Be least of all, alway,
|
644
|
+
Thy lot to share!
|
645
|
+
Ah, Christ! Thy great example teaches me
|
646
|
+
Myself to humble, honors to despise.
|
647
|
+
Little and low like Thee I choose to be,
|
648
|
+
Forgetting self, so I may charm Thine eyes.
|
649
|
+
My peace I find in solitude,
|
650
|
+
Nor ask I more, dear Lord, than this:
|
651
|
+
Be Thou my sole beatitude, --
|
652
|
+
Ever, in Thee, renewed
|
653
|
+
My joy, my bliss!
|
654
|
+
Thou, the great God Whom earth and heaven adore,
|
655
|
+
Thou dwellest a prisoner for me night and day;
|
656
|
+
And every hour I hear Thy voice implore:
|
657
|
+
"I thirst -- I thirst -- I thirst -- for love alway!"
|
658
|
+
I, too, Thy prisoner am I;
|
659
|
+
I, too, cry ever unto Thee
|
660
|
+
Thine own divine and tender cry:
|
661
|
+
"I thirst! Oh, let me die"
|
662
|
+
"Of love for Thee!"
|
663
|
+
For love of Thee I thirst! Fulfil my hope;
|
664
|
+
Augment in me Thine own celestial flame!
|
665
|
+
For love of Thee I thirst! Too scant earth's scope.
|
666
|
+
The glorious Vision of Thy Face I claim!
|
667
|
+
My long slow martyrdom of fire
|
668
|
+
Still more and more consumeth me.
|
669
|
+
Thou art my joy, my one desire.
|
670
|
+
Jesu! may I expire
|
671
|
+
Of love for Thee!
|
672
|
+
To bear my exile now, within this world of tears,
|
673
|
+
The holy tender glance of Christ, my Lord, I need.
|
674
|
+
That glance, surcharged with love, consoles me through the years;
|
675
|
+
His loveliness displays foretaste of heaven indeed.
|
676
|
+
On me my Jesus smiles, when toward Him I aspire -- ,
|
677
|
+
The trial of my faith then weighs no more on me.
|
678
|
+
That love-glance of my God, that smile of holy fire,
|
679
|
+
Oh, this is heaven for me!
|
680
|
+
Tis heaven to have the power, great grace from Christ to win
|
681
|
+
For Holy Mother Church, for all my Sisters dear, --
|
682
|
+
For every soul on earth that He may enter in,
|
683
|
+
Enflame our sinful hearts, and grant us joy and cheer.
|
684
|
+
All things my love can gain when, heart to heart, I pray,
|
685
|
+
Alone with Jesus Christ in speechless ecstasy.
|
686
|
+
Beside His altar blest with Him I gladly stay, --
|
687
|
+
Oh, this is heaven for me!
|
688
|
+
My heaven within the Host safe hid and peaceful, lies,
|
689
|
+
Where Jesus Christ abides, divinest, fairest Fair.
|
690
|
+
From that great fount of love doth endless life arise;
|
691
|
+
There, day and night, my Lord doth hearken to my prayer.
|
692
|
+
When, in Thy perfect love (O moment blest and bright!)
|
693
|
+
Thou comest, Spouse most pure, me to transform in Thee,
|
694
|
+
That union of our hearts, that rapture of delight, --
|
695
|
+
Oh, this is heaven for me!
|
696
|
+
My heaven it is to feel in me some likeness blest
|
697
|
+
To Him Who made me and my soul hath reconciled;
|
698
|
+
My heaven it is always beneath His eye to rest.
|
699
|
+
To call Him Father dear, and be His loving child.
|
700
|
+
Safe shielded in His arms, no storm my soul can fear;
|
701
|
+
Complete abandonment my only law shall be.
|
702
|
+
To sleep upon His Heart, with His blest Face so near, --
|
703
|
+
Oh, this is heaven for me!
|
704
|
+
My heaven is God alone, the Trinity Divine,
|
705
|
+
Who dwells within my heart, the Prisoner of my love.
|
706
|
+
There, contemplating Thee, I tell Thee Thou art mine;
|
707
|
+
Thee will I love and serve until we meet above.
|
708
|
+
My heaven it is to smile on Thee whom I adore,
|
709
|
+
E'en when, to try my faith, from me Thou hidest Thee;
|
710
|
+
Calmly on Thee to smile, until Thou smil'st once more, --
|
711
|
+
Oh, this is heaven to me!
|
712
|
+
Though in a foreign land I dwell afar,
|
713
|
+
I taste in dreams the endless joys of heaven.
|
714
|
+
Fain would I fly beyond the farthest star,
|
715
|
+
And see the wonders to the ransomed given!
|
716
|
+
No more the sense of exile weighs on me,
|
717
|
+
When once I dream of that immortal day.
|
718
|
+
To my true fatherland, dear God! I see,
|
719
|
+
For the first time I soon shall fly away.
|
720
|
+
Ah! give me, Jesus! wings as white as snow,
|
721
|
+
That unto Thee I soon may take my flight.
|
722
|
+
I long to be where flowers unfading blow;
|
723
|
+
I long to see Thee, O my heart's Delight!
|
724
|
+
I long to fly to Mary's mother-arms, --
|
725
|
+
To rest upon that spotless throne of bliss;
|
726
|
+
And, sheltered there from troubles and alarms,
|
727
|
+
For the first time to feel her gentle kiss.
|
728
|
+
Thy first sweet smile of welcoming delight
|
729
|
+
Soon show, O Jesus! to Thy lowly bride;
|
730
|
+
O'ercome with rapture at that wondrous sight,
|
731
|
+
Within Thy Sacred Heart, ah! let me hide.
|
732
|
+
O happy moment! and O heavenly grace!
|
733
|
+
When I shall hear Thee, Jesus, speak to me;
|
734
|
+
And the full vision of Thy glorious Face
|
735
|
+
For the first time my longing eyes shall see.
|
736
|
+
Thou knowest well, my only martyrdom
|
737
|
+
Is love, O Heart of Jesus Christ! for Thee;
|
738
|
+
And if my soul craves for its heavenly home,
|
739
|
+
Tis but to love Thee more, eternally.
|
740
|
+
Above, when Thy sweet Face unveiled I view,
|
741
|
+
Measure nor bounds shall to my love be given;
|
742
|
+
Forever my delight shall seem as new
|
743
|
+
As the first time my spirit entered heaven.
|
744
|
+
O little key! I envy thee,
|
745
|
+
For thou canst ope, at any hour,
|
746
|
+
The Eucharistic prison-house,
|
747
|
+
Where dwells the God of Love and Power.
|
748
|
+
And yet -- Oh, tender mystery! --
|
749
|
+
One effort of my faith alone
|
750
|
+
Unlocks the tabernacle door,
|
751
|
+
And hides me there with Christ my Own.
|
752
|
+
O lamp within the holy place,
|
753
|
+
Whose mystic lights forever shine!
|
754
|
+
I fain would burn with fires of love
|
755
|
+
As bright, before my God and thine.
|
756
|
+
Yet, miracle of wondrous bliss!
|
757
|
+
Such flames are mine; and, day by day,
|
758
|
+
I can win souls to Jesus Christ,
|
759
|
+
To burn with His pure love for aye.
|
760
|
+
O consecrated altar-stone!
|
761
|
+
I envy thee with every morn.
|
762
|
+
As once in Bethlehem's blessed shed,
|
763
|
+
The Eternal Word on thee is born.
|
764
|
+
Yet, gentle Saviour! hear my plea;
|
765
|
+
Enter my heart, O Lord divine!
|
766
|
+
Tis no cold stone I offer Thee,
|
767
|
+
Who dost desire this heart of mine!
|
768
|
+
O corporal that angels guard!
|
769
|
+
What envy of thee fills my breast!
|
770
|
+
On thee, as in His swaddling bands,
|
771
|
+
I see my only Treasure rest.
|
772
|
+
Ah Virgin Mother! change my heart
|
773
|
+
Into a corporal pure and fair,
|
774
|
+
Whereon the snow-white Host may rest,
|
775
|
+
And thy meek Lamb find shelter there.
|
776
|
+
O holy paten! Jesus makes
|
777
|
+
Of Thee His sacramental throne.
|
778
|
+
Ah! if He would abase Himself,
|
779
|
+
To dwell awhile with me alone!
|
780
|
+
Jesus fulfils my longing hope,
|
781
|
+
Nor must I wait until I die; --
|
782
|
+
He comes to me! He lives in me!
|
783
|
+
His ostensorium am I!
|
784
|
+
The chalice, too, I fain would be,
|
785
|
+
Where I adore the Blood divine!
|
786
|
+
Yet, at the holy sacrifice,
|
787
|
+
That Precious Blood each day is mine.
|
788
|
+
More dear to Jesus is my soul,
|
789
|
+
Than chalices of gold could be;
|
790
|
+
His altar is a Calvary new,
|
791
|
+
Whereon His Blood still flows for me.
|
792
|
+
Only one little bunch of grapes
|
793
|
+
That gladly disappears for Thee,
|
794
|
+
O Jesus, holy, heavenly Vine!
|
795
|
+
Thou knowest I rejoice to be.
|
796
|
+
Beneath the pressure of the cross,
|
797
|
+
I prove my love for Thee alway;
|
798
|
+
And ask no other joy than this, --
|
799
|
+
To immolate myself each day!
|
800
|
+
Among the grains of purest wheat,
|
801
|
+
O happy lot! he chooses me.
|
802
|
+
We lose our life for Him, the Christ, --
|
803
|
+
What rapturous height of ecstasy!
|
804
|
+
Thy spouse am I, Thy chosen one.
|
805
|
+
My Well-Beloved! come, dwell in me.
|
806
|
+
Thy beauty wins my heart. Oh, come!
|
807
|
+
Deign to transform me into Thee!
|
808
|
+
Oh, how my heart would spend itself, to bless;
|
809
|
+
It hath such need to prove its tenderness!
|
810
|
+
And yet what heart can my heart comprehend?
|
811
|
+
What heart shall always love me without end?
|
812
|
+
All -- all in vain for such return seek I;
|
813
|
+
Jesus alone my soul can satisfy.
|
814
|
+
Naught else contents or charms me here below;
|
815
|
+
Created things no lasting joy bestow.
|
816
|
+
My peace, my joy, my love, O Christ!
|
817
|
+
'Tis Thou alone! Thou hast sufficed.
|
818
|
+
Thou didst know how to make a mother's heart;
|
819
|
+
Tenderest of fathers, Lord! to me Thou art.
|
820
|
+
My only Love, Jesus, Divinest Word!
|
821
|
+
More than maternal is Thy heart, dear Lord!
|
822
|
+
Each moment Thou my way dost guard and guide;
|
823
|
+
I call -- at once I find Thee at my side --
|
824
|
+
And if, sometimes Thou hid'st Thy face from me,
|
825
|
+
Thou com'st Thyself to help me seek for Thee.
|
826
|
+
Thee, Thee, alone I choose: I am Thy bride.
|
827
|
+
Unto Thy arms I hasten, there to hide.
|
828
|
+
Thee would I love, as little children love;
|
829
|
+
For Thee, like warrior bold, my love I'd prove.
|
830
|
+
Now, like to children, full of joy and glee,
|
831
|
+
So come I, Lord! to show my love to Thee;
|
832
|
+
Yet, like a warrior bold with high elation,
|
833
|
+
Rush I to combats in my blest vocation.
|
834
|
+
Thy Heart is Guardian of our innocence;
|
835
|
+
Not once shall it deceive my confidence.
|
836
|
+
Wholly my hopes are placed in Thee, dear Lord!
|
837
|
+
After long exile, I Thy Face adored
|
838
|
+
In heaven shall see. When clouds the skies o'erspread.
|
839
|
+
To Thee, my Jesus! I lift up my head;
|
840
|
+
For, in Thy tender glance, these words I see:
|
841
|
+
"O child! I made My radiant heaven for thee."
|
842
|
+
I know it well -- my burning tears and sighs
|
843
|
+
Are full of charm for Thy benignant eyes.
|
844
|
+
Strong seraphs form in heaven Thy court divine,
|
845
|
+
Yet Thou dost seek this poor weak heart of mine.
|
846
|
+
Ah! take my heart! Jesus, tis Thine alone;
|
847
|
+
All my desires I yield to Thee, my Own!
|
848
|
+
And all my friends, that are so loved by me,
|
849
|
+
No longer will I love them, save in Thee!
|
850
|
+
O Jesu! O my Love! Each eve I come to fling
|
851
|
+
Before Thy sacred Cross sweet flowers of all the year.
|
852
|
+
By these plucked petals bright, my hands how gladly bring,
|
853
|
+
I long to dry Thine every tear!
|
854
|
+
To scatter flowers! -- that means each sacrifice,
|
855
|
+
My lightest sighs and pains, my heaviest, saddest hours,
|
856
|
+
My hopes, my joys, my prayers, -- I will not count the price.
|
857
|
+
Behold my flowers!
|
858
|
+
With deep, untold delight Thy beauty fills my soul.
|
859
|
+
Would I might light this love in hearts of all who live!
|
860
|
+
For this, my fairest flowers, all things in my control,
|
861
|
+
How fondly, gladly I would give!
|
862
|
+
To scatter flowers! -- behold my chosen sword
|
863
|
+
For saving sinners' souls and filling heaven's bowers.
|
864
|
+
The victory is mine: yes, I disarm Thee, Lord,
|
865
|
+
With these my flowers!
|
866
|
+
The petals in their flight caress Thy Holy Face;
|
867
|
+
They tell Thee that my heart is Thine, and Thine alone.
|
868
|
+
Thou knowest what these leaves are saying in my place;
|
869
|
+
On me Thou smilest from Thy throne.
|
870
|
+
To scatter flowers! -- that means, to speak of Thee, --
|
871
|
+
My only pleasure here, where tears fill all the hours;
|
872
|
+
But soon, with angel hosts, my spirit shall be free,
|
873
|
+
To scatter flowers!
|
874
|
+
What from our lot could us entice!
|
875
|
+
'Tis ours the altar-breads to make
|
876
|
+
For that tremendous sacrifice
|
877
|
+
Where Christ is offered for our sake.
|
878
|
+
Heaven will be here, on sinful earth,
|
879
|
+
When hid beneath these veils of snow:
|
880
|
+
And God be here, in a new birth,
|
881
|
+
Come down to dwell with us below!
|
882
|
+
No queens are reigning anywhere
|
883
|
+
In joy as great as ours to-day
|
884
|
+
Our very work is love and prayer,
|
885
|
+
And binds our Spouse to us alway.
|
886
|
+
Earth's highest honors seem as naught,
|
887
|
+
Beside this service of Heaven's King;
|
888
|
+
Beside this peace, with blessings fraught
|
889
|
+
That Jesus sends on dove-like wing.
|
890
|
+
A holy envy fills our hearts
|
891
|
+
For this fair work of our delight:
|
892
|
+
For these small snow-white hosts, whose arts
|
893
|
+
Shall hide the Lamb of God from sight.
|
894
|
+
Yet we His brides, His chosen, are;
|
895
|
+
Our Friend is He, our Spouse is He!
|
896
|
+
And hosts are we, that He, our Star,
|
897
|
+
Transforms to light and ecstasy.
|
898
|
+
The priest's high lot is like our own,
|
899
|
+
In this our daily work for God.
|
900
|
+
Transformed by Him, we tread alone
|
901
|
+
The very path that He once trod.
|
902
|
+
By prayers, by acts of love divine,
|
903
|
+
His brave apostles we must aid;
|
904
|
+
With them our grace we must combine,
|
905
|
+
And fight their battles unafraid.
|
906
|
+
God, hid beneath these snowy veils,
|
907
|
+
Will hide Him, too, our hearts within.
|
908
|
+
O miracle! our prayer prevails,
|
909
|
+
With Him, for mercy upon sin.
|
910
|
+
Our joy, our glory, our delight,
|
911
|
+
O Jesus! is this work for Thee.
|
912
|
+
Thy Heaven is these ciboriums bright
|
913
|
+
Our prayers shall fill with souls for Thee.
|
914
|
+
With heavenly armor am I clad to-day;
|
915
|
+
The hand of God has thus invested me.
|
916
|
+
What now from Him could tear my heart away;
|
917
|
+
What henceforth come between my God and me?
|
918
|
+
With Him for Guide, the fight I face serene;
|
919
|
+
Nor furious fire, nor foe, nor death, I fear.
|
920
|
+
My enemies shall know I am a queen,
|
921
|
+
The spouse of God, most high, most dear.
|
922
|
+
This armor I shall keep while life shall last;
|
923
|
+
Thou, Thou, hast given it Me, my King, my Spouse!
|
924
|
+
My fairest, brightest gems, by naught on earth surpast,
|
925
|
+
Shall be my sacred vows.
|
926
|
+
My first dear sacrifice, O Poverty,
|
927
|
+
Thou shalt go with me till my dying hour.
|
928
|
+
Detached from all things must the athlete be,
|
929
|
+
If he the race would run, and prove his power
|
930
|
+
Taste, worldly men! regret, remorse and pain,
|
931
|
+
The bitter fruits of earthly, vain desire;
|
932
|
+
The glorious palms of Poverty I gain,
|
933
|
+
I who to God alone aspire.
|
934
|
+
"Who would My heavenly Kingdom have from Me,
|
935
|
+
He must use violence," so Jesus said.
|
936
|
+
Ah well then! Poverty my mighty lance shall be,
|
937
|
+
The helmet for my head.
|
938
|
+
The pure white Angels' sister now am I;
|
939
|
+
My vow of Chastity has made me so.
|
940
|
+
Ah, how I hope one day with them to fly!
|
941
|
+
Meanwhile to daily combat must I go.
|
942
|
+
For my great Spouse, of every lord the Lord,
|
943
|
+
Struggle must I, with neither truce nor rest;
|
944
|
+
And Chastity shall be my heavenly sword.
|
945
|
+
To win men's souls to Jesus' breast.
|
946
|
+
O Chastity,my sword invincible!
|
947
|
+
To overcome my foes thou hast sufficed;
|
948
|
+
By thee am I -- O joy ineffable! --
|
949
|
+
The Spouse of Jesus Christ.
|
950
|
+
The proud, proud angel, in the realms of light,
|
951
|
+
Cried out, rebellious: "I will not obey!"
|
952
|
+
But I shall cry, throughout earth's dreary night,
|
953
|
+
"With all my heart, I will obey alway!"
|
954
|
+
With holy boldness all my soul is steeled,
|
955
|
+
Against hell's wild attacks I bravely dart;
|
956
|
+
Obedience is my firm and mighty shield,
|
957
|
+
The buckler on my valiant heart.
|
958
|
+
O conquering God! no other prize I seek,
|
959
|
+
Than to submit with all my heart to Thee;
|
960
|
+
Of victories th' obedient man shall speak
|
961
|
+
Through all eternity.
|
962
|
+
If now a soldier's weapon I can wield,
|
963
|
+
If valiantly like him the foe I face,
|
964
|
+
I also long to sing upon the field,
|
965
|
+
As sang the glorious Virgin of all grace.
|
966
|
+
Thou mak'st the chords to vibrate of Thy lyre.
|
967
|
+
That lyre, O Jesus! is my loving heart;
|
968
|
+
To sing Thy mercies is that heart's desire.
|
969
|
+
How sweet, how strong, how dear, Thou art.
|
970
|
+
With radiant smile, Thou Spouse, my heart's Delight,
|
971
|
+
I go to meet all foes from hell's dark land;
|
972
|
+
And singing I shall die, upon the field of fight,
|
973
|
+
My weapons in my hand.
|
974
|
+
How many souls on earth there are,
|
975
|
+
Who vainly seek for peace and rest!
|
976
|
+
With me, tis otherwise by far;
|
977
|
+
Joy dwells forever in my breast.
|
978
|
+
No fading blossom is this flower,
|
979
|
+
Of its decay no fear have I;
|
980
|
+
Like fragrant rose in springtime's bower
|
981
|
+
So fair it is, yet shall not die.
|
982
|
+
Well nigh too great my gladness is,
|
983
|
+
All things I wish are mine to-day.
|
984
|
+
How can I help but show my bliss,
|
985
|
+
Who am so light at heart, so gay?
|
986
|
+
My joy I find in pain and loss,
|
987
|
+
I love the thorns that guard the rose;
|
988
|
+
With joy I kiss each heavy cross,
|
989
|
+
And smile with every tear that flows.
|
990
|
+
When clouds the sunny skies o'ercast,
|
991
|
+
And weary grows my heart the while,
|
992
|
+
My joy it is that joy is past,
|
993
|
+
And gone my Lord's consoling smile.
|
994
|
+
My peace is hid in Jesus' breast, --
|
995
|
+
May His sweet will alone be done!
|
996
|
+
What fear can mar my perfect rest,
|
997
|
+
Who love the shadow as the sun?
|
998
|
+
My peace,'tis like a child to be,
|
999
|
+
That doth not plan, nor understand;
|
1000
|
+
So, when I fall, Christ raiseth me,
|
1001
|
+
And leads me gently by the hand.
|
1002
|
+
My childish love I manifest,
|
1003
|
+
And for His grace alone implore;
|
1004
|
+
Then, if He hide, my love to test,
|
1005
|
+
I only love Him all the more.
|
1006
|
+
My peace, it is to hide my tears,
|
1007
|
+
Nor ever show my bitter pain.
|
1008
|
+
What joy to suffer through the years;
|
1009
|
+
To veil with flowers each galling chain!
|
1010
|
+
To suffer, yet make no complaint,
|
1011
|
+
Since this, my Jesus, pleases Thee!
|
1012
|
+
Could any trial make me faint?
|
1013
|
+
'Tis Thy sweet cross is laid on me.
|
1014
|
+
My peace,-- it is with God to plead,
|
1015
|
+
In prayers and tears, by day and night;
|
1016
|
+
For many souls to intercede,
|
1017
|
+
And say to Him, my heart's Delight:
|
1018
|
+
"O Little Brother, Heavenly King!
|
1019
|
+
For Thee the cross I gladly bear.
|
1020
|
+
My only joy is suffering,
|
1021
|
+
Since thus Thy earthly lot I share."
|
1022
|
+
I long would live an exile here,
|
1023
|
+
If that be Thy dear will for me;
|
1024
|
+
Or soon would flee from exile drear,
|
1025
|
+
If thou shouldst call me unto Thee.
|
1026
|
+
Since Love's divine, celestial breath
|
1027
|
+
Is all I need, my heart to bless,
|
1028
|
+
What matters life, what matters death?
|
1029
|
+
Love is my peace, my happiness!
