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“I THIRST FOR LOVE.”
In wondrous love Thou didst come down from heaven To immolate Thyself, O Christ, for me; So, in my turn, my love to Thee is given, I wish to suffer and to die for Thee. |
Thou, Lord, hast spoken this truth benign: “To die for one loved tenderly Of greatest love on earth is sign;” And now, such love is mine, — Such love for Thee! |
Abide, abide with me, O Pilgrim blest! Behind the hill fast sinks the dying day. Helped by Thy cross I mount the rocky crest; Oh, come, to guide me on my heavenward way. |
To be like Thee is my desire; Thy voice finds echo in my soul. Suffering I crave! Thy words of fire Lift me above earth’s mire, And sin’s control. |
Chanting Thy victories, gloriously sublime, The Seraphim — all heaven — cry to me, That even Thou, to conquer sin and crime, Upon this earth a sufferer needs must be. |
For me, upon life’s dreary way, What scorn, what anguish, Thou didst bear Let me grow humble every day, Be least of all, alway, Thy lot to share! |
Ah, Christ! Thy great example teaches me Myself to humble, honors to despise. Little and low like Thee I choose to be, Forgetting self, so I may charm Thine eyes. |
My peace I find in solitude, Nor ask I more, dear Lord, than this: Be Thou my sole beatitude, — Ever, in Thee, renewed My joy, my bliss! |
Thou, the great God Whom earth and heaven adore, Thou dwellest a prisoner for me night and day; And every hour I hear Thy voice implore: “ I thirst — I thirst — I thirst — for love alway! |
I, too, Thy prisoner am I; I, too, cry ever unto Thee Thine own divine and tender cry: “I thirst! Oh, let me die Of love for Thee!” |
For love of Thee I thirst! Fulfil my hope; Augment in me Thine own celestial flame! For love of Thee I thirst! Too scant earth’s scope. The glorious Vision of Thy Face I claim! |
My long slow martyrdom of fire Still more and more consumeth me. Thou art my joy, my one desire. Jesu! may I expire Of love for Thee! |
April 30, 1896.
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