A FIGURATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE OF DIVINE LOVE
IN BRINGING A SOUL TO THE POINT OF SELF-RENUNCIATION AND ABSOLUTE ACQUIESCENCE.
'Twas my purpose, on a day, To embark, and sail away As I climb'd the vessel's side,
Love was sporting in the tide;
"Come," he said," ascend-make haste,
Launch into the boundless waste."
Many mariners were there,
Having each his separate care; They that row'd us held their eyes Fix'd upon the starry skies; Others steer'd, or turn'd the sails To receive the shifting gales.
Love, with power divine supplied, Suddenly my courage tried; In a moment it was night, Ship and skies were out of sight; On the briny wave I lay, Floating rushes all my stay. Did I with resentment burn At this unexpected turn?
Did I wish myself on shore, Never to forsake it more?
No-" My soul," I cried, "be still; If I must be lost, I will."
Next he hasten'd to convey Both my frail supports away; Seized my rushes; bade the waves Yawn into a thousand graves: Down I went, and sunk as lead, Ocean closing o'er my head.
Still, however, life was safe; And I saw him turn and laugh: "Friend," he cried, "adieu! lie low, While the wintry storms shall blow; When the spring has calm'd the main, You shall rise and float again."
Soon I saw him, with dismay, Spread his plumes, and soar away; Now I mark his rapid flight; Now he leaves my aching sight; He is gone whom I adore,
'Tis in vain to seek him more.
How I trembled then and fear'd, When my love had disappear'd! "Wilt thou leave me thus," I cried, "Whelm'd beneath the rolling tide?” Vain attempt to reach his ear! Love was gone, and would not hear.
Ah! return, and love me still;
See me subject to thy will;
Frown with wrath, or smile with grace, Only let me see thy face!
Evil I have none to fear,
All is good, if thou art near.
Yet he leaves me--cruel fate! Leaves me in my lost estate- Have I sinn'd? Oh say wherein ; Tell me, and forgive my sin! King, and Lord, whom I adore, Shall I see thy face no more?
Be not angry; I resign, Henceforth, all my will to thine: I consent that thou depart, Though thine absence breaks my heart; Go then, and for ever too;
All is right that thou wilt do.
This was just what Love intended,
He was now no more offended; Soon as I became a child,
Love return'd to me and smiled:
Never strife shall more betide
'Twixt the bridegroom and his bride.
A CHILD OF GOD LONGING TO SEE HIM
THERE's not an echo round me, But I am glad should learn, How pure a fire has found me—, The love with which I burn. For none attends with pleasure To what I would reveal; They slight me out of measure, And laugh at all I feel.
The rocks receive less proudly The story of my flame; When I approach, they loudly Reverberate his name.
I speak to them of sadness, And comforts at a stand; They bid me look for gladness, And better days at hand.
Far from all habitation,
I heard a happy sound; Big with the consolation, That I have often found I said, "My lot is sorrow, My grief has no alloy;" The rocks replied "To-morrow, To-morrow brings thee joy."
These sweet and sacred tidings, What bliss it is to hear! For, spite of all my chidings, My weakness and my fear, No sooner I receive them, Than I forget my pain, And, happy to believe them, I love as much again.
I fly to scenes romantic, Where never men resort; For in an age so frantic Impiety is sport.
For riot and confusion
They barter things above; Condemning, as delusion, The joy of perfect love.
In this sequester'd corner,
None hears what I express ; Deliver'd from the scorner,
What peace do I
Beneath the boughs reclining,
Or roving o'er the wild,
I live as undesigning
And harmless as a child.
No troubles here surprise me,
I innocently play,
While Providence supplies me, And guards me all the day:
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