|
1030
|
+
O King majestic, strong! e'en from my earliest days,
|
1031
|
+
I well may call myself Thy work of grace alone;
|
1032
|
+
Thy love to pay with love, Thy care to tell with praise,
|
1033
|
+
I come with joy to-day, before Thy altar-throne.
|
1034
|
+
Jesu, my Best-Beloved! what privilege is this?
|
1035
|
+
For nothingness am I. What have I done for Thee?
|
1036
|
+
Yet, clad in virginal white, it is to-day my bliss
|
1037
|
+
To follow Thee, the Lamb, in heavenly ecstasy.
|
1038
|
+
I know, alas, too well, that I am less than naught,
|
1039
|
+
Weakness itself, and poor; devoid of virtues great
|
1040
|
+
And yet Thou knowest well that I have always sought
|
1041
|
+
With longing heart, Thyself; on Thee alone I wait
|
1042
|
+
When my young heart first felt the fire of love burn bright,
|
1043
|
+
Thou cam'st, O Christ! that fire to Thee alone to take;
|
1044
|
+
Naught could content my soul but Thee, my one Delight; --
|
1045
|
+
The Infinite alone my burning thirst could slake.
|
1046
|
+
Like some wee lamb afar from its safe sheltering fold,
|
1047
|
+
Gayly I played, and nothing knew of dangers drear.
|
1048
|
+
Shepherdess, Queen of Heaven! thy mother-love untold,
|
1049
|
+
Thy mother-watchfulness, drew me thy heart anear.
|
1050
|
+
So, playing on the brink of pitfalls dread and deep,
|
1051
|
+
Afar I saw the hill of Carmel beckon me;
|
1052
|
+
And I divined that they who climb its summits steep,
|
1053
|
+
Shall learn of love, to fly to heaven's eternity.
|
1054
|
+
An angel's purity, dear Lord, attracts Thy heart,
|
1055
|
+
An angel white as snow, in heaven's celestial mirth.
|
1056
|
+
Dost thou not also love a lily kept apart
|
1057
|
+
For Thee, from mire and taint; as white as snow, on earth?
|
1058
|
+
If he, within Thy sight, exults all dazzling pure,
|
1059
|
+
In brilliant stainless robes, whose lustre blinds our gaze,
|
1060
|
+
Hast Thou not kept my robe as safe, as white, as sure?
|
1061
|
+
My virgin heart has been the treasure of my days.
|
1062
|
+
Jesus, when Thou didst leave Thy Mother's fond embrace,
|
1063
|
+
Let go her hand;
|
1064
|
+
And first, on our hard earth, Thy little foot didst place,
|
1065
|
+
And trembling stand;
|
1066
|
+
Within Thy pathway, then fresh rose-leaves would I spread, --
|
1067
|
+
Their Maker's dower, --
|
1068
|
+
That so Thy tiny feet might very softly tread
|
1069
|
+
Upon a flower.
|
1070
|
+
These scattered rose-leaves form true image of a soul,
|
1071
|
+
O Child most dear!
|
1072
|
+
That longs to immolate itself, complete and whole,
|
1073
|
+
Each moment here.
|
1074
|
+
On Thy blest altars, Lord, fresh roses fain would shine,
|
1075
|
+
Radiant, near Thee;
|
1076
|
+
They gladly give themselves. Another dream is mine, --
|
1077
|
+
To fade for Thee!
|
1078
|
+
How gaily decks Thy feasts, dear Child, a rose newblown,
|
1079
|
+
Fragrant and fair!
|
1080
|
+
But withered roses are forgot, -- the wild winds' own, --
|
1081
|
+
Cast anywhere.
|
1082
|
+
Their scattered leaves seek now no earthly joy or pelf;
|
1083
|
+
For self, no gain.
|
1084
|
+
Ah, little Jesus! so, I give Thee all! Of self,
|
1085
|
+
Let naught remain.
|
1086
|
+
These roses trampled lie beneath the passer's tread,
|
1087
|
+
Unmarked, unknown.
|
1088
|
+
I comprehend their lot; -- these leaves, though pale and dead,
|
1089
|
+
Are still Thine own.
|
1090
|
+
For Thee they die; as I my time, my life, my all
|
1091
|
+
Have spent for Thee.
|
1092
|
+
Men think a fading rose am I, whose leaves must fall
|
1093
|
+
At death's decree.
|
1094
|
+
For Thee I die, for Thee, Jesus, Thou Fairest Fair! --
|
1095
|
+
Joy beyond telling! --
|
1096
|
+
Thus, fading, would I prove my love beyond compare,
|
1097
|
+
All bliss excelling.
|
1098
|
+
Beneath Thy feet, Thy way to smooth, through life's long night,
|
1099
|
+
My heart would lie;
|
1100
|
+
And softening Thy hard path up Calvary's awful height,
|
1101
|
+
I thus would die.
|
1102
|
+
I saw upon this earth
|
1103
|
+
A marvelous tree arise;
|
1104
|
+
Its vigorous root had birth,
|
1105
|
+
O wonder! in the skies.
|
1106
|
+
Never, beneath its shade,
|
1107
|
+
Can aught disturb or wound;
|
1108
|
+
There tempests are allayed,
|
1109
|
+
There perfect rest is found
|
1110
|
+
And love men call this tree,
|
1111
|
+
From heaven's high portals sent;
|
1112
|
+
Its fruit, how fair to see!
|
1113
|
+
Is named abandonment.
|
1114
|
+
What banquet here doth greet
|
1115
|
+
Each reverent, hungry guest!
|
1116
|
+
How, by its odors sweet,
|
1117
|
+
The spirit is refreshed!
|
1118
|
+
If we its fruit but touch,
|
1119
|
+
Joy seems on us to pour.
|
1120
|
+
Oh, taste, -- for never such
|
1121
|
+
A feast was yours before.
|
1122
|
+
In this tumultuous world
|
1123
|
+
It brings us perfect peace;
|
1124
|
+
Though storms be round us hurled,
|
1125
|
+
Its quiet shall not cease.
|
1126
|
+
Abandonment gives rest
|
1127
|
+
In Thee, O Jesus Christ!
|
1128
|
+
Here is the food most blest
|
1129
|
+
That has Thy saints sufficed.
|
1130
|
+
Spouse of my soul, draw nigher!
|
1131
|
+
I give my all to Thee.
|
1132
|
+
What more can I desire
|
1133
|
+
Than Thy sweet Face to see?
|
1134
|
+
Naught can I do but smile,
|
1135
|
+
Safe folded to Thy breast.
|
1136
|
+
They who have known no guile
|
1137
|
+
Find there most perfect rest.
|
1138
|
+
As looks the floweret small
|
1139
|
+
Up to the glorious sun,
|
1140
|
+
So I, though least of all,
|
1141
|
+
Seek my Beloved One.
|
1142
|
+
King Whom I love the most!
|
1143
|
+
The star I always see
|
1144
|
+
Is Thy White Sacred Host,
|
1145
|
+
Little and low like me;
|
1146
|
+
And its celestial power,
|
1147
|
+
Down from Thy altar sent,
|
1148
|
+
Wakes in my heart that flower, --
|
1149
|
+
Perfect abandonment.
|
1150
|
+
All creatures here below,
|
1151
|
+
At times, they weary me;
|
1152
|
+
And willingly I go,
|
1153
|
+
With God alone to be.
|
1154
|
+
And if, sometimes, dear Lord,
|
1155
|
+
Of me Thou weariest,
|
1156
|
+
I wait upon Thy word;
|
1157
|
+
Thy holy will is best.
|
1158
|
+
Smiling, I wait in peace,
|
1159
|
+
Till Thou return to me;
|
1160
|
+
And never shall they cease, --
|
1161
|
+
My songs of love for Thee.
|
1162
|
+
All pain I now despise,
|
1163
|
+
Naught can disquiet me;
|
1164
|
+
Swifter than eagle flies,
|
1165
|
+
My spirit flies to Thee.
|
1166
|
+
Beyond the gloomy cloud,
|
1167
|
+
Ever the skies are fair,
|
1168
|
+
And angels sing aloud,
|
1169
|
+
And God is reigning there.
|
1170
|
+
And yet without a tear
|
1171
|
+
I wait that bliss above,
|
1172
|
+
Who in the Host have here
|
1173
|
+
The perfect fruit of love.
|
1174
|
+
My sweetest Jesus! on Thy Mother's breast
|
1175
|
+
Thy little Face is radiant with love;
|
1176
|
+
Deign to reveal to me the mystery blest
|
1177
|
+
That drew Thee down to exile from above.
|
1178
|
+
Let me hide with Thee neath her veil of snow,
|
1179
|
+
That now conceals Thee from all human sight.
|
1180
|
+
Alone with Thee, bright Morning Star, I'll know
|
1181
|
+
On earth a foretaste of heaven's deep delight.
|
1182
|
+
When dawn awakens in the far-off cast,
|
1183
|
+
And first the sunbeams strike athwart the skies,
|
1184
|
+
Looks for a precious balm -- its daily feast --
|
1185
|
+
The unfolding floweret with expectant eyes.
|
1186
|
+
Those spotless pearls of clear translucent dew
|
1187
|
+
Are full of some mysterious vital power;
|
1188
|
+
They form the sap that ever doth renew
|
1189
|
+
And open the petals of the half-blown flower.
|
1190
|
+
Thou art the Flower with petals still unclosed;
|
1191
|
+
I gaze upon Thy beauty undefiled.
|
1192
|
+
Thou art the Rose of Sharon long foretold,
|
1193
|
+
Still in Thy glorious bud, Thou heavenly Child!
|
1194
|
+
Thy dearest Mother's arms, so pure and white,
|
1195
|
+
Form for Thee now a royal cradle-throne;
|
1196
|
+
Thy morning sun is Mary's bosom bright,
|
1197
|
+
Thy sunlit dew her virginal milk, my Own!
|
1198
|
+
Ah, little Brother, shielded safe from harms,
|
1199
|
+
In Thy deep eyes Thy future clear I see, --
|
1200
|
+
Soon Thou wilt leave for us Thy Mother's arms;
|
1201
|
+
E'en now to suffer, Love is urging Thee.
|
1202
|
+
And round Thy very Cross, Thou fading Flower,
|
1203
|
+
Still clings the fragrance of Thy cradle-throne;
|
1204
|
+
I recognize the pearls of Thy first hour:
|
1205
|
+
This Blood drew life from Mary's milk, my Own.
|
1206
|
+
Those pearly dews on all our altars rest;
|
1207
|
+
The angels fain would slake their thirst thereby,
|
1208
|
+
Offering to God these words, forever blest:
|
1209
|
+
"Behold the Lamb " -- St. John's adoring cry.
|
1210
|
+
Yes, see the Word, made Bread for famished men,
|
1211
|
+
The Eternal Priest, the Lamb on altar-throne!
|
1212
|
+
Since God's own Son is Mary's Son, all, then,
|
1213
|
+
This Bread drew life from Mary's milk, my Own!
|
1214
|
+
On love divine, on joy, on glory's light,
|
1215
|
+
The seraphs feast with rapture ever new;
|
1216
|
+
I, a frail child, in the ciborium bright
|
1217
|
+
See but a milk-white Host, like pearly dew.
|
1218
|
+
And since tis milk that suits with childhood most,
|
1219
|
+
And Thou art Love Itself upon Thy throne,
|
1220
|
+
So, tender Love, in my white daily Host
|
1221
|
+
I see Thy Mother's virginal milk, my Own!
|
1222
|
+
O Mother! thou my heart's desire
|
1223
|
+
Hast granted now; so hear my cry
|
1224
|
+
Of gratitude and love like fire
|
1225
|
+
Thy child uplifts to thee on high.
|
1226
|
+
By love for God and all mankind,
|
1227
|
+
By bonds of prayer and earnest will,
|
1228
|
+
Thou deignest now my soul to bind
|
1229
|
+
To those who Christ's last wish fulfil.
|
1230
|
+
Tis theirs through pagan lands to go,
|
1231
|
+
And raise the cross of Christ on high;
|
1232
|
+
Tis mine, within the cloister low,
|
1233
|
+
His slightest will to satisfy.
|
1234
|
+
I long for suffering; and the cross
|
1235
|
+
With strong desire my heart doth crave.
|
1236
|
+
A thousand deaths were gain, not loss,
|
1237
|
+
If but one soul I help to save!
|
1238
|
+
For this to Carmel's hill I've come, --
|
1239
|
+
Myself to immolate for men.
|
1240
|
+
Christ brought a fire from Heaven's high dome
|
1241
|
+
I fain would light in hearts again.
|
1242
|
+
Where Afric suns the desert bake,
|
1243
|
+
Where Asian Su-tchen fronts the east,
|
1244
|
+
My Mother, I can help to make
|
1245
|
+
Thy virginal name revered and blest.
|
1246
|
+
My prayers shall travel every day,
|
1247
|
+
As fast as mighty river rolls;
|
1248
|
+
My brothers, missioned far away,
|
1249
|
+
Helped here by me, shall conquer souls;
|
1250
|
+
And so the pure baptismal stream
|
1251
|
+
Shall make of many a Pagan child
|
1252
|
+
A temple, where God's grace shall beam,
|
1253
|
+
And God with man be reconciled.
|
1254
|
+
Ah! might I see dear children fill
|
1255
|
+
The heavenly courts where seraphs sing!
|
1256
|
+
Them, by my prayers and God's sweet will,
|
1257
|
+
My brothers shall to Jesus bring.
|
1258
|
+
The palm my spirit longs to gain,
|
1259
|
+
My brother's hand in mine shall place.
|
1260
|
+
A martyr's sister! Any pain
|
1261
|
+
Would seem delight to win that grace.
|
1262
|
+
The fruit of our apostolate
|
1263
|
+
Our longing eyes at last shall see,
|
1264
|
+
When, pressing on through heaven's gate,
|
1265
|
+
Our souls shall meet the saved and Thee.
|
1266
|
+
Be theirs the honor of the fight,
|
1267
|
+
My priestly brothers far away!
|
1268
|
+
Be mine, reflection of their light,
|
1269
|
+
At last, in heaven's eternal day!
|
1270
|
+
Could I some childlike spirit see,
|
1271
|
+
Resembling Christ, my little Child,
|
1272
|
+
Then she with Him should cradled be
|
1273
|
+
Upon my bosom undefiled.
|
1274
|
+
Angelic spirits, hovering near,
|
1275
|
+
Would envy such celestial bliss;
|
1276
|
+
Yet Thee I chose, so come then, dear!
|
1277
|
+
My Child awaits thy timid kiss.
|
1278
|
+
Oh, Jesus' sister thou shalt be, --
|
1279
|
+
I choose thee for "this better part."
|
1280
|
+
Wilt gladly bear Him company?
|
1281
|
+
Then shalt thou rest upon my heart.
|
1282
|
+
And I will shield thee neath my veil,
|
1283
|
+
Near Bethlehem's Babe so fair and bright.
|
1284
|
+
Oh, thou shalt think the stars are pale,
|
1285
|
+
Compared with this divine delight.
|
1286
|
+
But would'st forever stay with me,
|
1287
|
+
And with this Christ-Child, in my care?
|
1288
|
+
Then thou all fitly dressed must be
|
1289
|
+
In childhood's graces heavenly fair.
|
1290
|
+
Upon thy brow mine eyes must trace
|
1291
|
+
Thy light of purity divine;
|
1292
|
+
Simplicity's most tender grace
|
1293
|
+
Through all things in thy life must shine.
|
1294
|
+
God, Three in One, and One in Three,
|
1295
|
+
By angels tremblingly adored,
|
1296
|
+
Asks gently to be called by thee
|
1297
|
+
"Flower of the Fields," that simple word.
|
1298
|
+
As fair white daisies lift their face
|
1299
|
+
With steadfast meekness to the skies,
|
1300
|
+
So thou must look with kindred grace
|
1301
|
+
Within the Christ-Child's holy eyes.
|
1302
|
+
To worldly men no charm appears
|
1303
|
+
In this meek King Who wears no crown.
|
1304
|
+
Thou oft shalt see the burning tears
|
1305
|
+
From Jesus' eyes fail swiftly down.
|
1306
|
+
Then thine own pains thou must forget,
|
1307
|
+
To calm and soothe our Blessed One;
|
1308
|
+
Then thou must prize the vows that set
|
1309
|
+
Thy place so close to Him alone.
|
1310
|
+
Our God, Whose mighty power controls
|
1311
|
+
Fury of flood and force of flame,
|
1312
|
+
Now lieth low, to save men's souls,
|
1313
|
+
A Child enclothed in our shame.
|
1314
|
+
The Word, the Father's Word on high,
|
1315
|
+
My little Lamb, thy Brother dear,
|
1316
|
+
Now speaks no word, He breathes no sigh;
|
1317
|
+
Silent and dumb He lieth here.
|
1318
|
+
That silence forms the mystic sign
|
1319
|
+
Of love beyond all utterance deep;
|
1320
|
+
Its meaning thou must well divine
|
1321
|
+
And day by day like silence keep.
|
1322
|
+
And if, at times, His eyelids close,
|
1323
|
+
Rest then near Him in perfect peace;
|
1324
|
+
His Sacred Heart no slumber knows,
|
1325
|
+
His love for thee shall never cease.
|
1326
|
+
Nor think, dear Mary, anxiously,
|
1327
|
+
About the task of every day;
|
1328
|
+
To love thy blessed work shall be,
|
1329
|
+
Its holy crown be thine for aye.
|
1330
|
+
Lo! if some voice reproaches thee
|
1331
|
+
Because no great things thou hast done,
|
1332
|
+
Oh, make this answer steadfastly:
|
1333
|
+
"But I Ioved much!" So heaven is won.
|
1334
|
+
Our Lord Himself thy crown shall weave;
|
1335
|
+
And if thou seek His love alone,
|
1336
|
+
If all for Him thou gladly leave,
|
1337
|
+
Near His for aye shall be thy throne.
|
1338
|
+
When life's long vigil is all past,
|
1339
|
+
Heav'n's dawn shall break in joy for thee;
|
1340
|
+
And face to face, at last, at last,
|
1341
|
+
The Vision of God shall welcome thee!
|
1342
|
+
Fain would I sing, O Mother blest! the reasons why I love thee;
|
1343
|
+
Why e'en to name thy name, with joy, O Mary! fills my heart;
|
1344
|
+
And why the glorious thoughts of thee, in greatness far above me,
|
1345
|
+
Inspire no fear within my soul, so dear and sweet thou art.
|
1346
|
+
Yet, if I were to see thee now, in majesty stupendous,
|
1347
|
+
Surpassing all the crowned saints in highest heaven above,
|
1348
|
+
Scarce could I dream I am thy child, (O truth sublime, tremendous!),
|
1349
|
+
For I should think myself to be unworthy of thy love.
|
1350
|
+
The mother, who desires to be her child's best earthly treasure,
|
1351
|
+
Must ever share its grief with it, must understand its pain.
|
1352
|
+
Queen of my heart! how many years, thy sorrows had no measure;
|
1353
|
+
What bitter tears thine eyes have shed, my worthless heart to gain!
|
1354
|
+
So, musing on thy earthly life, in Scripture's sacred story,
|
1355
|
+
I dare to look upon thy face, and unto thee draw nigh;
|
1356
|
+
For when I see thee suffering, -- concealed thy marvelous glory --
|
1357
|
+
It is not hard, then, to believe thy little child am 1.
|
1358
|
+
When Gabriel came from heaven's courts, to ask thee to be mother
|
1359
|
+
Of God Who reigns omnipotent to all eternity,
|
1360
|
+
I see thee, Mary! then prefer to that great grace, another, --
|
1361
|
+
Through all thy consecrated life a virgin pure to be.
|
1362
|
+
And so I now can comprehend, immaculate white maiden!
|
1363
|
+
Why thou wast dearer unto God than heaven itself could be;
|
1364
|
+
And how thy humble, human frame, with mortal weakness laden,
|
1365
|
+
Could yet contain the Eternal Word, Love's vast unbounded Sea.
|
1366
|
+
I love thee when I hear thee call thyself the handmaid only
|
1367
|
+
Of God, Whom thou didst win to earth by thy humility;
|
1368
|
+
All-powerful it made thee then, above all women, lonely,
|
1369
|
+
And drew, into thy bosom chaste, the Blessed Trinity,
|
1370
|
+
The Holy Spirit, Love Divine, o'ershadowed thee, O Mother!
|
1371
|
+
And God the Father's only Son incarnate was in thee.
|
1372
|
+
How many sinful, sorrowing souls shall dare to call Him -- Brother!
|
1373
|
+
For He shall be called: Jesus, thy first-born, eternally.
|
1374
|
+
And oh! despite my frailties, dear Mary! well thou knowest
|
1375
|
+
That I at times, like thee, possess the Almighty in my breast.
|
1376
|
+
Shall I not tremble at the gift, O God! that Thou bestowest?
|
1377
|
+
A mother's treasure is her child's: -- I still my fears to rest.
|
1378
|
+
For I, O Mary, am thy child! O Mother dear and tender.
|
1379
|
+
Shall not thy virtues and thy love plead now with God for me?
|
1380
|
+
Then, when the pure white sacred Host, in all its veiled splendor,
|
1381
|
+
Visits my heart, thy spotless Lamb will think He comes to thee.
|
1382
|
+
Oh, thou dost help me to believe that e'en for us, frail mortals,
|
1383
|
+
Tis not impossible to walk where we thy footsteps see;
|
1384
|
+
The narrow road before us now, thou lightest to heaven's portals.
|
1385
|
+
Who lowliest virtues here below didst practise perfectly.
|
1386
|
+
Near thee, O Mother! I would stay, little, unknown and lowly;
|
1387
|
+
Of earthly glory, oh! how plain I see the vanity!
|
1388
|
+
In the house of St. Elizabeth, thy cousin dear and holy,
|
1389
|
+
I learn of thee to practise well most ardent charity.
|
1390
|
+
There, too, I listen on my knees, great Queen of all the Angels!
|
1391
|
+
To that sweet canticle that flows in rapture from thy soul;
|
1392
|
+
So dost thou teach me how to sing like heavenly, glad evangels
|
1393
|
+
And glorify my Jesus, Who alone can make me whole.
|
1394
|
+
Thy burning words of love divine are mystic flowers victorious,
|
1395
|
+
Whose fragrance shall embalm the long, long, ages yet to be.
|
1396
|
+
In thee, indeed, the Almighty King hath done great things and glorious!
|
1397
|
+
I meditate upon them now, and bless my God in thee.
