It thus befell me on a day

When gladsome was the month of May,

I sat alone in pleasant thought

Beside the fish-pond in the court;

Above me spread the lindens tall,

And deep-blue heavens were over all,

How dear is that old court to me!

So sunny, still, and fair to see—

The water flowing clear and bright,

And many a tree with blossoms dight,

And singing birds, and doves that fly

All white across the summer sky;

And there, of all delights the best,

The blessed stillness and the rest.

Then thought I, “All is fair and sweet—

What need I more in my retreat,

In sooth that this still hour may be

As dew from Heaven that falls on me?

So were it, if there came from Heaven

A faithful friend and dear,

Whose words should be a dew to me

Of comfort and of cheer.

Then I should grow as lilies sweet

That in God’s garden are,

Whose strange and wondrous odours greet

Some wandering soul afar.”

Then answered, ere I was aware,

The Voice beloved and true—

The blessed Friend from Heaven was there,

My Sunshine and my Dew;

The Fountain for the souls that thirst,

The cup that runneth o’er—

The Lord Who gives the longing first,

Then stills it evermore—

He told me of the River bright

That flows from Him to me,

That I might be for His delight

A fair and fruitful tree.

He told me that as doves that rise

Far through the golden light,

So He would lead me through the skies

In raiment pure and white.

That as the still fair court to me

Afar from strife and din,

So unto Him my heart should be,

And He would rest therein.

And when the evening shadows fell,

And all was silent in my cell,

And on my knees I knelt and prayed

To Him Who is my Sun and Shade,

There came to me that saying deep,

“Who loveth Me, My words will keep.

And him My Father loveth well,

And We will come with him to dwell.”

Yea, Lord, through Thy most precious Blood,

Am I the resting-place of God.