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X.

[Perishing for hunger, I]

[_]

To—“Jesu, dear departed Lord.”

Perishing for hunger, I,
Ever at the point to die,
Languishing for want of God,
Can I taste my outward food?
Yet for Thy commandment sake,
Lord, my outward food I take,
Strength for farther sufferings gain,
Lengthen out a life of pain.
Lo! my necessary meat
Still with bitter herbs I eat,
Till I out of Egypt pass,
Till I know Thy pardoning grace.
Spare, my friends, your vain expense,
Take your tasteless dainties hence,
Give your idle reasonings o'er,
Grieve me with your love no more.
Well I know the promise sure,
“All things to the pure are pure;”
But to me of lips unclean
Good is ill, and pleasure sin.

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Leave me then, without relief,
Obstinately fix'd in grief,
Steadfastly resolved to know
No enjoyment here below.
Pleasure will I never taste
Till the pain of sin is past,
Never take delight in food
Till I feed upon my God.