Soul! celestial in thy birth,

Dwelling yet in lowest earth,

Panting, shrinking to be free,

Hear God’s spirit whisper thee.

Thus it saith; in accents mild,—

“Weary wanderer, wayward child,

From thy Father’s earnest love

Still forever wilt thou rove?

“Turn to hope, and peace, and light,

Freed from sin, and earth, and night;

I have called, entreated thee,

In my mercies gentle, free.

“Human soul, in love divine

I have sought to make thee mine;

Still for thee good angels yearn;

Human soul, return, return!”