Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold :: :: University of Virginia Library

Speak to me, Holy One, speaking in love,
Come to me, Lowly One, come from above,
Down to my weaknesses, down to my sin;
Mould me with meeknesses, new-made within.
Lift me and leaven me righteous and pure,
Lift to Thy Heaven me cleansed and secure;
Breathe as the wind on me, breath on my face
Airs as of Ind on me, odorous grace.
Burn as the fire in me, burn up the dross,
Kindle desire in me true to the Cross;
Flow as the ocean full, strong as Thou art,
Fill with devotion full sweetly my heart.
Through little lips of mine, stammering, weak,
Purged from eclipse of mine, mightily speak;
Quicken the blindnesses, scatter the haze,
With Thy clear kindnesses open my gaze.
Dim is my hearkening, deaf with the choice
Of this world's darkening, waiting Thy voice.
Crown my unmeetnesses with Thy own might,
With Thy completenesses perfect my sight.
Show me myself, O God, brighten the book
Of that dark shelf, O God, every dark nook;
Unveil Thy Being, Lord, dearer than day,
Better than seeing, Lord, light'ning the way;
Bear me, through billowing waters that toss,
Safe to Thy pillowing, Home to the Cross.
Cover this nakedness (as the wide globe)
With new awakedness under Thy robe,
Fitting most feelingly to each dark stain
As I go reelingly bowed with my pain.
Form of Thy witnesses me to endure
Sealed with the fitnesses Thou dost assure,
Stript of all vanities weighing me down
For Thy humanity's clothing and crown—
Garments of glorious uses and art
Proved and victorious mail for my heart.
Deal with me tenderly, armour my life
Feeble and slenderly fashioned for strife,

135

Fence it with graciousness flowing from Thee
Out of Thy spaciousness wonderful, free;
Safe from the rancour and evil and dross,
Build me and anchor and nail to the Cross.