3.
“With my soul have I desired Thee in the night; yea, with
my spirit within me will I seek Thee early.”
My bowels while He spake were in me moved;
To my Beloved I opened, and the dawn
Was there; but my Light had Himself withdrawn.
I sought, but could not find Him. My Beloved,
I call Thee, but Thou answerest not. I roved,
And in the twilight sought, but He was gone.
O Thou so early found, but lost too soon,
Where shall I seek Thy countenance unreproved?
My heart is faint within me. Is it so,
That I must ever seek Thee, and complain;
Still hear Thy voice, and ever wandering go
After the sound, yet ask for Thee in vain;
Feeling Thee near, and strive Thy feet to hold,
And, finding nothing, grasp Thy mantle's fold?