|
1398
|
+
When good St. Joseph did not know the great archangel's story,
|
1399
|
+
Which thou wouldst fain conceal from men in thy humility,
|
1400
|
+
O tabernacle of the Lord! thou didst not tell thy glory,
|
1401
|
+
But veiled the Saviour's presence in profoundest secrecy,
|
1402
|
+
Thy silence, how I love it now, so eloquent, so moving!
|
1403
|
+
For me it is a concert sweet, of melody sublime;
|
1404
|
+
I learn thereby the grandeur of a soul that God is proving,
|
1405
|
+
That only looks for help from Him and in His chosen time.
|
1406
|
+
Then later still, O Joseph! and O Mary! I behold you
|
1407
|
+
Repulsed in little Bethlehem by all the dwellers there;
|
1408
|
+
From door to door you vainly went, for all the people told you
|
1409
|
+
They had no place to shelter you, no time to give you care.
|
1410
|
+
Their rooms were for the great alone; and in a stable dreary
|
1411
|
+
The Queen of Heaven gave birth to Him Who made both heaven and earth.
|
1412
|
+
O Mother of my Saviour! then, thou wast not sad nor weary;
|
1413
|
+
In that poor shed how grand thou wert! how painless was that Birth!
|
1414
|
+
And there when, wrapped in swaddling bands, I see the King Eternal, --
|
1415
|
+
When of the Word divine, supreme, the feeble cry I hear --
|
1416
|
+
O Mary, can I envy e'en the angels' joy supernal?
|
1417
|
+
The Master Whom they worship is My little Brother dear.
|
1418
|
+
What praises must I give to thee, who, in earth's gloomy prison,
|
1419
|
+
Brought forth this lovely heaven-sent Flower, before our eyes to bloom!
|
1420
|
+
Though unto shepherds and wise men a star had grandly risen,
|
1421
|
+
These things were kept within thy heart as in some secret room.
|
1422
|
+
I love thee when I see thee next, like other Hebrew women,
|
1423
|
+
To Israel's temple turn thy steps when dawned the fortieth day;
|
1424
|
+
I love thee yielding humbly up, to aged, favored Simeon,
|
1425
|
+
The Lord Who should redeem us all when years had fled away.
|
1426
|
+
And first my happy smiles awake, to hear his glorious singing, --
|
1427
|
+
That "Nunc Dimittis" that shall ring till Time itself shall die;
|
1428
|
+
But soon those joyous notes are changed, and my hot tears are springing; --
|
1429
|
+
"A sword of grief must be thy lot," thus runs his prophecy.
|
1430
|
+
O Queen of all the martyr-host! till thy life here is ended,
|
1431
|
+
That sharp, sharp sword shall pierce thy heart! At once, it pierces sore.
|
1432
|
+
That thy dear Child from Herod's wrath may surely be defended,
|
1433
|
+
I see thee as an exile fled to Egypt's pagan shore.
|
1434
|
+
Beneath thy veil thy Jesus slept, thy peace no fears were daunting,
|
1435
|
+
When Joseph came to bid thee wake, and straightway flee from home;
|
1436
|
+
And then at once I see thee rise, as called by angels chanting,
|
1437
|
+
Content, without a questioning word, in foreign lands to roam.
|
1438
|
+
In Egypt and in poverty, I think I see thee, Mary,
|
1439
|
+
All glad at heart, all radiant, with joy beyond compare.
|
1440
|
+
What matters exile unto thee? Thy true home cannot vary.
|
1441
|
+
Hast thou not Jesus, with thee still? and with Him Heaven is there.
|
1442
|
+
But, oh! in fair Jerusalem, a sorrow, vast, unbounded,
|
1443
|
+
Indeed o'erwhelmed thy mother-heart with grief beyond compare; --
|
1444
|
+
For three days Jesus hid Himself; no word to thee was spoken.
|
1445
|
+
Thou truly wast an exile then, and knew what exiles bear.
|
1446
|
+
And when, at last, thine eyes again were thy Son's face beholding,
|
1447
|
+
And love entranced thee, watching Him among the doctors wise,
|
1448
|
+
"My Child!" thou saidst, "now tell me why didst leave my arms enfolding?
|
1449
|
+
Didst Thou not know we sought for Thee with tear-endimmed eyes?
|
1450
|
+
The Child-God answered to thee then, to thy sweet, patient wooing,
|
1451
|
+
O Mother whom He loved so well, whose heart was well-nigh broken!
|
1452
|
+
"How is it that you sought for Me? Wist not I must be doing
|
1453
|
+
My Father's work?" Oh, who shall sound the depths those words betoken?
|
1454
|
+
But next the Gospel tells me that, in His hidden mission,
|
1455
|
+
Subject to Joseph and to thee was Christ, the Holy Boy;
|
1456
|
+
And then my heart reveals to me how true was His submission,
|
1457
|
+
And how beyond all words to tell, thy daily, perfect joy.
|
1458
|
+
And now the temple's mystery I understand, dear Mother!
|
1459
|
+
The answer, and the tone of voice, of Christ, my King adored.
|
1460
|
+
Twas meant the pattern thou shouldst be, thereafter to all other
|
1461
|
+
Tried souls who seek, in Faith's dark night the coming of the Lord.
|
1462
|
+
Since Heaven's high King has willed it so His Mother and His dearest
|
1463
|
+
Should know the anguish of that night the torn heart's deepest woe,
|
1464
|
+
Then are notthose, who suffer thus, to Mary's heart the nearest?
|
1465
|
+
And is not love in suffering God's highest gift below?
|
1466
|
+
All, all that He has granted me, oh! tell Him He may take it!
|
1467
|
+
Tell Him, dear Mother! He may do whate'er He please with me;
|
1468
|
+
That He may bruise my heart to-day, and make it sore, and break it,
|
1469
|
+
So only through Eternity my eyes His Face may see!
|
1470
|
+
I know, indeed, at Nazareth, O Virgin rich in graces!
|
1471
|
+
As the lowly live, so thou didst live, and sought no better things;
|
1472
|
+
Of ecstasies and wonders there, our eyes can find no traces,
|
1473
|
+
O thou who daily dwelt beside the incarnate King of Kings!
|
1474
|
+
On earth, we know, is very great the number of the lowly;
|
1475
|
+
With neither fear nor trembling now we dare to look on thee.
|
1476
|
+
By common lot and humble path, our Mother dear and holy,
|
1477
|
+
Thou wast content to walk to heaven, and thus our guide to be.
|
1478
|
+
Through all my weary exile here, I fain would walk beside thee.
|
1479
|
+
O my pure and precious Mother! be near to me each day!
|
1480
|
+
Thy beauty thrills my heart with joy. Deign now to guard and guide me!
|
1481
|
+
What depths of love are in thy heart for me thy child, alway!
|
1482
|
+
Before thy kind maternal glance, my many fears are banished;
|
1483
|
+
Thou teachest me to gently weep, and then to sing for joy;
|
1484
|
+
Thou dost not scorn our happy days, nor hast thou wholly vanished;
|
1485
|
+
Thou smilest on us tenderly, as once upon thy Boy!
|
1486
|
+
When bride and groom at Cana's feast knew well the wine was failing,
|
1487
|
+
And knew not whence to bring supply, their need thine eyes perceived,
|
1488
|
+
To Christ, the Master, thou didst speak, who knew His power availing,
|
1489
|
+
The Maker of created things, in Whom thy soul believed.
|
1490
|
+
But first He seemed thy mother-heart's kind prayer to be denying.
|
1491
|
+
"What matters this, O woman! unto Me and thee?" said He.
|
1492
|
+
But "Mother," in His soul's deep depths, His filial heart was crying;
|
1493
|
+
And that first miracle He wrought, Mother, lie wrought for thee.
|
1494
|
+
One day, while sinners crowded round to hear what He was saying,
|
1495
|
+
In His desire to save their souls and them to heaven beguile,
|
1496
|
+
Lo! thou wast there amid the throng, and thou wast meekly praying
|
1497
|
+
That they would let thee nearer come, and speak with Him awhile.
|
1498
|
+
And then thy Son spoke out this word mysterious like that other.
|
1499
|
+
To show us thus His marvelous love for all the souls of men; --
|
1500
|
+
He said: "Who is My brother, and My sister, and My Mother?
|
1501
|
+
Tis he who does My Father's will!" The Father's will, again!
|
1502
|
+
O Virgin, pure, immaculate! O Mother, tenderest, dearest!
|
1503
|
+
Hearing these words that Jesus spake, this time thou wast not grieved.
|
1504
|
+
No! thy great heart it leaped for joy, O thou His friend the nearest!
|
1505
|
+
Because our longing souls likewise to kinship He received.
|
1506
|
+
Oh, how thy heart is glad to know His love to us is given, --
|
1507
|
+
The treasure, that cannot be weighed, of His Divinity!
|
1508
|
+
Who shall not love thee well to-day, and bless thee in high heaven,
|
1509
|
+
Seeing thy tender care for us, thy generosity!
|
1510
|
+
For truly thou dost love us all as thy Child Jesus loves us;
|
1511
|
+
And for our sake thou didst consent to stay when He had risen.
|
1512
|
+
Since, if we love, then all to give, e'en self, both tries and proves us,
|
1513
|
+
So thou, to prove thy love, didst stay in earth's dark, dreary prison.
|
1514
|
+
Thy love for souls our Saviour knew, that love His heart had sounded;
|
1515
|
+
He left thee to us when He went to God's right hand on high.
|
1516
|
+
Refuge of sinners! on thy prayers how many hopes are grounded!
|
1517
|
+
Christ gave thee to us from His cross; for us He hears thy cry.
|
1518
|
+
For thou -- His Mother -- there didst stand, that awful day, on calvary;
|
1519
|
+
As a priest before God's altar, at the cross so thou didst stand.
|
1520
|
+
And to appease the Father's wrath, didst offer up, O Mary!
|
1521
|
+
Thy Jesus, our Emmanuel, at God's supreme command.
|
1522
|
+
A prophet had foretold this thing, O Mother brokenhearted!
|
1523
|
+
"Is any sorrow like to thine?" Thy grief no words can say!
|
1524
|
+
Blest Queen of martyrs! left on earth when Jesus had departed!
|
1525
|
+
Twas thy heart's blood for us was given on that unequalled day.
|
1526
|
+
Henceforth thy shelter in thy woe was St. John's humble dwelling;
|
1527
|
+
The son of Zebedee replaced the Son Whom heaven adored.
|
1528
|
+
Naught else the Gospels tell us of thy life, in grace excelling;
|
1529
|
+
It is the last they say of thee, sweet Mother of my Lord!
|
1530
|
+
But that deep silence, oh! I think it means that, up in glory,
|
1531
|
+
When time is past, and into heaven thy children safe are come,
|
1532
|
+
The Eternal Word, my Mother dear, Himself will tell thy story,
|
1533
|
+
To charm our souls, thy children's souls, in our eternal home.
|
1534
|
+
Soon I shall hear that harmony, that blissful, wondrous singing;
|
1535
|
+
Soon, soon, to heaven that waits for us, my soul shall swiftly fly.
|
1536
|
+
O Thou who cam'st to smile on me at dawn of life's beginning!
|
1537
|
+
Come once again to smile on me. . . . Mother! the night is nigh.
|
1538
|
+
I fear no more thy majesty, so far, so far above me,
|
1539
|
+
For, I have suffered sore with thee; now hear my heart's deep cry!
|
1540
|
+
Oh! let me tell thee face to face, dear Virgin! how I love thee;
|
1541
|
+
And say to thee forevermore: thy little child am I.
|
1542
|
+
O glorious guardian of my frame!
|
1543
|
+
In heaven's high courts thou shinest bright,
|
1544
|
+
As some most pure and holy flame,
|
1545
|
+
Before the Lord of endless light.
|
1546
|
+
Yet for my sake thou com'st to earth,
|
1547
|
+
To be my brother, Angel dear:
|
1548
|
+
My friend and keeper from my birth,
|
1549
|
+
By day and night to me most near.
|
1550
|
+
Knowing how weak a child am I,
|
1551
|
+
By thy strong hand thou guidest me;
|
1552
|
+
The stones that in my pathway lie,
|
1553
|
+
I see thee move them carefully.
|
1554
|
+
Ever thy heavenly tones invite
|
1555
|
+
My soul to look to God alone;
|
1556
|
+
And ever grows thy face more bright,
|
1557
|
+
When I more meek and kind have grown.
|
1558
|
+
O thou who speedest through all space
|
1559
|
+
More swiftly than the lightnings fly!
|
1560
|
+
Go very often, in my place,
|
1561
|
+
To those I love most tenderly.
|
1562
|
+
With thy soft touch, oh! dry their tears;
|
1563
|
+
Tell them the cross is sweet to bear;
|
1564
|
+
Speak my name softly in their ears,
|
1565
|
+
And Jesu's name, supremely fair.
|
1566
|
+
Through all my life, though brief it be,
|
1567
|
+
I fain would succor souls from sin.
|
1568
|
+
Dear Angel, sent from heaven to me,
|
1569
|
+
Kindle thy zeal my heart within!
|
1570
|
+
Naught but my holy poverty,
|
1571
|
+
And daily cross to give have I;
|
1572
|
+
O join them to thine ecstasy,
|
1573
|
+
And offer them to God on high.
|
1574
|
+
Thine are heaven's glory and delight,
|
1575
|
+
The riches of the King of kings;
|
1576
|
+
The Host in our ciboriums bright
|
1577
|
+
Is mine, and all the wealth pain brings.
|
1578
|
+
So with the Cross, and with the Host,
|
1579
|
+
And with thine aid, dear Angel Friend,
|
1580
|
+
I wait in peace, on time's dark coast,
|
1581
|
+
Heaven's happiness that knows no end.
|
1582
|
+
O happy little ones! with what sweet tenderness
|
1583
|
+
The King of Heaven
|
1584
|
+
Blessed you, when here below! How often His caress
|
1585
|
+
To you was given!
|
1586
|
+
You were the type of all the Innocents to come.
|
1587
|
+
In dreams I know
|
1588
|
+
The boundless joy the King gives you in heaven's high home,
|
1589
|
+
He loves you so!
|
1590
|
+
Before earth's bitter griefs, dear lilies of the Lord,
|
1591
|
+
Had dimmed your eyes,
|
1592
|
+
You had beheld the gifts, -- how very beauteous! -- stored
|
1593
|
+
In Paradise.
|
1594
|
+
O fragrant buds, soon plucked at day's sweet dawning bright,
|
1595
|
+
By God's own hand;
|
1596
|
+
His Sacred Heart is now the Sun by Whose soft light
|
1597
|
+
Those buds expand!
|
1598
|
+
What perfect care and oh! what ceaseless watchfulness,
|
1599
|
+
What love alway,
|
1600
|
+
Lavishes on you here our Mother Church, to bless
|
1601
|
+
Souls of a day!
|
1602
|
+
In her maternal arms, you were in holy rite
|
1603
|
+
To Jesus given;
|
1604
|
+
And through eternity, you will be the delight
|
1605
|
+
Of His fair Heaven.
|
1606
|
+
Dear little ones! you join the virginal court, in state
|
1607
|
+
Following the Lamb;
|
1608
|
+
And you the sweet new song shall sing (O privilege great!)
|
1609
|
+
Unto His Name.
|
1610
|
+
You to the conqueror's palm, without the deadly fight,
|
1611
|
+
Have safely come.
|
1612
|
+
O charming victors: Christ from you has taken all blight,
|
1613
|
+
And brought you home.
|
1614
|
+
It needs no precious stones, all luminous and gay,
|
1615
|
+
To deck your hair;
|
1616
|
+
The lustre of your curls, sweet Innocents, to-day,
|
1617
|
+
Makes Heaven more fair.
|
1618
|
+
To you grand martyrs lend their palms; they give their crowns,
|
1619
|
+
Your brows to grace;
|
1620
|
+
Upon their knees you find, dear children, now your thrones,
|
1621
|
+
In their embrace.
|
1622
|
+
In splendid courts on high, with tiny cherub-throngs
|
1623
|
+
Gayly you play:
|
1624
|
+
Beloved baby-band! your childish sports and songs
|
1625
|
+
Charm heaven alway.
|
1626
|
+
God tells you how He makes the birds, the flowers, the snow,
|
1627
|
+
The sunlight clear;
|
1628
|
+
No genius here below knows half the things you know,
|
1629
|
+
O children, dear!
|
1630
|
+
From Heaven's azure vault you tear the veils that make
|
1631
|
+
Such mystery:
|
1632
|
+
The glowing myriad stars in your wee hands you take,
|
1633
|
+
Your toys to be.
|
1634
|
+
Running Heaven's highways, there, your tiny footsteps leave
|
1635
|
+
A silvery trace;
|
1636
|
+
In the bright Milky Way, I think I see, at eve,
|
1637
|
+
Each shining face.
|
1638
|
+
To Mary's welcoming arms, when your gay games are done,
|
1639
|
+
How swift you hie!
|
1640
|
+
Hiding beneath her veil your heads like Christ Her Son
|
1641
|
+
In sleep you lie.
|
1642
|
+
Heaven's darling little pets! audacity like this
|
1643
|
+
Delights our Lord;
|
1644
|
+
And you can even dare caress and gently kiss
|
1645
|
+
His Face adored.
|
1646
|
+
That Blessed Lord has deigned you for my pattern here
|
1647
|
+
To give to me;
|
1648
|
+
O Holy Innocents, like you so pure and dear
|
1649
|
+
I strive to be.
|
1650
|
+
Pray, pray, that I may gain all childhood's graces best, --
|
1651
|
+
Your candor true,
|
1652
|
+
Your sweet abandonment, your innocence so blest,
|
1653
|
+
That charm my view!
|
1654
|
+
Thou, of my exiled soul, O Lord! full well dost know
|
1655
|
+
The ardent prayer.
|
1656
|
+
Fair Lily of the Vale, on Thee I would bestow Earth's lilies fair;
|
1657
|
+
These buds of spring I love, and long to find for Thee,
|
1658
|
+
Thou King adored!
|
1659
|
+
Grant the baptismal grace to each one tenderly;
|
1660
|
+
Then cull them, Lord!
|
1661
|
+
My pains and my joys I offer with delight, --
|
1662
|
+
For children's souls:
|
1663
|
+
Thus to augment Thy ranks of Innocents most white,
|
1664
|
+
The while time rolls;
|
1665
|
+
And, mongst these Innocents, I ask Thee that it place
|
1666
|
+
To me be given.
|
1667
|
+
Grant to me, as to them, Thy kiss, O wondrous grace
|
1668
|
+
Jesus! in Heaven.
|
1669
|
+
Thou glorious Saint of God! in ecstasy I see
|
1670
|
+
The path of shining light thy footsteps left below;
|
1671
|
+
And still I think I hear thy heavenly melody;
|
1672
|
+
Of thy celestial chant e'en here the sounds we know.
|
1673
|
+
Now, of my exiled soul, accept the fervent prayer;
|
1674
|
+
Upon thy virginal heart let my young heart find rest!
|
1675
|
+
Almost unequalled here wast thou, O lily fair,
|
1676
|
+
Immaculately pure, and how divinely blest!
|
1677
|
+
Most chaste white dove of Rome! through all thy life on earth
|
1678
|
+
No other spouse than Christ thy heart desired to find.
|
1679
|
+
He chose thy favored soul, e'en from thy hour of birth,
|
1680
|
+
And made it rich in grace and virtues all combined.
|
1681
|
+
And yet a mortal came, on fire with youth and pride;
|
1682
|
+
He saw how sweet thou wert, thou white celestial flower!
|
1683
|
+
And then, to gain thy love -- to win thee for his bride --
|
1684
|
+
He strove with all his strength, from that momentous hour.
|
1685
|
+
Soon bridal feasts he spread, his palace decked with glory,
|
1686
|
+
Bade minstrels play their best, and songs ring loudly there,
|
1687
|
+
While still thy virginal heart sang soft thy Saviour's story,
|
1688
|
+
Whose echo rose to heaven like incense sweet and rare.
|
1689
|
+
How couldst thou sing, so far from Heaven, thy fatherland,
|
1690
|
+
When seeing near thy side, that mortal bold and frail?
|
1691
|
+
Did not thy heart crave, then, in heaven's high courts to stand,
|
1692
|
+
And dwell, forever safe, with Christ beyond the veil?
|
1693
|
+
But no! thy harp I hear vibrate like seraph's singing,
|
1694
|
+
Harp of thy love, whose sound so softly smote the ear;
|
1695
|
+
These words, to Christ thy Lord, in thy sweet chant were ringing:
|
1696
|
+
"Now keep my young heart pure, O Jesus, Spouse most dear."
|
1697
|
+
Abandonment how true! O wondrous melody!
|
1698
|
+
By that celestial chant thy love now stands revealed --
|
1699
|
+
The love that knows no fear, but sleeps in ecstasy
|
1700
|
+
Upon the Saviour's Heart, from every ill concealed.
|
1701
|
+
In wide blue skies appeared the radiant white star
|
1702
|
+
That came, to lighten up, with meek and timid glow,
|
1703
|
+
The luminous night that shows, unveiled to us afar,
|
1704
|
+
That virginal love, in heaven, which virgin spouses know.
|
1705
|
+
But here, Valerian dreamed of earthly joy and bliss.
|
1706
|
+
Cecilia! thou alone wast his young heart's desire.
|
1707
|
+
Ah, when thy hand he gained, he gained far more than this!
|
1708
|
+
That hand showed him a path to better things, and higher.
|
1709
|
+
"O friend! " to him thou saidst "near me doth watch alway
|
1710
|
+
An angel of the Lord, who keeps me pure as snow,
|
1711
|
+
Who leaves me not alone, neither by night nor day;
|
1712
|
+
E'en in my sleep, his wings protect from harm and woe.
|
1713
|
+
At night, his holy face, with clear and silvery light --
|
1714
|
+
A glory lovelier far than morning sun, -- doth shine.
|
1715
|
+
That face to me appears like some blest image bright,
|
1716
|
+
Transparent, marvelous, of God's own face divine."
|
1717
|
+
Then cried Valerian: "Show me this angel blest,
|
1718
|
+
That I may give my faith to thy firm word, fair maid;
|
1719
|
+
Or else believe that hate for thee will fill my breast,
|
1720
|
+
And thou, before my wrath, shalt shudder sore afraid."
|
1721
|
+
O dove, within the rock of God's strong heart concealed,
|
1722
|
+
No fear hadst thou, that night, of subtlest fowler's snare:
|
1723
|
+
The Face of Jesus, then, Its light to thee revealed;
|
1724
|
+
His sacred gospels lay upon thy bosom fair.
