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
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.
LONGING TO SEE HIM BELOVED.
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 secret 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 possess !
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:
My dear and kind defender
Preserves me safely here,
From men of pomp and splendour,
Who fill a child with fear.
ASPIRATIONS OF THE SOUL AFTER GOD.
My Spouse! in whose presence I live,
Sole object of all my desires,
Who know'st what a flame I conceive,
And canst easily double its fires;
How pleasant is all that I meet!
From fear of adversity free,
I find even sorrow made sweet;
Because 'tis assign'd me by Thee.
Transported I see thee display
Thy riches and glory divine;
I have only my life to repay,
Take what I would gladly resign.
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