ON THE SAME SUBJECT.
I
I love my God, and freely too,
With the Same Love that He imparts,—
That He to Whom all Love is due
Engraves upon pure, loving Hearts.
II
I love; but this Celestial Fire,
Ye starry Pow'rs, Ye do not raise;
No Wages, no Reward's Desire,
Is in the purely shining Blaze.
III
Me nor the Hopes of heav'nly Bliss
Or Paradisic Scenes excite;
Nor Terrors of the dark Abyss,—
Of Death's eternal Den,—affright.
IV
No bought and paid-for Love be mine;
I will have no Demands to make;
Disinterested and Divine
Alone that Fear shall never shake.
V
Thou, my Redeemer from Above,
Suff'ring to such immense Degree,
Thy Heart has kindled mine to Love,
That burns for Nothing but for Thee;
VI
Thy Scourge, Thy Thorns, Thy Cross, Thy Wounds—
And ev'ry one of them a Source
From whence the Nourishment abounds
Of Endless Love's Unfading Force.
VII
These Sacred Fires with Holy Breath
Raise in my Mind the gen'rous Strife;
While, by the Ensigns of Thy Death
Known, I adore the Lord of Life.
VIII
Extinguish all Celestial Light,
The Fire of Love will not go out;
The Flames of Hell extinguish quite,
Love will pursue Its wonted Route!
IX
Be there no Hope, if It persist,
Persist It will, nor ever cease;
No Punishment, if 'tis dismissed,
What caus'd It not will not decrease.
X
Should'st Thou give Nothing for Its Pains,
It claims not anything as due;
Should'st Thou condemn me, it remains
Unchang'd by any selfish View.
XI
Let Heav'n be darken'd, if It will,—
Let Hell with all its Vengeance roar,—
My God Alone remaining, still
I'll love Him, as I did before.