|
1725
|
+
"Valerian!" that word was said with gentlest smile,
|
1726
|
+
"My heavenly guide, who hears, will answer thy request.
|
1727
|
+
Soon thou his face shalt see; his voice shall thee beguile,
|
1728
|
+
For martyrdom to seek, and thus to find thy rest.
|
1729
|
+
But, ere his face thou see, baptismal grace must make
|
1730
|
+
Thy soul as white as snow, that God therein may dwell.
|
1731
|
+
The one true God Himself thy heart His home shall make,
|
1732
|
+
The Spirit give thee life, that thou mayst serve Him well;
|
1733
|
+
The Word, the Father's Son, and Son of Mary chaste,
|
1734
|
+
Must immolate Himself, in His vast love for thee,
|
1735
|
+
Upon His altar throne; and there thou must be placed,
|
1736
|
+
Beside that throne, to feed on Him Who died for thee.
|
1737
|
+
Then shall the seraph bright, thee for his brother, claim,
|
1738
|
+
And, seeing in thy heart the home of God his King,
|
1739
|
+
Thee shall he lift from earth's dark dens of sin and shame;
|
1740
|
+
Thee, to his own abode, that angel then shall bring."
|
1741
|
+
"Ah! in my heart I feel a new fire burn to-night!"
|
1742
|
+
Transformed by God's own grace, the young patrician cried.
|
1743
|
+
Oh! come, within my soul to dwell, Thou Lord of light!
|
1744
|
+
Worthy my love shall be of thee, Cecile, my bride!"
|
1745
|
+
In his baptismal robe, the type of innocence,
|
1746
|
+
Valerian, at last, the angel's face beheld;
|
1747
|
+
In awe he gazed upon that grave magnificence;
|
1748
|
+
That radiant, crown-decked brow his old ambitions quelled.
|
1749
|
+
Fresh roses in his hands did that grand spirit bear,
|
1750
|
+
Pure lilies, dazzling white, to his strong heart he pressed.
|
1751
|
+
In gardens of high heaven had bloomed those blossoms rare,
|
1752
|
+
Beneath the rays of love from their Creator blest.
|
1753
|
+
"O Spouses dear to Heaven! the martyrs' royal rose
|
1754
|
+
Shall crown your brows," exclaimed that angel from on high
|
1755
|
+
"No voice on earth can sing, no mortal tongue disclose,
|
1756
|
+
Its value beyond price, that lasts eternally.
|
1757
|
+
I lose myself in God, His attributes proclaim;
|
1758
|
+
But I cannot, for Him, bear pain, though fain would I!
|
1759
|
+
I cannot shed or tears or blood for His dear name;
|
1760
|
+
To prove my love for Him, I cannot gladly die.
|
1761
|
+
Oh! purity is ours, the angels' special grace, --
|
1762
|
+
Our vast, unbounded joy, that ne'er shall fade away;
|
1763
|
+
But o'er our lofty lot yours hath a loftier place,
|
1764
|
+
For you -- you can be pure, and you can die, to-day'
|
1765
|
+
"Of chaste virginity, you see the emblem here,
|
1766
|
+
In these white lilies sweet, -- fair gift from Christ the Lamb;
|
1767
|
+
The pure white crown He gives, in glory you shall wear;
|
1768
|
+
And you for aye shall chant the new song to His name.
|
1769
|
+
Your union, spotless, chaste, shall win great souls to God --
|
1770
|
+
Souls that no other spouse, than Christ, shall seek on earth;
|
1771
|
+
And near His heavenly throne, when life's hard path is trod,
|
1772
|
+
There you shall see them shine, in saintly joy and mirth."
|
1773
|
+
Cecilia, lend to me thy melody most sweet:
|
1774
|
+
How many souls would I convert to Jesus now.
|
1775
|
+
I fain would die, like thee, to win them to His feet;
|
1776
|
+
For him give all my tears, my blood. Oh, help me thou!
|
1777
|
+
Pray for me that I gain, on this our pilgrim way
|
1778
|
+
Perfect abandonment -- that sweetest fruit of love.
|
1779
|
+
Saint of my heart! oh, soon, bring me to endless day;
|
1780
|
+
Obtain that I may fly, with thee, to heaven above!
|
1781
|
+
Christ is my Love alone, all life is He for me;
|
1782
|
+
He is my one Betrothed, Who charms my dazzled eyes;
|
1783
|
+
E'en now I hear vibrate the solemn harmony
|
1784
|
+
Of His melodious sighs.
|
1785
|
+
With precious stones and gold He decks my flowing hair,
|
1786
|
+
Already on my hand shines bright His nuptial ring;
|
1787
|
+
And many lustrous stars, magnificently fair,
|
1788
|
+
Are love-gifts from my King.
|
1789
|
+
With pearls, all price beyond, has He adorned my hands;
|
1790
|
+
About my neck He placed a necklace wondrous bright;
|
1791
|
+
Celestial rubies red, from far-off unknown lands,
|
1792
|
+
Bedeck my ears to-night.
|
1793
|
+
Betrothed am I to Him on Whom the angels wait,
|
1794
|
+
Trembling before His throne throughout eternity;
|
1795
|
+
The sun and moon His praise with rapture will relate,
|
1796
|
+
Till time shall cease to be.
|
1797
|
+
Divine His Person is; heaven is His realm of bliss;
|
1798
|
+
He for His Mother chose a Virgin here on earth;
|
1799
|
+
Who no beginning hath, nor end, His Father is, --
|
1800
|
+
Eternal is that birth.
|
1801
|
+
Ah! when this Jesus Christ at times to touch I dare,
|
1802
|
+
More pure becomes my heart; more chaste, dear Lord, am I!
|
1803
|
+
The kisses of His mouth give me the treasure fair
|
1804
|
+
Of blest virginity.
|
1805
|
+
His signet He hath set already on my face,
|
1806
|
+
That so no earthly love may dare draw nigh to me;
|
1807
|
+
Kept thus for Christ alone, by His abiding grace,
|
1808
|
+
His perfect purity.
|
1809
|
+
Cleansed by the precious Blood He shed on Calvary's cross,
|
1810
|
+
Already here I taste of heaven's matchless bliss;
|
1811
|
+
The honey and the milk -- with joys that know not loss --
|
1812
|
+
Come to me with His kiss.
|
1813
|
+
No thought of fear have I, of either flame or sword:
|
1814
|
+
For naught can now disturb this perfect heavenly peace
|
1815
|
+
A fire of love divine pervades my soul, O Lord:
|
1816
|
+
And never shall it cease.
|
1817
|
+
O Theophane, angelic martyr blest!
|
1818
|
+
All the elect to sing thy praise aspire;
|
1819
|
+
And thee to hail, behold! there stand confest
|
1820
|
+
The Seraphim, with love divine on fire.
|
1821
|
+
I, a poor exile still on this dull earth,
|
1822
|
+
Can not with them my joyful song combine;
|
1823
|
+
Yet will I take my harp, and sing thy worth,
|
1824
|
+
And claim thee as a kindred soul to mine.
|
1825
|
+
Thy brief bright sojourn here was like a psalm
|
1826
|
+
Of heavenly melody, all hearts upraising;
|
1827
|
+
Thy poet nature sang sweet songs like balm,
|
1828
|
+
Through all thy life thy dearest Saviour praising.
|
1829
|
+
Writing thy farewell thy last earthly night,
|
1830
|
+
That farewell was a song of Spring and love,
|
1831
|
+
"I, little butterfly, the first take flight,
|
1832
|
+
Of all our loved ones, to our home above."
|
1833
|
+
Thou, happy martyr! in the hour of death
|
1834
|
+
Didst taste the deep delight of suffering:
|
1835
|
+
Thou didst declare, e'en with thy dying breath,
|
1836
|
+
That it is sweet to suffer for the King.
|
1837
|
+
When the stern headsman made thee offer fair
|
1838
|
+
Thy torture to abridge, how swift thy word:
|
1839
|
+
"Oh, blest am I my Master's cup to share!
|
1840
|
+
Long let my suffering last with Christ my Lord!"
|
1841
|
+
O virginal lily! life had but begun,
|
1842
|
+
When Jesus heard thy loving heart's desire.
|
1843
|
+
I see in thee a flower whose race is run,
|
1844
|
+
Yet his hand plucked it but to lift it higher.
|
1845
|
+
And now, no longer, exile dost thou know;
|
1846
|
+
Thy ecstasy the Blest exult to see.
|
1847
|
+
Thou Rose of love! the Virgin white as snow
|
1848
|
+
Rejoices in thy heavenly purity.
|
1849
|
+
Soldier of Christ, thy armor lend to me!
|
1850
|
+
For sinners' souls I long to give my life;
|
1851
|
+
For them to give my tears, my blood, like thee:
|
1852
|
+
Protect me then, and arm me for the strife!
|
1853
|
+
For them I fain would fight, till life is done; --
|
1854
|
+
God's kingdom take by force, their souls to save.
|
1855
|
+
"Not peace to earth I bring," (so spake God's Son),
|
1856
|
+
"But fire and sword I bring." Oh, saving glaive!
|
1857
|
+
How dear is now to me that pagan horde,
|
1858
|
+
The object of thy burning love below;
|
1859
|
+
If Jesus would to me such grace accord,
|
1860
|
+
Ah, thither with what ardor would I go.
|
1861
|
+
Before Him space and distance fade away.
|
1862
|
+
This earth is but a plaything on the breeze;
|
1863
|
+
My actions, my small sufferings to-day,
|
1864
|
+
Can make my Jesus loved beyond the seas.
|
1865
|
+
Oh, were I but a fading springtime flower,
|
1866
|
+
That soon the Lord would gather to His breast!
|
1867
|
+
Come down, O Theophane, at my last hour;
|
1868
|
+
Come down for me, thou youthful martyr blest!
|
1869
|
+
Come, with the virginal flames of purest love,
|
1870
|
+
Come, burn from out my soul all earthly clay,
|
1871
|
+
That I may fly to heaven's courts above,
|
1872
|
+
And join thy cohort in unending day.
|
1873
|
+
On this glad day, dear Magdalene,
|
1874
|
+
We come to sing with praises due
|
1875
|
+
The wonderful, strong, gentle chain
|
1876
|
+
That binds your heavenly Spouse and you.
|
1877
|
+
Oh, hear us tell the charming story
|
1878
|
+
Of how a shepherdess once heard
|
1879
|
+
A Monarch bid her share His glory,
|
1880
|
+
And how she answered to his word.
|
1881
|
+
The shepherdess sing,
|
1882
|
+
Whom the Heavenly King
|
1883
|
+
With glory-crowned head
|
1884
|
+
Doth here, this day, at Carmel, wed!
|
1885
|
+
This shepherdess, so small, so poor,
|
1886
|
+
While spinning, kept her flocks with care.
|
1887
|
+
She loved the flowers beside her door,
|
1888
|
+
The birds that fluttered here and there;
|
1889
|
+
She knew what tongue the river spake,
|
1890
|
+
The verdant woods, the skies above;
|
1891
|
+
She loved them for her Master's sake,
|
1892
|
+
As tokens of His boundless love.
|
1893
|
+
But oh! she loved most tenderly
|
1894
|
+
Jesus and Mary. All her heart
|
1895
|
+
She gave, and they loved Melanie,
|
1896
|
+
And came to speak with her apart.
|
1897
|
+
"Will you," to her the sweet Queen said,
|
1898
|
+
"Near me, on Carmel, come to dwell?
|
1899
|
+
Will you be Magdalene, instead
|
1900
|
+
Of Melanie, and serve God well?
|
1901
|
+
"Child, quit your flock, seek God alone,
|
1902
|
+
Nor mourn the lambs you ne'er shall see!
|
1903
|
+
Upon this mountain all my own,
|
1904
|
+
Jesus your only Lamb shall be."
|
1905
|
+
"Oh, come! thy soul has charmed My sight,"
|
1906
|
+
Spake Jesus, "Come, be thou My bride!
|
1907
|
+
Who gave to God all earth's delight!
|
1908
|
+
Come, reign forever at My side!"
|
1909
|
+
Gladly the humble shepherdess
|
1910
|
+
Responded to that gentle call;
|
1911
|
+
And following Mary, swift to bless,
|
1912
|
+
She came to Carmel's lofty wall.
|
1913
|
+
Tis you, O little Magdalene!
|
1914
|
+
We feast with, on this joyous day!
|
1915
|
+
The shepherdess is now a Queen,
|
1916
|
+
Near Christ, her Spouse and King alway.
|
1917
|
+
O! cherished Sister, you know well
|
1918
|
+
To serve our God, it is to reign!
|
1919
|
+
Our Jesus did not cease to tell
|
1920
|
+
This lesson through His life of pain;
|
1921
|
+
"Among the great, on heaven's height,
|
1922
|
+
Who would stand first eternally
|
1923
|
+
Must choose on earth the lowest place,
|
1924
|
+
To hide from sight -- the least to be."
|
1925
|
+
Happy are you, O Magdalene!
|
1926
|
+
In your fixed lot in Carmel's home,
|
1927
|
+
Can there, for you, be any pain
|
1928
|
+
Who here so close to heaven come?
|
1929
|
+
Both Martha's, Mary's is your part --
|
1930
|
+
To pray, to wait upon the Lord --
|
1931
|
+
To love Him here with all your heart,
|
1932
|
+
And have Him for your great reward.
|
1933
|
+
Yet if, sometimes, sharp suffering
|
1934
|
+
Shall come to flood your soul with night,
|
1935
|
+
From out your pain will gladness spring
|
1936
|
+
For God you suffer. What delight!
|
1937
|
+
His tenderness, divine and sweet,
|
1938
|
+
Shall make you very soon forget
|
1939
|
+
The thorns that lie beneath your feet,
|
1940
|
+
The tears with which your eyes were wet.
|
1941
|
+
The angels envy you to-day!
|
1942
|
+
They fain would taste your joy, Marie!
|
1943
|
+
Your ecstasy, divinely gay --
|
1944
|
+
The spouse of Jesus Christ to be.
|
1945
|
+
Soon, soon among the angel bands,
|
1946
|
+
Among the Virtues, Thrones and Powers,
|
1947
|
+
Your Spouse and King in heaven's bright lands
|
1948
|
+
You, too, shall praise through endless hours.
|
1949
|
+
This shepherdess soon,
|
1950
|
+
So poor neath the moon,
|
1951
|
+
In heaven a queen,
|
1952
|
+
Beside her King shall yet be seen.
|
1953
|
+
Remember thou how once upon this earth
|
1954
|
+
Thy joy was found in caring for us all!
|
1955
|
+
Hear now the prayer of those who owe their birth
|
1956
|
+
To thee, dear father; bless us when we call!
|
1957
|
+
A little while ago, in Heaven, our home above,
|
1958
|
+
Thou to our mother's side hast come with saintly love.
|
1959
|
+
Together now ye reign,
|
1960
|
+
in Heaven made one again.
|
1961
|
+
O'er us keep guard!
|
1962
|
+
Remember thy first-born, thy bright Marie,
|
1963
|
+
She who was dearest ever in thy sight;
|
1964
|
+
Remember how her charm, her gaiety,
|
1965
|
+
Her love, her goodness, filled thee with delight,
|
1966
|
+
That daily source of joy thou didst renounce -- for God;
|
1967
|
+
And thou didst bless the band, that made thee feel His rod.
|
1968
|
+
Thy "diamond" bright and fair,
|
1969
|
+
Thy rarest of the rare,
|
1970
|
+
Remember thou!
|
1971
|
+
Remember thou thy beautiful "pure pearl,"
|
1972
|
+
The timid lamb once to thy tendence given!
|
1973
|
+
Trusting in God, behold thy lovely girl
|
1974
|
+
Guide Carmel's flock along the road to Heaven.
|
1975
|
+
Of thy beloved ones, "Mother" is she to-day:
|
1976
|
+
Then come to guide even now thy darling on her way!
|
1977
|
+
This Carmel of Thine own
|
1978
|
+
Remember at Heaven's throne,
|
1979
|
+
Remember thou!
|
1980
|
+
Remember now thy strong and ardent prayer
|
1981
|
+
Made here for thy third child, thy Leonie!
|
1982
|
+
God heard thee; for to her this earth so fair
|
1983
|
+
But banishment and exile seems to be.
|
1984
|
+
She, too, from this gay world, to God would turn aside;
|
1985
|
+
She loves Him only, and becomes His bride.
|
1986
|
+
Her ardent, burning sighs,
|
1987
|
+
Her Heaven-sent ecstasies,
|
1988
|
+
Remember thou!
|
1989
|
+
Remember thou thy faithful child, Celine,
|
1990
|
+
Who was to thee like angel from the skies,
|
1991
|
+
When close to thine the Face of Christ was seen,
|
1992
|
+
Testing thy virtue by great sacrifice!
|
1993
|
+
In Heaven thou reignest now; her task is past and gone;
|
1994
|
+
Now unto Jesus Christ she gives her life alone.
|
1995
|
+
Protect her future days,
|
1996
|
+
Who very often says:
|
1997
|
+
Remember thou!
|
1998
|
+
And, oh! remember thou thy "little queen," --
|
1999
|
+
The tender love with which her heart o'erflowed;
|
2000
|
+
Remember where at first her steps have been,
|
2001
|
+
And whose hand guided her along her road.
|
2002
|
+
Papa, remember now, that in her infancy
|
2003
|
+
Her innocence was given into God's care by thee.
|
2004
|
+
Even her curling hair
|
2005
|
+
To thee was dear and fair!
|
2006
|
+
Remember thou!
|
2007
|
+
Remember thou that on the terrace green
|
2008
|
+
Her place was often on thy saintly knees;
|
2009
|
+
And murmuring a prayer for her, "thy queen,"
|
2010
|
+
Thou didst sing softly on the Sunday breeze,
|
2011
|
+
And she, upon thy heart, saw in thy holy face
|
2012
|
+
A shining of Heaven's light, a strange unearthly grace.
|
2013
|
+
The beauty, sung by thee,
|
2014
|
+
Was of eternity!
|
2015
|
+
Remember thou!
|
2016
|
+
Remember now that Sunday ever blest,
|
2017
|
+
When thou a pure white flower to her didst give,
|
2018
|
+
And to thy child, dose to thy bosom pressed,
|
2019
|
+
Didst grant the grace on Carmel's hill to live.
|
2020
|
+
Oh, father dear, recall that in her trial-hour
|
2021
|
+
Sincerest proofs were given of all thy loving power,
|
2022
|
+
At Bayeux and at Rome
|
2023
|
+
Showing her Heaven as home!
|
2024
|
+
Remember thou!
|
2025
|
+
Remember that the Holy Father's hand
|
2026
|
+
Within the Vatican was laid on thee.
|
2027
|
+
The mystery, then, thou couldst not understand,
|
2028
|
+
The mystic sign of suffering to be.
|
2029
|
+
But now thy children here to thee uplift their prayer;
|
2030
|
+
They bless thy bitter cross, that won thy coronet rare.
|
2031
|
+
Upon thy brow, -- fair sight! --
|
2032
|
+
There shine, in Heaven's own light,
|
2033
|
+
Nine lilies bright!
|
2034
|
+
Oh, how I love your memory,
|
2035
|
+
My childhood days, so glad and free!
|
2036
|
+
To keep my innocence, dear Lord, for Thee,
|
2037
|
+
Thy love came to me night and day,
|
2038
|
+
Alway.
|
2039
|
+
So, when a little child was I,
|
2040
|
+
To Thee I gave me utterly
|
2041
|
+
Making with joy to Thee my promise high,
|
2042
|
+
To wed a King beyond my view, --
|
2043
|
+
Jesu!
|
2044
|
+
I loved the Mother loved by Thee;
|
2045
|
+
Saint Joseph, too, was friend to me.
|
2046
|
+
How near Thy promised heaven seemed to be,
|
2047
|
+
When shone, reflected in mine eyes,
|
2048
|
+
The skies!
|
2049
|
+
I loved the fields of wheat, the plain
|
2050
|
+
Of emerald grass, the gentle rain.
|
2051
|
+
Joy grew so great in me, twas almost pain!
|
2052
|
+
How dear my sisters' presence there;
|
2053
|
+
How fair!
|
2054
|
+
I loved to cull the grass, the flowers,
|
2055
|
+
Forget-me-nots in leafy bowers;
|
2056
|
+
I found the violets' perfume, all the hours, --
|
2057
|
+
With crocus growing neath my feet,
|
2058
|
+
Most sweet.
|
2059
|
+
I loved the daisies fair and white;
|
2060
|
+
Our Sunday walks, -- oh, what delight!
|
2061
|
+
The azure skies so gloriously bright;
|
2062
|
+
The birds that sang upon the tree
|
2063
|
+
For me!
|
2064
|
+
I loved my little shoe to grace,
|
2065
|
+
Each Christmas in the chimney-place;
|
2066
|
+
To find it there at morn, how swift I'd race!
|
2067
|
+
The feast of heaven, I hailed it well;
|
2068
|
+
Noel!
|
2069
|
+
I loved my mother's gentle smile,
|
2070
|
+
Her thoughtful glance that said, the while:
|
2071
|
+
"Eternity doth me from you beguile.
|
2072
|
+
I go to heaven, my God, to be
|
2073
|
+
With Thee!
|
2074
|
+
"I go to find, in realms above,
|
2075
|
+
My angel-band in Mary's love, ah, prove,
|
2076
|
+
The children whom I leave below, ah, prove,
|
2077
|
+
Jesu! to them their guide and stay,
|
2078
|
+
Alway!
|
2079
|
+
Oh, how I loved my heavenly Lord,
|
2080
|
+
In His blest Sacrament adored!
|
2081
|
+
He bound me to Him by His given word
|
2082
|
+
That He my Spouse from infancy
|
2083
|
+
Would be!
|
2084
|
+
I loved, upon the terrace fair,
|
2085
|
+
My father's reveries to share;
|
2086
|
+
To feel his gentle kisses on my hair.
|
2087
|
+
I loved that father -- who shall tell
|
2088
|
+
How well!
|
2089
|
+
Teresa, seated on his knee,
|
2090
|
+
Listened with me there, tenderly,
|
2091
|
+
To those melodious songs he sang for me.
|
2092
|
+
Those accents sweet I can not yet
|
2093
|
+
Forget.
|
2094
|
+
O Memory, what joys you bring!
|
2095
|
+
You wake the thought of many a thing
|
2096
|
+
That flew from me, long since, like birds awing.
|
2097
|
+
Faces I see, voices I hear
|
2098
|
+
How dear!
|
2099
|
+
At sunset's hour I loved to be,
|
2100
|
+
Teresa, heart to heart with thee;
|
2101
|
+
Thy soul was as my very own to me.
|
2102
|
+
My sister-friend, my love, wert thou
|
2103
|
+
As now.
|
2104
|
+
Hand clasped in hand our hymns we sang.
|
2105
|
+
Above earth's noisy clash and clang,
|
2106
|
+
Our voices through the holy twilight rang.
|
2107
|
+
Our dreams were then to Carmel given,
|
2108
|
+
And heaven.
|
2109
|
+
In Switzerland and Italy
|
2110
|
+
Thefairest scenes were shown to me;
|
2111
|
+
But fairer yet I deemed the sight to be
|
2112
|
+
Of him, -- Father of Christendom, --
|
2113
|
+
At Rome!
|
2114
|
+
The Coliseum's hallowed ground,
|
2115
|
+
With rapturous joy, my footsteps found;
|
2116
|
+
The Catacombs re-echoed to the sound
|
2117
|
+
Of hymns I sang to Thee, th' Adored,
|
2118
|
+
My Lord !
|
2119
|
+
What sorrows followed then, amain;
|
2120
|
+
What fears have filled my heart with pain!
|
2121
|
+
But Jesus came to help me, and sustain,
|
2122
|
+
And His dear cross has been my stay
|
2123
|
+
Alway.
|
2124
|
+
I fled the world, I turned my face,
|
2125
|
+
And. in a quiet resting-place,
|
2126
|
+
I sought in silent prayer for constant grace
|
2127
|
+
My load to bear, and for my grief
|
2128
|
+
Relief.
|
2129
|
+
I loved to hear, from distant towers,
|
2130
|
+
The sweet church-bells ring out the hours;
|
2131
|
+
I loved to cull, through burning tears, the flowers
|
2132
|
+
And hear, at eve, among the trees,
|
2133
|
+
The breeze.
|
2134
|
+
I loved the swallows' graceful flight,
|
2135
|
+
The turtledoves' low chant at night,
|
2136
|
+
The pleasant sound of insects gay and bright,
|
2137
|
+
The grassy vale where doth belong
|
2138
|
+
Their song.
|
2139
|
+
I loved the delicate morning-dew,
|
2140
|
+
On Bengal rose of charming hue;
|
2141
|
+
I loved to see the virginal bee accrue
|
2142
|
+
Its store of honey from the flower, --
|
2143
|
+
Its dower.
|
2144
|
+
I loved to gather autumn leaves;
|
2145
|
+
And, where the moss a carpet weaves,
|
2146
|
+
How oft, from mongst the vines, my hand receives
|
2147
|
+
A butterfly, so light of wing, --
|
2148
|
+
Fair thing!
|
2149
|
+
I loved the glow-worm on the sod;
|
2150
|
+
The countless stars, so near to God!
|
2151
|
+
But most I loved the beauteous moon, endowed
|
2152
|
+
With shining disk of silver bright,
|
2153
|
+
At night.
|
2154
|
+
To my dear father, worn and old,
|
2155
|
+
I gave myself with love untold.
|
2156
|
+
He was all to me. Joy, and home, and gold,
|
2157
|
+
Were mine in him; for him my kiss,
|
2158
|
+
My bliss.
|
2159
|
+
We loved the sweet sound of the sea,
|
2160
|
+
The storm, the calm, all things that be,
|
2161
|
+
At eve, the nightingale sang from the tree.
|
2162
|
+
Oh, seemed to us like seraphim
|
2163
|
+
Its hymn!
|
2164
|
+
But came one day when his sweet eyes
|
2165
|
+
Sought Jesus' cross with glad surprise . . .
|
2166
|
+
And then -- my precious, loving father dies!
|
2167
|
+
His last dear glance to me was given;
|
2168
|
+
Then -- heaven!
|
2169
|
+
Jesus, with hand benign and blest,
|
2170
|
+
Took Celine's treasure to his rest,
|
2171
|
+
Where endless joys are evermore possessed;
|
2172
|
+
Placing him near his throne of love,
|
2173
|
+
Above!
|
2174
|
+
Now, Lord, I am Thy prisoner here;
|
2175
|
+
Gone are the joys once held so dear.
|
2176
|
+
I have found out, -- none last, all seek their bier.
|
2177
|
+
I have seen all my joys pass by,
|
2178
|
+
And die.
|
2179
|
+
The grass is withered in its bed;
|
2180
|
+
The flowers within my hands are dead.
|
2181
|
+
Would that my weary feet, Jesu! might tread
|
2182
|
+
Thy heavenly fields, and I might be
|
2183
|
+
With Thee!
|
2184
|
+
E'en as the thirsting hart doth crave
|
2185
|
+
Its lips in some cool stream to lave,
|
2186
|
+
I seek from Thee, Jesu! the healing wave.
|
2187
|
+
I need, to calm my ardors and my fears,
|
2188
|
+
Thy tears.
|
2189
|
+
Thy love, naught else, attracts my soul;
|
2190
|
+
Heaven is my only aim, my goal;
|
2191
|
+
Love, Love divine, has me in Its control.
|
2192
|
+
I seek the Lamb upon His throne,
|
2193
|
+
Alone.
|
2194
|
+
Jesu! Thou art that Lamb divine;
|
2195
|
+
Naught else I crave, if I am Thine.
|
2196
|
+
In Thee all things in heaven and earth are mine!
|
2197
|
+
Thou art the lovely Flower of spring,
|
2198
|
+
My King!
|
2199
|
+
Thou art the Lily, pure and fair;
|
2200
|
+
Thy perfume sweet embalms the air.
|
2201
|
+
O Bunch of sacred Myrrh, divinely rare,
|
2202
|
+
Upon my heart, I beg Thee, stay
|
2203
|
+
Alway!
|
2204
|
+
Thy love goes with me where I go!
|
2205
|
+
In Thee have I the sparkling snow,
|
2206
|
+
The rains, the lofty hills, the valleys low,
|
2207
|
+
The babbling brooks, the leafy trees,
|
2208
|
+
The breeze!
|
2209
|
+
All these I have in Thee, dear Lord:
|
2210
|
+
The yellow wheat, the harvest horde,
|
2211
|
+
The Rose of Sharon, -- type of Thee, Adored!
|
2212
|
+
Round me what flowers of charming dyes
|
2213
|
+
Arise!
|
2214
|
+
I have the dear melodious lyre,
|
2215
|
+
The solitude of my desire,
|
2216
|
+
My waves, and mighty rocks, and brilliant fire,
|
2217
|
+
My birds that sing, my murmuring stream,
|
2218
|
+
-- Fair dream!
|
2219
|
+
My rainbow in my rain-washed skies,
|
2220
|
+
Horizon where my suns arise,
|
2221
|
+
Island in far-off seas, pearl I most prize,
|
2222
|
+
Springtime and butterflies, I see
|
2223
|
+
In Thee!
|
2224
|
+
Thy love is like the flowers of May,
|
2225
|
+
The palm-trees where the breezes play,
|
2226
|
+
The nights almost as bright and light as day.
|
2227
|
+
In Thee I find what shall not cease, --
|
2228
|
+
Sweet peace!
|
2229
|
+
Delicious grapes in Thee are mine,
|
2230
|
+
The purple burden of the vine;
|
2231
|
+
The virgin forest and the stately pine,
|
2232
|
+
The fair haired children, Lord, I see
|
2233
|
+
With Thee!
|
2234
|
+
In Thee I have the springs, the rills,
|
2235
|
+
The mignonette, the daffodils,
|
2236
|
+
The eglantine, the harebell on the hills,
|
2237
|
+
The trembling poplar, sighing low
|
2238
|
+
And slow.
|
2239
|
+
In Thee I have the waving wheat,
|
2240
|
+
The winds that murmur low and sweet.
|
2241
|
+
All Mary's flowers, once blooming at my feet,
|
2242
|
+
The glowing plain, the tender grass, I see
|
2243
|
+
In Thee.
|
2244
|
+
Beneath my habit's plain, coarse fold
|
2245
|
+
Thou givest me rare gems and gold.
|
2246
|
+
Within my clasp what brilliant rings I hold, --
|
2247
|
+
Pearls, sapphires, rubies, diamonds bright, --
|
2248
|
+
To-night.
|
2249
|
+
The lovely lake, the valley fair
|
2250
|
+
And lonely, in the lambent air,
|
2251
|
+
The ocean touched with silver everywhere,
|
2252
|
+
In Thee their treasures, all combined,
|
2253
|
+
I find.
|
2254
|
+
I have the barque on mighty seas,
|
2255
|
+
Its shining track, the shore, the breeze,
|
2256
|
+
The sun that sinks behind the leafy trees,
|
2257
|
+
Lighting the clouds, ere it expire,
|
2258
|
+
With fire.
|
2259
|
+
In Thee, the glorious stars are mine;
|
2260
|
+
And often at the day's decline
|
2261
|
+
I see, as through some veil silken and fine,
|
2262
|
+
Beckoning from heaven, our fatherland,
|
2263
|
+
Thy hand!
|
2264
|
+
O Thou Who governest all the earth,
|
2265
|
+
Who giv'st the mighty forests birth,
|
2266
|
+
And at one glance mak'st all their life of worth!
|
2267
|
+
On me Thou gazest, from above,
|
2268
|
+
With love.
|
2269
|
+
I have Thy Face, I have Thy Heart!
|
2270
|
+
Lo! I am wounded with thy dart;
|
2271
|
+
Thou dost Thy sacred kiss to me impart.
|
2272
|
+
I love Thee! Thee alone I view,
|
2273
|
+
Jesu!
|
2274
|
+
I go, to chant, with angel-throngs,
|
2275
|
+
The homage that to Thee belongs.
|
2276
|
+
Soon let me fly away, to join their songs!
|
2277
|
+
Oh, let me die of love, I pray,
|
2278
|
+
One day!
|
2279
|
+
Drawn by the light, the insect flies
|
2280
|
+
To meet the flame wherein it dies.
|
2281
|
+
So, to Thy light, my longing soul would rise;
|
2282
|
+
So would I gladly in that tire,
|
2283
|
+
Expire!
|
2284
|
+
I hear, e'en I, Thy last and least,
|
2285
|
+
The music from Thy heavenly feast;
|
2286
|
+
There, there, receive me as Thy loving guest!
|
2287
|
+
There, to my harp, oh, bid me sing,
|
2288
|
+
My King!
|
2289
|
+
Mary I go to see, and there
|
2290
|
+
The saints, and those once treasured here.
|
2291
|
+
Life is all past, and dried at last each tear.
|
2292
|
+
To me my home again is given, --
|
2293
|
+
In heaven!
|
2294
|
+
My God, Thy work complete!
|
2295
|
+
At last I seek Thy grace.
|
2296
|
+
Here at Thy holy feet,
|
2297
|
+
To-day I choose my place.
|
2298
|
+
From earth I sought in vain
|
2299
|
+
For ease, or joy, or rest;
|
2300
|
+
Sorrow and weary pain
|
2301
|
+
Alone have filled my breast.
|
2302
|
+
Yes, Magdalene, rest here,
|
2303
|
+
With contrite, humble heart.
|
2304
|
+
Men's scorn no longer fear!
|
2305
|
+
Choose thou the better part.
|
2306
|
+
Hereafter live in peace,
|
2307
|
+
Holy and pure, for Me;
|
2308
|
+
And I shall never cease
|
2309
|
+
To suffer, child, for thee.
|
2310
|
+
It is too much! My sore
|
2311
|
+
And burdened heart will break.
|
2312
|
+
Could I be born once more,
|
2313
|
+
Or die, for Thy sweet sake!
|
2314
|
+
But I have caused Thy grief,
|
2315
|
+
For me Thou art to die.
|
2316
|
+
How shall I find relief
|
2317
|
+
For all this misery?
|
2318
|
+
Yes, many, many tears
|
2319
|
+
Mine eyes have shed for thee
|
2320
|
+
Yet speedily thy fears
|
2321
|
+
Shall change to love for Me.
|
2322
|
+
Thy soul, made pure again,
|
2323
|
+
By one calm word of Mine,
|
2324
|
+
In heaven, free from pain
|
2325
|
+
Shall live a life divine.
|
2326
|
+
Holy and stainless One!
|
2327
|
+
How dare I seek Thy face?
|
2328
|
+
What have I ever done
|
2329
|
+
To win from Thee such grace?
|
2330
|
+
I spurned in other years
|
2331
|
+
Thy patient love for me;
|
2332
|
+
Now, naught have I but tears
|
2333
|
+
To offer Lord, to Thee.
|
2334
|
+
Those pure, repentant tears
|
2335
|
+
Shine brighter in My sight
|
2336
|
+
Than any star appears
|
2337
|
+
In radiant glow at night.
|
2338
|
+
Than precious pearls more dear
|
2339
|
+
Thy contrite heart to-day.
|
2340
|
+
O sorrowing soul, draw near!
|
2341
|
+
Thy guilt is washed away.
|
2342
|
+
Thou Lord of heaven and earth,
|
2343
|
+
What marvelous mystery!
|
2344
|
+
Hath nothing, then, the worth
|
2345
|
+
To win Thy heart from me?
|
2346
|
+
Behold, how full of charms
|
2347
|
+
The hill, and sea, and sky,
|
2348
|
+
The lambs that seek Thine arms
|
2349
|
+
The rivers flowing by!
|
2350
|
+
I see the lilies bloom,
|
2351
|
+
Unsullied, fair, and white;
|
2352
|
+
Yet My large heart hath room
|
2353
|
+
For thy heart's rose to-night.
|
2354
|
+
That rose at last has won
|
2355
|
+
My choice mid flowerets rare
|
2356
|
+
From all beneath the sun
|
2357
|
+
I choose its blossoms fair.
|
2358
|
+
The bird's pure, warbling voice
|
2359
|
+
Chants sweetest song to Thee;
|
2360
|
+
The rippling brooks rejoice,
|
2361
|
+
And praise Thee merrily;
|
2362
|
+
The lily of the vale
|
2363
|
+
Its perfumes hastes to bring
|
2364
|
+
And petals, starlike, pale,
|
2365
|
+
Before Thy feet to fling.
|
2366
|
+
On ivoried, regal throne,
|
2367
|
+
In glorious array,
|
2368
|
+
The great King Solomon
|
2369
|
+
Is less than these to-day;
|
2370
|
+
The daisies in the field
|
2371
|
+
Surpass his princely state;
|
2372
|
+
And yet to thee they yield,
|
2373
|
+
On thee they gladly wait!
|
2374
|
+
A virginal train above,
|
2375
|
+
With robes more white than snow,
|
2376
|
+
Give thee their constant love,
|
2377
|
+
And go where Thou dost go.
|
2378
|
+
I, of a blighted life,
|
2379
|
+
Offer the end to Thee,
|
2380
|
+
From its frail morning rife
|
2381
|
+
With bitter misery.
|
2382
|
+
I love the fires of dawn,
|
2383
|
+
So bright, so pure, so fair;
|
2384
|
+
But ah! I also love
|
2385
|
+
The radiant evening air.
|
2386
|
+
The soul, if it repent,
|
2387
|
+
Shall find at last its home,
|
2388
|
+
There where the sinless tent,
|
2389
|
+
'Neath heaven's o'erspreading dome.
|
2390
|
+
The angels there delight
|
2391
|
+
To show their love for Thee.
|
2392
|
+
Upon their phalanx white
|
2393
|
+
Thy blessing ever be!
|
2394
|
+
A sinful soul am I,
|
2395
|
+
Who naught have merited.
|
2396
|
+
Must Thou not pass me by?
|
2397
|
+
Is mine the children's bread?
|
2398
|
+
Higher than angels mount,
|
2399
|
+
Shalt thou ascend one day!
|
2400
|
+
Close, close to Love's own fount,
|
2401
|
+
Shalt thou abide alway!
|
2402
|
+
But first, on earth a while
|
2403
|
+
In prayer live silently,
|
2404
|
+
And thus gain souls from guile
|
2405
|
+
To give their hearts to Me.
|
2406
|
+
Oh! with what ardent zeal
|
2407
|
+
My heart at last doth burn!
|
2408
|
+
What deep desire I feel
|
2409
|
+
To give Thy love return!
|
2410
|
+
Yet souls to win for Thee,
|
2411
|
+
Too weak, too blind, am I.
|
2412
|
+
Lend Thou Thy heart to me; --
|
2413
|
+
None then shall pass me by.
|
2414
|
+
Lord, one word I ask! Behold my sister there!
|
2415
|
+
Now bid her, dearest Lord, to help me serve Thy meal.
|
2416
|
+
She thinks not of my tasks; for me she hath no care;
|
2417
|
+
She ought to wait on Thee; for me some pity feel!
|
2418
|
+
Dear Martha, hostess kind and good!
|
2419
|
+
Why should you thus your sister blame?
|
2420
|
+
True, naught she thinks about My food,
|
2421
|
+
Yet waits she on Me all the same.
|
2422
|
+
Ah, Lord divine and dear! tis this surprises me.
|
2423
|
+
Ought she not, then, awhile, to cease to dream and pray?
|
2424
|
+
Should she not choose what gift shall be her gift to Thee,
|
2425
|
+
Who lavishly dost give to her and me each day?
|
2426
|
+
Nay, Martha! listen to My Word!
|
2427
|
+
Your faithful, generous love I know;
|
2428
|
+
Yet doth your sister to her Lord
|
2429
|
+
As faithful love and homage show,
|
2430
|
+
Deep myst'ries are these words that greet mine ears to-day.
|
2431
|
+
I can not help but think, -- oh! let me tell my thought!
|
2432
|
+
Better to work good works than many prayers to say; --
|
2433
|
+
The love I feel for Thee must into deeds be wrought.
|
2434
|
+
True, Martha! works are needful here;
|
2435
|
+
I came, Myself, to work with care;
|
2436
|
+
Yet I would have this truth stand clear;
|
2437
|
+
One must transfigure work with prayer.
|
2438
|
+
I knew that I was right; for, did I idly rest,
|
2439
|
+
No charm should I possess in Thy benignant eyes;
|
2440
|
+
So I made haste, to serve for Thee, my holy Guest,
|
2441
|
+
Some pleasant food, to win Thy praise; -- tis all I prize.
|
2442
|
+
Generous your ardent soul, and good!
|
2443
|
+
Martha, your works show forth your worth;
|
2444
|
+
Yet would you know the only food
|
2445
|
+
That I desire to have on earth?
|
2446
|
+
One single work is needful here!
|
2447
|
+
Your sister, biding near My heart,
|
2448
|
+
In love's own prayer, divinely dear,
|
2449
|
+
Hath chosen thus the better part.
|
2450
|
+
Yes, this the part that is the best!
|
2451
|
+
So I declare, and Truth am I.
|
2452
|
+
Now, Martha, come and share her rest,
|
2453
|
+
Her blessed rest, for Love am I!
|
2454
|
+
At last I understand! O Jesus, Love supreme,
|
2455
|
+
Thy glance hath pierced my soul, Thy meaning now I see.
|
2456
|
+
My gifts are all too small, my services a dream;
|
2457
|
+
My heart the priceless gift that Thou wouldst have from me.
|
2458
|
+
Yes, tis thy loving heart I crave;
|
2459
|
+
For this I came from heaven above.
|
2460
|
+
The glories tis My right to have,
|
2461
|
+
I left, to seek your love, your love!
|
2462
|
+
Why, then, O Saviour-dear, if I may ask Thee this,
|
2463
|
+
Why, within Simon's house, didst greatly praise Marie?
|
2464
|
+
For surely in her life she gave Thee pain, I wis;
|
2465
|
+
And stormy days, in her, Thy sorrowing eyes must see
|
2466
|
+
Martha! I understand her heart,
|
2467
|
+
By pain and sin and sorrow rent;
|
2468
|
+
For souls love much if pardoned much,
|
2469
|
+
And sorely, sorely they repent.
|
2470
|
+
Amazed am I the more by Thy great love and power,
|
2471
|
+
For naught know I, dear Lord, of sin's wild strength and shame.
|
2472
|
+
What do I owe Thee, then Who, from my earliest hour,
|
2473
|
+
Hast shielded me in peace, and kept me free from blame?
|
2474
|
+
A soul kept pure through all its days, --
|
2475
|
+
Chief masterpiece of Love Divine, --
|
2476
|
+
Should give Me rapturous, endless praise,
|
2477
|
+
And wholly and alone be Mine.
|
2478
|
+
Yes, Martha, you have charmed My sight,
|
2479
|
+
By lifelong, stainless purity;
|
2480
|
+
Yet, while your soul is spotless white,
|
2481
|
+
Your sister hath humility!
|
2482
|
+
To win Thy love, dear Lord! through all my life to be,
|
2483
|
+
Earth's honors I will scorn, and all its pomps despise,
|
2484
|
+
And Mary's part will choose, while working still for Thee;
|
2485
|
+
Thy love alone shall be of value in mine eyes.
|
2486
|
+
Many the souls you thus shall claim
|
2487
|
+
From sin's dark haunts to seek My Face;
|
2488
|
+
And you shall bear afar the flame
|
2489
|
+
Of faith, and love's immortal grace.
|
2490
|
+
Thy voice, O Jesus Christ! is sweetest melody,
|
2491
|
+
That wins our love to Thee, and sets our hearts on fire.
|
2492
|
+
Abide Thou here alway, our Life on earth to be:
|
2493
|
+
Abide Thou here alway, our hearts' supreme Desire!
|
2494
|
+
True joy have I at Bethany,
|
2495
|
+
Where find I oft a welcome true;
|
2496
|
+
And in my Father's home shall be
|
2497
|
+
A wondrous blessing granted you.
|
2498
|
+
Yes, you the mystery comprehend
|
2499
|
+
That makes drear earth My precious prize;
|
2500
|
+
For souls of prayer are dear to Me,
|
2501
|
+
A vast reward for sacrifice.
|
2502
|
+
Beyond heaven's joys I prize such souls!
|
2503
|
+
Heaven's glories, one day, yours shall be;
|
2504
|
+
My goods your loving prayer controls,
|
2505
|
+
Your Spouse am I eternally.
|
2506
|
+
Here, faithful friends, ye gave Me meat;
|
2507
|
+
But, in the feast at heaven's board,
|
2508
|
+
Ye shall sit down to food more sweet,
|
2509
|
+
While on you waits your God and Lord.
|
2510
|
+
For us, poor exiles from our birth,
|
2511
|
+
God made the pretty little birds;
|
2512
|
+
Among the hills and dales of earth
|
2513
|
+
They sing His praises without words;
|
2514
|
+
But sometimes playful childish hands,
|
2515
|
+
Choosing the ones they like the best,
|
2516
|
+
Keep them in cages, where the bands
|
2517
|
+
Are gilded bars for these oppressed.
|
2518
|
+
O Jesus, little Brother dear!
|
2519
|
+
For us from Heaven didst Thou flee;
|
2520
|
+
Thou knowest well Thy bird-cage here
|
2521
|
+
Is Carmel, and Thy birds are we.
|
2522
|
+
Our cage is gilded not at all,
|
2523
|
+
Yet oh! how precious tis to me!
|
2524
|
+
To hill or plain from its high wail
|
2525
|
+
Not one of us would wish to flee.
|
2526
|
+
Let not the outer world intrude!
|
2527
|
+
No joy to us it now could bring.
|
2528
|
+
Child Jesus! in our solitude
|
2529
|
+
For Thee, for Thee alone, we sing.
|
2530
|
+
Thy tiny hand has us beguiled;
|
2531
|
+
Thy infant-charms no words can tell;
|
2532
|
+
Thy smile, most sweet and Holy Child!
|
2533
|
+
Has won Thy birds to love Thee well.
|
2534
|
+
Here finds the simple, candid soul
|
2535
|
+
The only object of its love;
|
2536
|
+
Here is the vulture's fierce control
|
2537
|
+
No longer dreaded by the dove.
|
2538
|
+
Upon the wings of burning prayer
|
2539
|
+
Theardent heart ascends on high,
|
2540
|
+
As swift the lark doth cleave the air,
|
2541
|
+
With sweet, enraptured, joyful cry.
|
2542
|
+
Here, in Thy praises to engage,
|
2543
|
+
The nightingale and veery came.
|
2544
|
+
O Little Jesus! in Thy cage
|
2545
|
+
Thy birds are carolling Thy Name.
|
2546
|
+
The little bird it always sings,
|
2547
|
+
Nor fear for its small meal doth know;
|
2548
|
+
A grain of wheat contentment brings;
|
2549
|
+
It sows not, spins not, here below.
|
2550
|
+
Within this cage where we have fled,
|
2551
|
+
Is all provided through Thy care;
|
2552
|
+
The one thing needful, Thou hast said,
|
2553
|
+
Is just to love Thee, Child most fair!
|
2554
|
+
So, through the hours, we sing Thy praise,
|
2555
|
+
With glad, pure spirits ever blest.
|
2556
|
+
We know the angels, all the days,
|
2557
|
+
Love Carmel's birds within their nest.
|
2558
|
+
Jesu! Thy bitter tears to dry,
|
2559
|
+
That sinful men have wrung from Thee,
|
2560
|
+
Thy birds to win back souls will try,
|
2561
|
+
By their sweet songs of ecstasy.
|
2562
|
+
One day, when earth and time are o'er,
|
2563
|
+
And Thy clear call to us is given,
|
2564
|
+
Then angel-hands shall ope the door;
|
2565
|
+
Thy birds shall take their flight to Heaven;
|
2566
|
+
And there, with charming, songful hosts
|
2567
|
+
Of little cherubs glad and gay,
|
2568
|
+
Thy happy birds from Carmel's coasts
|
2569
|
+
Shall praise Thy Holy Name alway.
|
2570
|
+
Rise, Joseph! heed my cry!
|
2571
|
+
All swiftly, silently,
|
2572
|
+
To Egypt take your flight!
|
2573
|
+
Depart, this very night!
|
2574
|
+
Herod his fury now,
|
2575
|
+
Is even to madness heaping;
|
2576
|
+
He longs to slay the Lamb
|
2577
|
+
In Mary's tendance sleeping,
|
2578
|
+
Take Mother and Child, and go
|
2579
|
+
From an impending woe.
|
2580
|
+
Wonders on wonders piled!
|
2581
|
+
Jesus, of Heaven the Lord,
|
2582
|
+
Now upon earth exiled,
|
2583
|
+
Flee, from a mortal's sword.
|
2584
|
+
So, unto God in flight,
|
2585
|
+
Oh, let us give our love;
|
2586
|
+
Let our white wings to-night
|
2587
|
+
Protect Him from above!
|
2588
|
+
Now bring the flowers most fair
|
2589
|
+
To strew before His way!
|
2590
|
+
A lullaby prepare,
|
2591
|
+
Of songs most sweet and gay!
|
2592
|
+
Console His Mother's heart
|
2593
|
+
By singing of His charms.
|
2594
|
+
How fair, how sweet, Thou art,
|
2595
|
+
Reposing in her arms!
|
2596
|
+
Oh, let us speed afar,
|
2597
|
+
For here dire perils are!
|
2598
|
+
Fly, on this very night,
|
2599
|
+
From dangers and from fright!
|
2600
|
+
The Virgin bears our Star,
|
2601
|
+
Beneath her veil afar,
|
2602
|
+
The Star of the elect,
|
2603
|
+
Whom longing hearts expect.
|
2604
|
+
Behold! Heaven's Lord
|
2605
|
+
Flees from a mortal's sword!
|
2606
|
+
I come, I come, to sing your charms divine,
|
2607
|
+
Blest Family who lure me to this place.
|
2608
|
+
In this drear desert, lo! to-night doth shine
|
2609
|
+
A Star more fair than heaven in all its grace.
|
2610
|
+
But who shall comprehend this mystery: --
|
2611
|
+
He came unto His own -- they bade Him go!
|
2612
|
+
A wanderer on the earth He made is He,
|
2613
|
+
And none discern His beauty here below.
|
2614
|
+
But if the great Thine empire now despise,
|
2615
|
+
Thou King of Heaven, Thou mystic promised Star!
|
2616
|
+
Long for Thy reign have looked. the tear-dimmed eyes,
|
2617
|
+
And long the unhappy sought Thee from afar.
|
2618
|
+
O Word Eternal! Wisdom true and deep!
|
2619
|
+
Thy gifts are here, but they are for the meek:
|
2620
|
+
The childlike soul, the tried, and them who weep,
|
2621
|
+
It is to them, one day, Thy voice shall speak.
|
2622
|
+
For Thou Thy wisdom often dost impart
|
2623
|
+
To ignorant men, if they but humble be;
|
2624
|
+
And Thou dost call the sinful to Thy Heart,
|
2625
|
+
Because in them Thine image Thou dost see.
|
2626
|
+
A day shall come, when, in the selfsame fold,
|
2627
|
+
The lamb beside the lion safe shall feed;
|
2628
|
+
And in Thy refuge here, this desert old,
|
2629
|
+
Thy Name shall call forth many a holy deed.
|
2630
|
+
O hidden God! what virginal souls, one day,
|
2631
|
+
Catching from Thy vast fire of love the flame,
|
2632
|
+
Shall hither haste, where Thou hast led the way;
|
2633
|
+
And all these wastes for their possession claim.
|
2634
|
+
Their ardent souls, their love like seraphs blest,
|
2635
|
+
Shall fill the angels with supreme delight;
|
2636
|
+
And hell shall tremble at their hymns, addrest
|
2637
|
+
Unto God's greater glory, day and night
|
2638
|
+
Then Satan shall, in frantic jealousy,
|
2639
|
+
Seek to deplete these houses of our Lord;
|
2640
|
+
But knows he not the power and majesty
|
2641
|
+
Of this frail Child, humble, unknown, ignored.
|
2642
|
+
He dreams not that a lowly virgin-heart
|
2643
|
+
Forever dwells in safety and in peace;
|
2644
|
+
He dreams not of the strength, beyond his art,
|
2645
|
+
She has from God, whose wonders never cease.
|
2646
|
+
It may be that, one day, Thy spouses dear
|
2647
|
+
Must share Thy exile, O Thou Holy Child!
|
2648
|
+
But none shall quench their love, that burns most clear
|
2649
|
+
Despite their exile and men's fury wild.
|
2650
|
+
Nor shall the vile world's sacrilegious spite
|
2651
|
+
Turn from their goal the virgins of the Lord;
|
2652
|
+
Nor ever soil their robes of spotless white,
|
2653
|
+
Nor mar their likeness to their King adored.
|
2654
|
+
Ungrateful world! thy reign is well nigh done
|
2655
|
+
Dost thou not see how this most holy Child
|
2656
|
+
Culls joyously these roses like the sun,
|
2657
|
+
These martyrs' palms, these lilies undefiled?
|
2658
|
+
Dost thou not see His faithful virgin band,
|
2659
|
+
Holding their burning lamps with love alight
|
2660
|
+
Dost thou not see heaven's portals openstand
|
2661
|
+
The saints to welcome in, to glory bright?
|
2662
|
+
O happy moment! joy that knows no shade!
|
2663
|
+
When the elect in gladness enter there;
|
2664
|
+
And for their love, the great reward is paid, --
|
2665
|
+
To see God's face, that promised Vision fair!
|
2666
|
+
Life's exile o'er, gone are all pain and woe;
|
2667
|
+
E'en faith itself, and hope itself, shall cease;
|
2668
|
+
But everlasting rest those souls shall know.
|
2669
|
+
The ecstasy of love and endless peace.
|
2670
|
+
Sisters! I bring to you the Adored,
|
2671
|
+
The Eternal God, so small, so weak;
|
2672
|
+
I plead for the Incarnate Word,
|
2673
|
+
Because as yet He cannot speak.
|
2674
|
+
To Jesus, exiled from His home,
|
2675
|
+
The cruel world no shelter grants;
|
2676
|
+
And so to Carmel's shade I come,
|
2677
|
+
To find the shelter that He wants.
|
2678
|
+
Ever your praise, your tenderness,
|
2679
|
+
Your welcome sweet, your warm caress,
|
2680
|
+
Be for this Child!
|
2681
|
+
Oh, burn with love, for He loves you,
|
2682
|
+
This Child, who is your God and Lord.
|
2683
|
+
Pathetic mystery! He who begs, to-night, of you,
|
2684
|
+
Is the Eternal Word!
|
2685
|
+
Come then, my Sisters! without fear,
|
2686
|
+
Each in her turn, to Jesus' feet,
|
2687
|
+
Offering your love to Him most dear,
|
2688
|
+
And you shall know His will so sweet,
|
2689
|
+
Yes, I will tell you the desires
|
2690
|
+
Of Jesus born amid the snow;
|
2691
|
+
For you are pure as angels are,
|
2692
|
+
And you can suffer too, you know!
|
2693
|
+
Ever your cares, your suffering,
|
2694
|
+
Andall your joys so light of wing,
|
2695
|
+
Be for this Child!
|
2696
|
+
Oh, burn with love, for He loves you,
|
2697
|
+
This Babe, who is your God and Lord!
|
2698
|
+
Pathetic mystery! He who begs, to-night, of you,
|
2699
|
+
Is the Eternal Word!
|
2700
|
+
Jesus, Christ, your only treasure,
|
2701
|
+
Asks one special gift of you.
|
2702
|
+
No gold throne was in the stable,
|
2703
|
+
Yet such treasure is His due.
|
2704
|
+
Sinners' souls are like the stable,
|
2705
|
+
Bare and cold in winter's snow,
|
2706
|
+
Off'ring to Him no soft shelter,
|
2707
|
+
No bright fire's cheerful glow.
|
2708
|
+
Souls of sinners, save them, Sister!
|
2709
|
+
That the throne our Lord desires;
|
2710
|
+
Seeks He, too, the royal welcome
|
2711
|
+
Of your pure heart's holy fires.
|
2712
|
+
He Who feeds the souls predestined
|
2713
|
+
With His Essence all Divine,
|
2714
|
+
Makes Himself the Infant Jesus
|
2715
|
+
To be your delight, and mine.
|
2716
|
+
Up in heaven His joy is perfect;
|
2717
|
+
Here below, a beggar He
|
2718
|
+
Quickly fetch some milk, dear Sister;
|
2719
|
+
Baby Jesus thirsts, you see.
|
2720
|
+
Ah! our little Brother Jesus
|
2721
|
+
Smiles on you. Noel! Noel!
|
2722
|
+
Down from heaven to earth He cometh
|
2723
|
+
In your childlike heart to dwell.
|
2724
|
+
You, dearest Sister! long to know
|
2725
|
+
What you can do for Jesus' sake,
|
2726
|
+
So joyfully I haste to tell
|
2727
|
+
How you His glorious smiles can wake.
|
2728
|
+
Go, catch for Him some charming birds,
|
2729
|
+
And in the stable let them sing,
|
2730
|
+
For they are types of children's souls,
|
2731
|
+
So dear to this Child Christ their King.
|
2732
|
+
Their pretty hymns, their baby prayers,
|
2733
|
+
His sleep like joy-bells gently break.
|
2734
|
+
Pray for them then; in heaven one day
|
2735
|
+
Those children's souls your crown will make.
|
2736
|
+
Sometimes, when all the skies are black
|
2737
|
+
With gloomy clouds, and no stars shine,
|
2738
|
+
Our little Jesus grieves alone, --
|
2739
|
+
He craves your love, yes, yours and mine.
|
2740
|
+
Then give to Him the light He wants,
|
2741
|
+
Be like a bright and shining star;
|
2742
|
+
And let your virtues, like a lamp,
|
2743
|
+
Shed welcoming radiance near and far.
|
2744
|
+
So may your rays lead souls to heaven,
|
2745
|
+
The sinful souls for whom He died.
|
2746
|
+
This Child Divine, our Morning Star,
|
2747
|
+
Asks you to be His star, His bride.
|
2748
|
+
MY little Sister, 'waiting there,
|
2749
|
+
Your gift for Bethlehem's Babe to hear,
|
2750
|
+
Your heart for His melodious lyre
|
2751
|
+
Is what He asks in accents clear.
|
2752
|
+
In heaven's high court swells up alway
|
2753
|
+
The angels' song with incense sweet;
|
2754
|
+
And yet He loves, in Carmel's shade,
|
2755
|
+
To hear your praises at His feet.
|
2756
|
+
So, dearest Sister! 'tis your heart,
|
2757
|
+
Whose melodies our Lord desires.
|
2758
|
+
By night, by day, consume away,
|
2759
|
+
With songs of love, in love's sweet fires.
|
2760
|
+
Your soul, dear, is a lily sweet, --
|
2761
|
+
Jesus and Mary love it well.
|
2762
|
+
Hear what the heavenly Bridegroom speaks
|
2763
|
+
Softly, yet clear as altar-bell; --
|
2764
|
+
Ah! if I love the lily white,
|
2765
|
+
Symbol of innocence like snow,
|
2766
|
+
Yet for the rose of penitence
|
2767
|
+
I also feel My heart aglow.
|
2768
|
+
Let your warm tears for sinners fall, --
|
2769
|
+
What joy your love will give Me then!
|
2770
|
+
So can I gather at My Will
|
2771
|
+
Those roses dear, the hearts of men.
|
2772
|
+
As by the shining of the sun
|
2773
|
+
Nature is glorified and gay;
|
2774
|
+
As by its radiance field and vale
|
2775
|
+
Grow fair and strong and green alway;
|
2776
|
+
So doth our Jesus, Son divine,
|
2777
|
+
Approach you with His sweet caress,
|
2778
|
+
Shining at His own matin hour,
|
2779
|
+
Your loving heart to heal and bless.
|
2780
|
+
Lo! He is born on Christmas morn,
|
2781
|
+
Your exiled soul to find and cheer,
|
2782
|
+
To fill your days with His warm rays:
|
2783
|
+
So be His smiling valley, dear!
|
2784
|
+
Lo! here on earth, 'neath other skies,
|
2785
|
+
In spite of storm and winter's snow
|
2786
|
+
Already our dear Little One
|
2787
|
+
Hath found some harvests here below.
|
2788
|
+
But, ah! to gather them He needs
|
2789
|
+
Reapers on fire with quenchless love,
|
2790
|
+
And glad to suffer or to die
|
2791
|
+
For Him who reigns in Heaven above
|
2792
|
+
Noel Noel to Carmel's shade
|
2793
|
+
I come, because His will is thine.
|
2794
|
+
Sister! form apostolic souls,
|
2795
|
+
To reap the harvest fields divine.
|
2796
|
+
I want some sweet and cooling fruit,
|
2797
|
+
A bunch of grapes so smooth and fair,
|
2798
|
+
To moisten the small, thirsting lips
|
2799
|
+
Of this dear Babe within my care.
|
2800
|
+
Your lot, my Sister! oh, how blest,
|
2801
|
+
For those choice grapes He asks of you,
|
2802
|
+
Within His vineyard to be prest!
|
2803
|
+
The hearts of all men are His due.
|
2804
|
+
His tiny hand like snow-flake white
|
2805
|
+
Upon your throbbing heart shall lie,
|
2806
|
+
And from all touch of earth's delight
|
2807
|
+
Absorb it into His on high.
|
2808
|
+
Oh! we how with each morning's light
|
2809
|
+
Jesus, the Child divinely fair,
|
2810
|
+
Into a little snow-white host
|
2811
|
+
Transforms Himself, that you may share
|
2812
|
+
His life; and yet with greater love,
|
2813
|
+
He longs to change you into Him.
|
2814
|
+
Your heart His precious treasure is,
|
2815
|
+
His happiness, His joy supreme.
|
2816
|
+
Noel! Noel! from heaven He comes,
|
2817
|
+
To fill your soul with glorious light;
|
2818
|
+
The Lamb of God to you descends,
|
2819
|
+
Now be His pure white host to-night!
|
2820
|
+
Ah! the wicked world despises
|
2821
|
+
Love that Jesus feels for men;
|
2822
|
+
And His heavenly eyes are moistened
|
2823
|
+
With hot bitter tears for them;
|
2824
|
+
And His little arms He stretches,
|
2825
|
+
Dearest Sister, unto you.
|
2826
|
+
Shall I tell you what the comfort
|
2827
|
+
That I think He seems to sue?
|
2828
|
+
See! His look is asking of you,
|
2829
|
+
And His sweet eyes seem to say:
|
2830
|
+
Smile on all! That smile suffices
|
2831
|
+
To wipe all My tears away.
|
2832
|
+
Would you like to be the plaything
|
2833
|
+
Of this Child so fair and sweet?
|
2834
|
+
Would you, dear one! like to please Him?
|
2835
|
+
Then lie humbly at His feet.
|
2836
|
+
If He chooses to caress you,
|
2837
|
+
If He lifts you to His breast,
|
2838
|
+
Yes, if He seems tired of you,
|
2839
|
+
Count yourself among the blest.
|
2840
|
+
Be His happy Christmas plaything,
|
2841
|
+
Seeking just to do His will;
|
2842
|
+
And in heaven with countless blessings
|
2843
|
+
He, your happy heart, will fill.
|
2844
|
+
Oft I see the Baby Jesus
|
2845
|
+
Wakeful in His manger bed.
|
2846
|
+
Would you know the reason? Dear ones,
|
2847
|
+
There's no pillow for His head.
|
2848
|
+
Ah! I know your ardent longing
|
2849
|
+
To console Him night and day.
|
2850
|
+
Give your heart to be His pillow,
|
2851
|
+
That is what He wants alway;
|
2852
|
+
And be ever meek and humble,
|
2853
|
+
Then you will be greatly blest.
|
2854
|
+
You will hear Him softly saying:
|
2855
|
+
In your heart how sweet My rest!
|
2856
|
+
All the earth with snow is covered,
|
2857
|
+
Everywhere the white frosts reign;
|
2858
|
+
Winter and his gloomy courtiers
|
2859
|
+
Hold their court on earth again.
|
2860
|
+
But for you has bloomed the Flower
|
2861
|
+
Of the fields, Who comes to earth
|
2862
|
+
From the fatherland of heaven,
|
2863
|
+
Where eternal spring has birth.
|
2864
|
+
Near the Rose of Christmas, Sister!
|
2865
|
+
In the lowly grasses hide,
|
2866
|
+
And be like the humble flowerets, --
|
2867
|
+
Of heaven's King the lowly bride!
|
2868
|
+
Day by day, at morn and even,
|
2869
|
+
Still the holy words are said:
|
2870
|
+
O our Father up in Heaven!
|
2871
|
+
Give to us our daily bread,
|
2872
|
+
Yet your God, become your Brother,
|
2873
|
+
Suffers hunger as you do;
|
2874
|
+
And His childish voice is asking
|
2875
|
+
For a little bread from you.
|
2876
|
+
Ah! my Sister! Jesus wishes
|
2877
|
+
Just your love, -- how great your bliss!
|
2878
|
+
Let your soul be pure and spotless,
|
2879
|
+
For His daily bread is this.
|
2880
|
+
Children like to have you place them,
|
2881
|
+
Near a mirror clear and fair;
|
2882
|
+
Then they greet with childish rapture
|
2883
|
+
The bright face that they see there.
|
2884
|
+
Come, then, to the favored stable,
|
2885
|
+
Let your soul like crystal glow.
|
2886
|
+
Let the Word, become an Infant,
|
2887
|
+
In your heart His likeness know!
|
2888
|
+
Sister, be the living image,
|
2889
|
+
Of your Spouse, -- His mirror clear;
|
2890
|
+
All the beauty of your Jesus
|
2891
|
+
He would have in you appear.
|
2892
|
+
The great and noble of the earth,
|
2893
|
+
In palaces they proudly dwell;
|
2894
|
+
The poor and lonely find their home
|
2895
|
+
In hut, in cabin, and in cell.
|
2896
|
+
So in a humble cattle-shed
|
2897
|
+
The Christ-Child lies, this Christmas night;
|
2898
|
+
Leaving His palace in the skies,
|
2899
|
+
He veils His glory's dazzling light.
|
2900
|
+
Your heart loves poverty, I know;
|
2901
|
+
You count yourself divinely blest;
|
2902
|
+
So Jesus finds a palace-home
|
2903
|
+
Within your humble, happy breast.
|
2904
|
+
Sinners will crown with thorns, one day
|
2905
|
+
The holy, heavenly head of Christ.
|
2906
|
+
What pains and sorrows will be His,
|
2907
|
+
To gain us graces all unpriced.
|
2908
|
+
Now may your virginal sweet soul
|
2909
|
+
Make Him to-night His woes forget;
|
2910
|
+
And for His royal lily-crown
|
2911
|
+
Your Sisters' souls before Him set!
|
2912
|
+
Draw very near to Jesus' throne,
|
2913
|
+
To charm His lovely tear-dimmed eyes;
|
2914
|
+
Make of these virgin souls His crown
|
2915
|
+
Of snow-white lilies beyond price!
|
2916
|
+
Sister dear, the little ones
|
2917
|
+
Like so much the sweet bonbons!
|
2918
|
+
Bring some then, and quickly fill
|
2919
|
+
Jesus' small white hand to-night!
|
2920
|
+
By His smile He doth invite
|
2921
|
+
You to do His childish will.
|
2922
|
+
This wee King, so frail, so weak,
|
2923
|
+
Carmel's candies He doth seek; --
|
2924
|
+
What they are, you surely guess!
|
2925
|
+
Give Him your austerity
|
2926
|
+
And your holy poverty, --
|
2927
|
+
He your gift will quickly bless.
|
2928
|
+
Little Jesus, dear, from you
|
2929
|
+
Nothing more doth softly sue
|
2930
|
+
Than a very sweet caress.
|
2931
|
+
Give Him all your love to-day,
|
2932
|
+
And your gift He will repay;
|
2933
|
+
With His love your soul will bless.
|
2934
|
+
If a Sister weep to-night,
|
2935
|
+
Sore at heart where all are bright,
|
2936
|
+
Ah! at once, with tenderness,
|
2937
|
+
Beg the little Holy Child
|
2938
|
+
That His small hand undefiled
|
2939
|
+
Dry her tears with its caress.
|
2940
|
+
Many hearts God's favors want,
|
2941
|
+
Would have Jesus always grant
|
2942
|
+
Gifts and presents without end.
|
2943
|
+
If He seem awhile to sleep,
|
2944
|
+
Few their watch beside Him keep;
|
2945
|
+
Few remain His faithful friend.
|
2946
|
+
Get Him sleep that none may break;
|
2947
|
+
Though we know His Heart doth wake;
|
2948
|
+
Even in dreams our Jesus weeps.
|
2949
|
+
So His cradle, Sister, be!
|
2950
|
+
Guard the sweet Lamb tenderly,
|
2951
|
+
Smiling on Him while He sleeps.
|
2952
|
+
See the dear Child's tiny hand
|
2953
|
+
Point -- to make you understand --
|
2954
|
+
At the rough and rasping straw.
|
2955
|
+
Won't you grant His wish to-night,
|
2956
|
+
And bring linens pure and white,
|
2957
|
+
O'er His manger-bed to draw?
|
2958
|
+
Make excuses kind and true,
|
2959
|
+
Whatsoe'er your Sisters do,
|
2960
|
+
Loving all for Christ their King.
|
2961
|
+
Thus your ardent charity,
|
2962
|
+
And your true simplicity,
|
2963
|
+
Are the linens you can bring.
|
2964
|
+
Our sweet Jesus, Fire of love,
|
2965
|
+
Light and Warmth of heaven above,
|
2966
|
+
In the stable, cold is He!
|
2967
|
+
Yet, in the far, shining sky,
|
2968
|
+
Angels, living flames on high,
|
2969
|
+
Wait on Him in ecstasy.
|
2970
|
+
Here on earth tis you must light
|
2971
|
+
Blazing fires of love to-night,
|
2972
|
+
In your heart, all free from sin;
|
2973
|
+
Little shivering Jesus warm
|
2974
|
+
In the shelter of your arm,
|
2975
|
+
By the souls your prayers shall win!
|
2976
|
+
Well we know that children small
|
2977
|
+
Eagerly for cakes will call!
|
2978
|
+
This dear Child will not disdain
|
2979
|
+
Even such a gift to-night!
|
2980
|
+
Offer it with great delight;
|
2981
|
+
You His happy smile will gain.
|
2982
|
+
Know you what to this Child-King
|
2983
|
+
Real content will surely bring?
|
2984
|
+
'Tis obedience prompt and true.
|
2985
|
+
As He bowed to Mary's will,
|
2986
|
+
So do you the rule fulfil, --
|
2987
|
+
Such the cake He asks of you.
|
2988
|
+
In the pretty floweret's cup,
|
2989
|
+
When the morning sun comes up,
|
2990
|
+
You can see the tiny bee,
|
2991
|
+
Flitting fast through summer hours,
|
2992
|
+
Visiting the woodland bowers,
|
2993
|
+
Gathering honey steadily.
|
2994
|
+
Ah! of love your treasure make;
|
2995
|
+
And, each day, for Christ's dear sake,
|
2996
|
+
To His holy cradle come.
|
2997
|
+
All the honey of your love
|
2998
|
+
Give, sweet bee! to this meek Dove;
|
2999
|
+
Make His Heart your hive and home!
|
3000
|
+
Would you charm the Lamb of God?
|
3001
|
+
In the path that He hath trod
|
3002
|
+
Tread to-day with willing feet!
|
3003
|
+
Leaving all things here below,
|
3004
|
+
Seek alone His will to know;
|
3005
|
+
Do His will surpassing sweet!
|
3006
|
+
O my Sister! be His own;
|
3007
|
+
Seek for naught but God alone!
|
3008
|
+
He will give you perfect rest.
|
3009
|
+
Mary, leaning o'er His bed,
|
3010
|
+
Will see another childish head,
|
3011
|
+
Close to His, and oh! how blest.
|
3012
|
+
The Angel, taking again the Child Jesus in his arms, sings whatfollows:
|
3013
|
+
The dear Child Jesus thanks you all,
|
3014
|
+
For all your gifts, this Christmas night;
|
3015
|
+
And all your names His tiny hand
|
3016
|
+
Within His book of life will write.
|
3017
|
+
Since in this Carmel He hath found
|
3018
|
+
Such joy and peace,
|
3019
|
+
Rewards in heaven He'll store for you,
|
3020
|
+
That shall not cease.
|
3021
|
+
And if you ever faithful are
|
3022
|
+
To all the vows you make to-night,
|
3023
|
+
Then love will give you wings to fly
|
3024
|
+
Unto a far sublimer height.
|
3025
|
+
One day, in heaven's dear fatherland,
|
3026
|
+
Your exile o'er,
|
3027
|
+
Jesus and Mary you shall see
|
3028
|
+
Forevermore!
|
3029
|
+
Thou Word of God, Thou Glory of God!
|
3030
|
+
In awe I gazed on Thee above;
|
3031
|
+
And now I see that Glory of God,
|
3032
|
+
That Word of God, made Man through love.
|
3033
|
+
O Child, whose light doth blind the sight
|
3034
|
+
Of angels in high heaven divine!
|
3035
|
+
Thou'rt come to save the world to-night,
|
3036
|
+
And who can fathom that love of Thine?
|
3037
|
+
In swaddling bands
|
3038
|
+
The Child-God fies.
|
3039
|
+
Lord of all lands!
|
3040
|
+
Trembling before Thy face I veil mine eyes.
|
3041
|
+
Yes, who can fathom this marvellous thing?
|
3042
|
+
God makes Himself a little Child,
|
3043
|
+
He, the eternal, almighty King,
|
3044
|
+
Afar from His own heaven exiled!
|
3045
|
+
Fain would I give Thee love for love!
|
3046
|
+
Thee will I guard by day and night,
|
3047
|
+
My utter fealty to prove,
|
3048
|
+
Thou tiny Jesu, Light of Light!
|
3049
|
+
Thy cradle so dear
|
3050
|
+
Draws angels anear.
|
3051
|
+
O Child-God! now
|
3052
|
+
Trembling before that humble crib I bow.
|
3053
|
+
While earth has power from heaven to bring
|
3054
|
+
My King to want and cold and woe,
|
3055
|
+
Heaven holds no longer anything
|
3056
|
+
To keep me from that world below.
|
3057
|
+
My wings shall shield Thy Baby-head;
|
3058
|
+
Thee will I follow everywhere;
|
3059
|
+
Beneath Thy tiny feet I'll fling
|
3060
|
+
The sweetest flowers and most fair.
|
3061
|
+
Oh, would some radiant star might fall,
|
3062
|
+
To form Thy cradle, Baby bright!
|
3063
|
+
Would I the dazzling snow could call,
|
3064
|
+
To be Thy curtains pure and white!
|
3065
|
+
Would all the lofty hills might bow
|
3066
|
+
In lowly homage at Thy feet!
|
3067
|
+
Oh, would the fields might bloom for Thee,
|
3068
|
+
Celestial blossoms heavenly sweet!
|
3069
|
+
For all the flowers are smiles of God,
|
3070
|
+
Are distant echoes from His throne,
|
3071
|
+
Are notes that wander far abroad
|
3072
|
+
From that great harp He holds alone.
|
3073
|
+
Those notes of harmony divine
|
3074
|
+
Relate His goodness unto men,
|
3075
|
+
And in their melody combine
|
3076
|
+
To tell His saving love again.
|
3077
|
+
O that sweet melody,
|
3078
|
+
Exquisite harmony,
|
3079
|
+
Silence of flowers!
|
3080
|
+
Ye tell His greatness, His wonders, His powers!
|
3081
|
+
Well know I, Jesu! that Thy friends,
|
3082
|
+
Thy dearest friends, are living flowers.
|
3083
|
+
Thou travellest to earth's farthest ends,
|
3084
|
+
To cull them for heaven's fadeless bowers.
|
3085
|
+
Souls are the flowers with beauty rife
|
3086
|
+
That draw Thee from the heavens high;
|
3087
|
+
Thy tiny hand first gave them life,
|
3088
|
+
And Thou for them wilt gladly die.
|
3089
|
+
Mystery ineffable!
|
3090
|
+
Thou, Word adorable,
|
3091
|
+
Surely shalt one day weep
|
3092
|
+
When Thou the harvest of those flowers shalt reap.
|
3093
|
+
Yes, from the morning of Thy days, dear Child!
|
3094
|
+
Thy blessed Face is bathed in burning tears.
|
3095
|
+
Those tears upon that Face all undefiled
|
3096
|
+
Still shall flow on throughout Thy earthly years.
|
3097
|
+
O Face divine!
|
3098
|
+
So fair Thou art
|
3099
|
+
From angel eyes
|
3100
|
+
The glories of the skies depart.
|
3101
|
+
Under its veil of anguish sore and dread,
|
3102
|
+
I see Thy loveliness all charms above;
|
3103
|
+
In Thy worn, pallid Face, O Jesu dead!
|
3104
|
+
I see Thy Child-face in its perfect love.
|
3105
|
+
For pain to Thee, my Jesus! was so dear
|
3106
|
+
That even Thy Baby-eyes the future saw,
|
3107
|
+
And Thou didst long to drink the chalice drear,
|
3108
|
+
Thy very dreams could Thee to Calvary draw.
|
3109
|
+
O wonderful dream!
|
3110
|
+
Thou Child of a day,
|
3111
|
+
From Thy face but one beam
|
3112
|
+
Thrills my heart with its ray.
|
3113
|
+
Angel of man's Redeemer! weep no more.
|
3114
|
+
I come with comfort for sad hearts and sore.
|
3115
|
+
This Child shall yet gain
|
3116
|
+
All men's hearts as their King;
|
3117
|
+
He shall arise and reign
|
3118
|
+
Almighty, triumphing.
|
3119
|
+
O God! concealed in childish guise before us,
|
3120
|
+
I see Thee glorious,
|
3121
|
+
O'er all things victorious.
|
3122
|
+
I shall roll back the great tomb's rocky door,
|
3123
|
+
I shall behold Thy lovely Face once more,
|
3124
|
+
And I shall sing,
|
3125
|
+
And I shall then rejoice,
|
3126
|
+
When I shall see my King,
|
3127
|
+
And hear again His voice.
|
3128
|
+
Thy childish eyes, though dim to-night with tears,
|
3129
|
+
Shall shine with heavenly light throughout the eternal years.
|
3130
|
+
O Word of God!
|
3131
|
+
Thy speech, like burning flame,
|
3132
|
+
Shall sound one day abroad,
|
3133
|
+
And all Thy love proclaim.
|
3134
|
+
Gaze on, dear Angel, heavenward-flown,
|
3135
|
+
Gaze, while our King ascends on high;
|
3136
|
+
But I, to seek His altar-throne,
|
3137
|
+
Down to the distant earth will fly.
|
3138
|
+
Veiled in His Eucharist I see
|
3139
|
+
The Almighty Lord, the Undefiled,
|
3140
|
+
The Master of all things that be,
|
3141
|
+
More tiny than the humblest child.
|
3142
|
+
Here will I dwell in this biest piace,
|
3143
|
+
The sanctuary of my King;
|
3144
|
+
And here, before His veiled Face,
|
3145
|
+
My hymns of ardent love will sing.
|
3146
|
+
Here, to my heaven-strung angel-lyre,
|
3147
|
+
My praise I'll chant, by night, by day,
|
3148
|
+
To Him, the Feast for saint's desire,
|
3149
|
+
To Him, the sinner's Hope and Stay.
|
3150
|
+
Would that by miracle, I too
|
3151
|
+
Could feed upon this heavenly Bread;
|
3152
|
+
Could taste that Blood forever new,
|
3153
|
+
That Blood which was for all men shed!
|
3154
|
+
At least, with some pure longing soul,
|
3155
|
+
I'll share my fires of love divine,
|
3156
|
+
That so, all fearless, glad and whole,
|
3157
|
+
It may approach its Lord and mine.
|
3158
|
+
Soon shall the awful day of judgment come,
|
3159
|
+
This wicked world shall feel the avenging flame;
|
3160
|
+
All men shall hear pronounced their endless doom,
|
3161
|
+
And these to bliss shall pass, and those to shame.
|
3162
|
+
Then shall we see our God in glory bright,
|
3163
|
+
No longer hidden in this cradle small;
|
3164
|
+
Then shall we sing His triumph after fight,
|
3165
|
+
And then proclaim Him Lord and King of all.
|
3166
|
+
As stars shine out when furious storms are passed,
|
3167
|
+
His eyes shall shine, now veiled in blood and tears;
|
3168
|
+
And His eternal splendor shall at last
|
3169
|
+
Appear again, after these anguished years.
|
3170
|
+
Upon the clouds our Jesus shall be borne,
|
3171
|
+
Beneath the standard of the cross on high;
|
3172
|
+
And evil men who hailed Him once in scorn
|
3173
|
+
Shall know their awful judge is drawing nigh.
|
3174
|
+
Ah, ye shall tremble, habitants of earth!
|
3175
|
+
Ah, ye shall tremble on that final day,
|
3176
|
+
No longer able to withstand the wroth
|
3177
|
+
Of this dear Child, the God of love to-day.
|
3178
|
+
For you He chose to tread the path of pain,
|
3179
|
+
Seeking your hearts alone, to Him so dear:
|
3180
|
+
But when at last He comes to earth again,
|
3181
|
+
How shall ye quail before His Face in fear!
|
3182
|
+
O Jesu, deign to hear the prayer,
|
3183
|
+
That we, Thy Angels offer Thee!
|
3184
|
+
Thy people save, Thy people spare,
|
3185
|
+
Thou who didst come the world to free!
|
3186
|
+
With Thy small hand avert this dart,
|
3187
|
+
Appease this Angel with the sword;
|
3188
|
+
Save every meek and contrite heart
|
3189
|
+
That seeks Thy mercy, dearest Lord!
|
3190
|
+
My faithful Angels, tried and true!
|
3191
|
+
Far from the heavenland of your birth,
|
3192
|
+
Hear, for the first time, speak to you
|
3193
|
+
The Eternal Word made Man on earth!
|
3194
|
+
I love you well, O spirits pure!
|
3195
|
+
Angels from heaven's high courts above!
|
3196
|
+
Yet men I love with love as sure,
|
3197
|
+
Yea, with an everlasting love.
|
3198
|
+
I made their infinite desires,
|
3199
|
+
Their souls were made at My decree;
|
3200
|
+
A heart that kindles with My fires
|
3201
|
+
Becomes a heaven on earth for Me.
|
3202
|
+
Dear Angel of My childhood's hours!
|
3203
|
+
I grant the answer to thy prayer.
|
3204
|
+
Many shall be the innocent flowers
|
3205
|
+
I will preserve all lily-fair.
|
3206
|
+
Yes, I will cull those blossoms gay,
|
3207
|
+
Fresh with their pure baptismal dew;
|
3208
|
+
And they shall bloom in endless day,
|
3209
|
+
In ecstasy forever new.
|
3210
|
+
Their fair corollas, silvery bright,
|
3211
|
+
More brilliant than a thousand fires,
|
3212
|
+
Shall be the Milky Way of light
|
3213
|
+
'Mid all the starry heavenly choirs.
|
3214
|
+
I must have lilies for My crown, --
|
3215
|
+
The Lily of the Field am I!
|
3216
|
+
And I must have to grace my throne,
|
3217
|
+
A sheaf of lilies in the sky.
|
3218
|
+
The Angel of the Holy Face asks pardon for sinners.
|
3219
|
+
Thou who dost gaze upon My Face
|
3220
|
+
In ecstasy of seraph love,
|
3221
|
+
Leaving for love of it thy place
|
3222
|
+
Of glory in My heaven above!
|
3223
|
+
Thy prayer I hear, I grant thy plea.
|
3224
|
+
Each soul that on My name shall call
|
3225
|
+
Shall find relief, shall be set free
|
3226
|
+
From Sin's dark curse, from Satan's thrall.
|
3227
|
+
Thou who dost seek to honor here
|
3228
|
+
My Cross, My Passion, My bruised Face:
|
3229
|
+
Learn now this mystery, angel dear!
|
3230
|
+
Each soul that suffers shares thy grace.
|
3231
|
+
The radiance of its pain borne now,
|
3232
|
+
In heaven upon thy face shall shine;
|
3233
|
+
The martyr's halo decks thy brow,
|
3234
|
+
His glory shall be drawn from thine.
|
3235
|
+
Dear Angel of the Eucharist!
|
3236
|
+
Thou, thou dost charm Me every hour;
|
3237
|
+
Thy song, by heaven's own breezes kissed,
|
3238
|
+
Over My suffering soul hath power.
|
3239
|
+
Ah, the great thirst of My desires!
|
3240
|
+
I crave, I crave, the hearts of men.
|
3241
|
+
Dear Angel, melt them with thy fires,
|
3242
|
+
And win them to My Heart again!
|
3243
|
+
Would each anointed priest might be
|
3244
|
+
Like Seraphim beyond the skies,
|
3245
|
+
What time he comes to offer Me
|
3246
|
+
My pure and holy Sacrifice!
|
3247
|
+
To work such miracle of grace,
|
3248
|
+
It needs must be that night and day,
|
3249
|
+
Souls near the attar seek a place
|
3250
|
+
To watch and suffer, weep and pray.
|
3251
|
+
Back to My Father I shall go,
|
3252
|
+
Thither to draw the men I love;
|
3253
|
+
And heaven's long bliss they then shall know,
|
3254
|
+
When I shall welcome them above.
|
3255
|
+
When the last hour of time appears,
|
3256
|
+
My flock shall come again to Me;
|
3257
|
+
And I shall be, for endless years,
|
3258
|
+
Their Light, their Life, their Ecstasy
|
3259
|
+
Goodness supreme! and dost Thou then forget
|
3260
|
+
Sinners must meet at last, the doom decreed?
|
3261
|
+
Dost Thou forget, in Thy great love, that yet,
|
3262
|
+
Their number is nigh infinite indeed?
|
3263
|
+
At the last judgment I shall punish crime,
|
3264
|
+
Evil before My wrath shall shrink and bow;
|
3265
|
+
My sword is ready . . . Jesu! tis the time.
|
3266
|
+
My sword is ready to avenge Thee now.
|
3267
|
+
Great Angel, turn aside thy sword
|
3268
|
+
I am the Messenger of Peace.
|
3269
|
+
The nature taken by thy Lord
|
3270
|
+
'Tis not thy work to judge. O cease!
|
3271
|
+
Tis I shall judge the human race,
|
3272
|
+
Jesus My name, all names above.
|
3273
|
+
I grant My elect ones boundless grace.
|
3274
|
+
For men I died, and I am Love!
|
3275
|
+
Dost thou not know that, every day,
|
3276
|
+
The blasphemies of faithless lips
|
3277
|
+
Before one love-glance pass away,
|
3278
|
+
And find therein assured eclipse?
|
3279
|
+
The souls I choose, the souls I spare,
|
3280
|
+
Shall reign in glory like the sun.
|
3281
|
+
Tis Mine own life I give them there,
|
3282
|
+
And they and I shall there be one.
|
3283
|
+
Before Thee, Child divine, the Cherubim bow lowly,
|
3284
|
+
Lost in amaze as they Thy love all boundless see.
|
3285
|
+
Fain would we die like Thee, on Calvary's summit holy,
|
3286
|
+
Fain would we die like Thee!
|
3287
|
+
REFRAIN.
|
3288
|
+
Sung by all the Angels.
|
3289
|
+
How great the bliss of man, Thy low and humble creature.
|
3290
|
+
In ecstasy would fain each seraph undefiled
|
3291
|
+
Put off, O Jesus sweet, his grand angelic nature,
|
3292
|
+
Would fain become a child!
|
3293
|
+
Happy, happy am I,
|
3294
|
+
Jeanne the shepherdess!
|
3295
|
+
How swift my lambkins fly
|
3296
|
+
To meet my kind caress.
|
3297
|
+
How light my little crook;
|
3298
|
+
How cool this verdant grove,
|
3299
|
+
Beside whose babbling brook
|
3300
|
+
In solitude I rove.
|
3301
|
+
A lovely crown I weave
|
3302
|
+
Of field-flowers, fair and sweet;
|
3303
|
+
What joy is mine to leave
|
3304
|
+
That crown at Mary's feet!
|
3305
|
+
Oh, how I love the flowers,
|
3306
|
+
The birds, the rippling stream
|
3307
|
+
The skies above these bowers
|
3308
|
+
As fair as angel's dream.
|
3309
|
+
The valleys and the rills
|
3310
|
+
Rejoice my longing eyes;
|
3311
|
+
The summits of the hills,
|
3312
|
+
They seem to touch the skies!
|
3313
|
+
But hark! What voices come
|
3314
|
+
Upon the evening breeze?
|
3315
|
+
Do angels seek my home
|
3316
|
+
With melodies like these?
|
3317
|
+
I question air and space,
|
3318
|
+
I gaze into the skies;
|
3319
|
+
And yet no slightest trace
|
3320
|
+
Of angels greets my eyes.
|
3321
|
+
Ah, past those clouds that bar
|
3322
|
+
And veil them from my sight,
|
3323
|
+
Would I might fly afar
|
3324
|
+
To realms of radiant light!
|
3325
|
+
Thy pure sweet voice to heaven has pierced, dear child,
|
3326
|
+
From this time forth committed to our care!
|
3327
|
+
Thine angel guardian, ever undefiled,
|
3328
|
+
Has borne to God on high thy earnest prayer.
|
3329
|
+
Down from His heavenly palace we have flown,
|
3330
|
+
From His high court on His eternal hill;
|
3331
|
+
For by our voices He to thee makes known
|
3332
|
+
His holy will.
|
3333
|
+
Thou must go forth to save thy fatherland,
|
3334
|
+
To guard the faith, uphold God's honor here.
|
3335
|
+
Thou as a conqueror in His sight shall stand,
|
3336
|
+
Preserved by Him and His own Mother dear.
|
3337
|
+
Oh, dry thy tears, take comfort, tender heart!
|
3338
|
+
Beyond these clouds gaze into heaven's delight;
|
3339
|
+
In our ecstatic chants thou shalt have part,
|
3340
|
+
Who by God's grace shalt conquer in the fight.
|
3341
|
+
These sweet refrains thy soul shall fortify
|
3342
|
+
Against approaching combat fierce and dire.
|
3343
|
+
Jeanne! thou must suffer. Seek, then, from on high
|
3344
|
+
A love like fire!
|
3345
|
+
For the pure soul, in time's long dreary night,
|
3346
|
+
Its only glory is, Christ's cross to bear;
|
3347
|
+
And, in heaven's endless day, with splendor bright
|
3348
|
+
That cross shall shine all radiant and fair.
|
3349
|
+
Michael am I, the guardian of France,
|
3350
|
+
Great Captain of the armies of the skies;
|
3351
|
+
Against hell's troops I march with sword and lance,
|
3352
|
+
And the old serpent glares with curious eyes.
|
3353
|
+
Once Satan far above the starry world
|
3354
|
+
Desired to reign, higher than seraphs trod;
|
3355
|
+
But, like a thunderbolt, at him I hurled
|
3356
|
+
These words: " Oh, who is like to God!
|
3357
|
+
At that same moment vengeance, dread, divine,
|
3358
|
+
Oped hell's abyss and thither thrust him deep.
|
3359
|
+
For that proud fallen angel, ah! no mercies shine;
|
3360
|
+
For him, what eyes shall weep?
|
3361
|
+
Pride tore down Satan from his lofty place,
|
3362
|
+
And of that morning-star an outcast made;
|
3363
|
+
But when man, too, had trifled with God's grace,
|
3364
|
+
Pity and comfort were to him displayed.
|
3365
|
+
The Eternal Word, the Father's Equal Son,
|
3366
|
+
Clothing Himself with poor humanity,
|
3367
|
+
Back to His Father's heart the exiles won
|
3368
|
+
By His profound humility.
|
3369
|
+
Now that same Saviour deigns to succor France
|
3370
|
+
But not by any mighty soldier's hand.
|
3371
|
+
He hath cast down the proud; He gives the conquering lance
|
3372
|
+
Unto a child's frail hand.
|
3373
|
+
Jeanne! God has chosen thee His work to do.
|
3374
|
+
Thou must depart, obedient to His call;
|
3375
|
+
Unto thy fields, thy flocks, must bid adieu,
|
3376
|
+
To this dear vale, these woods, thy home, thy all.
|
3377
|
+
Be strong, go forth and save thy fatherland!
|
3378
|
+
Go forth -- fear naught; all danger now despise!
|
3379
|
+
Go! in my might beside thee I shall stand.
|
3380
|
+
See how the foe before thee flies!
|
3381
|
+
Take thou this sword and bear it to the fray; --
|
3382
|
+
Long hath God kept it for thy hand to bring.
|
3383
|
+
Take for thy standard, child! this pure white flag to-day;
|
3384
|
+
Then go, -- and find the king!
|
3385
|
+
For Thee alone, O God, I quit my father's side,
|
3386
|
+
I leave my cherished friends, my parish-church so dear,
|
3387
|
+
For Thee I leave my flocks, my valleys green and wide,
|
3388
|
+
My peaceful home, -- to fight. Forgive me, if I fear!
|
3389
|
+
Instead of my white lambs, I must lead armed men;
|
3390
|
+
To Thee I sacrifice my joy, my eighteen years.
|
3391
|
+
I shall not see, alas! these flowery fields again;
|
3392
|
+
To serve Thee, Lord, I go, mid shields and swords and spears.
|
3393
|
+
My voice, that mingles now with the soft breezes' breath,
|
3394
|
+
Shall soon resound amid war's clamors wild and drear;
|
3395
|
+
The piercing, frightful cries of battle and of death,
|
3396
|
+
Instead of sweet church-bells, shall reach my straining car.
|
3397
|
+
Yet, I desire the cross; the sacrifice is light;
|
3398
|
+
To suffer for Thee, Lord, ready and glad am I.
|
3399
|
+
Now deign to call Thy child to this sublime delight!
|
3400
|
+
Jesus, my Love, my All, for Thee I long to die.
|
3401
|
+
Thou must depart, O Jeanne! the time has come.
|
3402
|
+
It is the Lord Who arms thee for the fray.
|
3403
|
+
Soon shalt thou see our blest, eternal home!
|
3404
|
+
Daughter of God! fear not to die to-day.
|
3405
|
+
Thou, child, with Him shalt reign above.
|
3406
|
+
Wherever goes the Lamb, thy virgin soul shall go.
|
3407
|
+
Like us, thou, too, shalt sing the love
|
3408
|
+
And power of God most high, where crystal streamlets flow.
|
3409
|
+
Thy name, O Jeanne! on heaven's scroll is placed,
|
3410
|
+
With all who died that France might live for aye;
|
3411
|
+
There shall thy brow with glory's crown be graced,
|
3412
|
+
Like royal queen upon her nuptial day.
|
3413
|
+
With joy our loving eyes can see
|
3414
|
+
The radiance that even now upon thy head streams down;
|
3415
|
+
And from high heaven we bring to thee
|
3416
|
+
The martyr's glorious palm,
|
3417
|
+
The martyr's crown.
|
3418
|
+
Before the victory must come the fight,
|
3419
|
+
Not yet the crown, not yet the palm can be.
|
3420
|
+
Win them where honor doth defend the right.
|
3421
|
+
Jeanne! dost thou hear the bugle call to thee?
|
3422
|
+
Thee will we guard throughout the fray;
|
3423
|
+
And splendid victories shall thy banner grace.
|
3424
|
+
On thy pure brow, one happy day,
|
3425
|
+
Our hand the glorious aureole shall place.
|
3426
|
+
With you, dear saints, no foe I fear;
|
3427
|
+
Upon the Lord of hosts I wait.
|
3428
|
+
What time the battle draweth near,
|
3429
|
+
His arm shall send deliverance great.
|
3430
|
+
Oh, how I love my fatherland,
|
3431
|
+
France, oldest daughter of the cross;
|
3432
|
+
That love to sacrifice is fanned;
|
3433
|
+
For her I count as gain all loss.
|
3434
|
+
Ah, no! I fear not now to die,
|
3435
|
+
Who long, dear God, Thy Face to see;
|
3436
|
+
Yet, as I go, oh ! hear my cry:
|
3437
|
+
Comfort my mother tenderly!
|
3438
|
+
And thou, St. Michael, strengthen me.
|
3439
|
+
Hark! for already all the elect in heaven
|
3440
|
+
Raise high their joyous chant, because they hear
|
3441
|
+
The illustrious name of Martyr gladly given,
|
3442
|
+
By Rome's great Pontiff, to this maiden dear.
|
3443
|
+
I hear the universe declare
|
3444
|
+
The virtues of this maid in warlike armor drest;
|
3445
|
+
I hear God grant to her the rare
|
3446
|
+
And grand and glorious title, Jeanne the Blest.
|
3447
|
+
In those great days sore suff'ring France shall know,
|
3448
|
+
And impious deeds shall make her fail and faint.
|
3449
|
+
Then shall thy glory, Jeanne, more splendid grow,
|
3450
|
+
And all pure souls shall then invoke the Saint.
|
3451
|
+
The voices mount towards the skies,
|
3452
|
+
Mingling with angel-choirs, whose songs our hopes enhance.
|
3453
|
+
O Jeanne of Arc, now hear our cries!
|
3454
|
+
A second time, a second time, save France!
|
3455
|
+
All honor and all glory be
|
3456
|
+
To Thee, the Eternal King of kings!
|
3457
|
+
For Thou hast given the victory
|
3458
|
+
To me, a frail and feeble thing.
|
3459
|
+
And thou, dear Mother, pure as snow,
|
3460
|
+
Most lovely star, sublimely bright!
|
3461
|
+
Oh, thou hast been my light below,
|
3462
|
+
Protecting me in danger's night.
|
3463
|
+
Thou, Queen, whose glories ne'er shall fail,
|
3464
|
+
When shall mine eyes thy splendors see?
|
3465
|
+
When shall I rest beneath thy veil,
|
3466
|
+
Never again to part from thee?
|
3467
|
+
Hail, Mary! Holy Mother, hail!
|
3468
|
+
My exiled spirit fain would fly
|
3469
|
+
To heavenly joys that have no end;
|
3470
|
+
Naught here its needs can satisfy, --
|
3471
|
+
It craves for God, its perfect Friend.
|
3472
|
+
But, ere that sweet reward begin,
|
3473
|
+
I long to combat for Him here,
|
3474
|
+
For Him unnumbered souls to win,
|
3475
|
+
And find Him dearer and more dear.
|
3476
|
+
My exile here will pass away,
|
3477
|
+
As the day passes and is gone;
|
3478
|
+
Then, up the radiant, sunlit way,
|
3479
|
+
My happy soul shall hasten on,
|
3480
|
+
To see my God in endless day.
|
3481
|
+
My voices this foretold: I am a prisoner here,
|
3482
|
+
No aid can I expect, except, my God, from Thee;
|
3483
|
+
For love of Thee alone, I left my father dear;
|
3484
|
+
My flower-decked fields, blue skies, my flocks, no more I see.
|
3485
|
+
For Thee I left my home and her who gave me birth;
|
3486
|
+
Then, lifting in my hand the standard of Thy choice,
|
3487
|
+
Lord, in Thy holy Name, I led an army forth,
|
3488
|
+
And far-famed generals then gave credence to my voice.
|
3489
|
+
Behold my recompense -- this gloomy prison-place,
|
3490
|
+
The price of all my toils, my prayers, my blood, my tears!
|
3491
|
+
No more my flowery fields my longing eyes shall face,
|
3492
|
+
Nor shall I see the home of all my childhood years.
|
3493
|
+
No more shall I behold the mountains far away,
|
3494
|
+
Whose distant summits seemed to pierce the azure sky;
|
3495
|
+
And I shall hear no more the church-bells sweetly play.
|
3496
|
+
How soft upon the air those holy notes swept by!
|
3497
|
+
Here, in this gloomy cell, the star I seek in vain,
|
3498
|
+
That used, at vesper hour, to shine so clear and fair;
|
3499
|
+
In vain I seek the leaves, that when upon the plain
|
3500
|
+
Beside my flock I slept, gave cooling shelter there.
|
3501
|
+
Here, when at last I sleep after long bitter weeping,
|
3502
|
+
Of morning's flowers I dream, and perfumes of the dawn;
|
3503
|
+
But then my clanking chains disturb that happy sleeping, --
|
3504
|
+
I wake -- my dream is past -- the verdant fields are gone.
|
3505
|
+
Lord, for Thy love I go, martyrdom to embrace;
|
3506
|
+
For Thee I dare to meet the lingering death of fire.
|
3507
|
+
Now but one wish is mine, -- to see Thee face to face,
|
3508
|
+
No more to part from Thee: -- behold my heart's desire!
|
3509
|
+
To die for love of Thee, -- what happier lot than this?
|
3510
|
+
I will take up my cross, and walk where Thou hast trod.
|
3511
|
+
Ah! how I long to die, and enter into bliss!
|
3512
|
+
Ah! how I long to die, and thus to see my God!
|
3513
|
+
We have come down from heaven's eternal height,
|
3514
|
+
To smile on thee and bear thee to thy rest.
|
3515
|
+
See in our hands the immortal crown of light,
|
3516
|
+
Designed to grace thy brow, O maiden blest!
|
3517
|
+
Come with us, virgin pure and fair!
|
3518
|
+
Oh! come where saints and martyrs trod;
|
3519
|
+
Come unto joys beyond compare,
|
3520
|
+
Come unto life most fair,
|
3521
|
+
Daughter of God!
|
3522
|
+
Hot burns the fire about thy tender frame,
|
3523
|
+
But far more hotly burns thy holy love;
|
3524
|
+
Soon Christ will call thee to Him by thy name,
|
3525
|
+
And heavenly dews shall soothe thee from above.
|
3526
|
+
An angel comes to set thee free
|
3527
|
+
From every pain; from torture wild.
|
3528
|
+
Behold, the palm descends to thee!
|
3529
|
+
Look up! thy Saviour see,
|
3530
|
+
Great-hearted child!
|
3531
|
+
O virgin-martyr! one brief moment's pain
|
3532
|
+
Thee shall conduct to heaven beside thy Lord.
|
3533
|
+
Thy death saves France. See! heaven opes again
|
3534
|
+
To her lost children ransomed by thy sword.
|
3535
|
+
To my eternal home I fly;
|
3536
|
+
Angelic faces meet my view
|
3537
|
+
In God's great Name for France I die!
|
3538
|
+
O Mary, now be nigh!
|
3539
|
+
"Jesu! Jesu!"
|
3540
|
+
I answer from My throne thy voice that calls My name.
|
3541
|
+
I break thy iron bands, thy bitter foes I shame.
|
3542
|
+
Fly, fly thou pure white dove, to Me, thy Spouse, thy King!
|
3543
|
+
Come, reign with Me in heaven, where Saints thy praise shall sing.
|
3544
|
+
O Jeanne, thy angel brings thee grace;
|
3545
|
+
And I, the Judge of all thy race,
|
3546
|
+
Beside My own throne give thee place,
|
3547
|
+
And this proclaim:
|
3548
|
+
Even in thee I saw love's holy flame.
|
3549
|
+
Thou shalt be crowned. Oh, come to Me!
|
3550
|
+
Thy tears My hand shall wipe away;
|
3551
|
+
My kiss divine I give to thee;
|
3552
|
+
I crown with joy thy griefs to-day.
|
3553
|
+
With thy companions come
|
3554
|
+
To My eternal home;
|
3555
|
+
In heavenly valleys roam,
|
3556
|
+
Following the Lamb.
|
3557
|
+
Soul, well-beloved by Me,
|
3558
|
+
Lo! I have ransomed thee!
|
3559
|
+
Sing the new song, and be
|
3560
|
+
Where'er I am.
|
3561
|
+
Past is thy fleeting shame!
|
3562
|
+
Angels exalt thy name,
|
3563
|
+
Singing thy saintly fame,
|
3564
|
+
Close to My throne.
|
3565
|
+
Ah, timid shepherdess!
|
3566
|
+
Virgin in warrior's dress!
|
3567
|
+
Thy name the world shall bless,
|
3568
|
+
Heavenward blown.
|
3569
|
+
Ah, timid shepherdess!
|
3570
|
+
Virgin in warrior's dress!
|
3571
|
+
All heaven is now thine own.
|
3572
|
+
The immortal crown to thee, O Jeanne! we bear;
|
3573
|
+
Thou martyr of high God! to thee the palm we bring;
|
3574
|
+
A glorious throne for thee our loving hands prepare,
|
3575
|
+
Beside the King.
|
3576
|
+
Rest now in heaven at last, rest now in heaven, pure bride,
|
3577
|
+
Escaped forevermore from every net and snare!
|
3578
|
+
In endless peace behold! the living waters glide
|
3579
|
+
'Mid fields bestrewn with flowers most fair!
|
3580
|
+
Take thou thy flight; expand thy wings of snow;
|
3581
|
+
For swiftly shalt thou speed from star to golden star.
|
3582
|
+
Through heaven's eternal space, all joyous shalt thou go.
|
3583
|
+
Fly now afar!
|
3584
|
+
No cruel foes are here, no gloomy prison walls;
|
3585
|
+
The shining seraph hosts hail thee their sister blest;
|
3586
|
+
For thee, O spouse of Christ: thy Well-Beloved calls.
|
3587
|
+
Find now with Him eternal rest!
|
3588
|
+
He is my Own . . . . what ecstacy divine!
|
3589
|
+
All heaven is mine own!
|
3590
|
+
All heaven is thine own!
|
3591
|
+
The angels and the saints, Mary and God, are mine.
|
3592
|
+
They are mine own!
|
3593
|
+
Upon the far-off earth ages have passed away,
|
3594
|
+
Since thou didst pass from thence to heaven's eternal joy,
|
3595
|
+
A thousand years in heaven seem but one little day.
|
3596
|
+
O endless day, without alloy!
|
3597
|
+
O endless day, without or cloud or shade,
|
3598
|
+
No power can snatch from me thy glory all divine!
|
3599
|
+
The passing show of earth from off my sight doth fade,
|
3600
|
+
And heaven is mine!
|
3601
|
+
And heaven is thine!
|
3602
|
+
In heaven remember, Jeanne, your fatherland,
|
3603
|
+
Remember all her valleys decked with flowers;
|
3604
|
+
Recall the smiling plains, the mountains grand,
|
3605
|
+
You left, to dry her tears, in other hours.
|
3606
|
+
Remember how your arm saved France from deadly foes;
|
3607
|
+
How, like an angel sent from heaven, you cured her woes!
|
3608
|
+
Hear, in her night of pain,
|
3609
|
+
France call on you again:
|
3610
|
+
Remember now!
|
3611
|
+
Remember those great victories you won,
|
3612
|
+
Rheims, Orleans; those memorable days,
|
3613
|
+
When, in God's name, grand deeds by you were done,
|
3614
|
+
Crowning your land with laurels and with bays.
|
3615
|
+
Now, far away from you, I suffer and I sigh.
|
3616
|
+
Come once again to save, who once for me didst die!
|
3617
|
+
Deign now to break my chains,
|
3618
|
+
And all my present pains
|
3619
|
+
Remember now!
|
3620
|
+
My arms with fetters bound, to you I cry,
|
3621
|
+
Dim are my eyes with tears, oh, bring relief!
|
3622
|
+
No longer great among earth's queens am I,
|
3623
|
+
And mine own children pierce my heart with grief.
|
3624
|
+
No more for God they care; their Mother they despise.
|
3625
|
+
O Jeanne, compassionate my myriad miseries!
|
3626
|
+
Daughter of noble heart,
|
3627
|
+
Oh, come, and take my part.
|
3628
|
+
I hope in thee.
|
3629
|
+
Thy Church, O conquering God! through all the earth,
|
3630
|
+
Begs Thee to crown with the saint's royal crown,
|
3631
|
+
A virgin, martyr, warrior, whose true worth
|
3632
|
+
In heaven's high courts e'en now hath won renown.
|
3633
|
+
Our tumults calm;
|
3634
|
+
Her cause advance!
|
3635
|
+
The halo and the palm
|
3636
|
+
Give unto Jeanne of France!
|
3637
|
+
For guilty France we do not ask from Thee
|
3638
|
+
A mighty conquerer with mail-clad horde.
|
3639
|
+
Far better help Jeanne's prayer can gain than he!
|
3640
|
+
One martyr doth outshine all heroes, Lord!
|
3641
|
+
Jeanne is Thy glorious handiwork alone;
|
3642
|
+
A heart of fire, a soldier's soul of steel,
|
3643
|
+
Thou gavest to Thine handmaid, all Thine own,
|
3644
|
+
With lily and laurel crowned, for woe or weal.
|
3645
|
+
Beside her flock she heard the high command, --
|
3646
|
+
Voices from heaven called her to the fray;
|
3647
|
+
So she left all, to save her fatherland;
|
3648
|
+
Conquered by her, the foe fled far away.
|
3649
|
+
To martial hosts she brought God's saving grace;
|
3650
|
+
Her eyes like heaven, her words like burning flame,
|
3651
|
+
Her holiness like theirs who see God's Face.
|
3652
|
+
Bowed sinful souls in penitence and shame.
|
3653
|
+
(O marvel ne'er before in history told!)
|
3654
|
+
A kingdom's crown and glory all undone,
|
3655
|
+
From the strong grasp of the invaders bold,
|
3656
|
+
By a young maiden's feeble arm are won.
|
3657
|
+
Not thy great victories, O Jeanne so blest!
|
3658
|
+
Thy countrymen to celebrate are come;
|
3659
|
+
But thy true glories here they would attest,
|
3660
|
+
Thy purity, thy love, thy martyrdom.
|
3661
|
+
Though she saved France, hers was yet loftier grace,
|
3662
|
+
The gift Christ gave to those who loved Him best,
|
3663
|
+
Beside His cross to have the nearest place,
|
3664
|
+
He gave to Jeanne, before He gave her rest.
|
3665
|
+
In that last torture of consuming fire
|
3666
|
+
She heard her "voices" speak once more her name,
|
3667
|
+
And left earth's exile for her heart's desire,
|
3668
|
+
Angel of France! up that steep path of flame.
|
3669
|
+
Daughter of God! deign now our voice to hear!
|
3670
|
+
Descend to us with thy sweet heavenly glance!
|
3671
|
+
Come, and convert the land to thee so dear!
|
3672
|
+
A second time, a second time, save France!
|
3673
|
+
By God's great power
|
3674
|
+
In thee displayed,
|
3675
|
+
Save France! O come, save France,
|
3676
|
+
Thou saintly warrior-maid!
|
3677
|
+
Glorious' O thou strong child of God! wast thou,
|
3678
|
+
When English hosts to meet thee did not dare;
|
3679
|
+
Yet, in thy father's fields, -- remember now, --
|
3680
|
+
Once weak and tender lambs were in thy care.
|
3681
|
+
Of all the weak
|
3682
|
+
Be the defence!
|
3683
|
+
In hearts of children meek,
|
3684
|
+
Preserve their innocence!
|
3685
|
+
Sweet martyr! keep our convents in thy care!
|
3686
|
+
Our virgins are thy sisters, each thine own,
|
3687
|
+
And like to thine the object of their prayer, --
|
3688
|
+
To see God reign in every heart alone.
|
3689
|
+
This their desire,
|
3690
|
+
All souls to save.
|
3691
|
+
Now let them share thy fire,
|
3692
|
+
Apostle, martyr brave!
|
3693
|
+
When holy Church shall give thee crown and palm,
|
3694
|
+
How swiftly every fear in us will faint!
|
3695
|
+
Then can we sing in loud afid rapturous psalm,
|
3696
|
+
To Jeanne, our virgin, martyr, warrior-saint: --
|
3697
|
+
God grants us hope
|
3698
|
+
Through thee today!
|
3699
|
+
Saint Jeanne, Saint Jeanne of France,
|
3700
|
+
Pray for thy country, pray!
|