"WHEN MY HEART IS VEXED, I WILL COMPLAIN." "LORD, how canst Thou say Thou lovest me? Me whom thou settest in a barren land, Hungry and thirsty on the burning sand, Hungry and thirsty where no waters be Nor shadows of date-bearing tree : O Lord, how canst Thou say Thou lovest me?" "I came from Edom by as parched a track, But counted life as death, and trod The winepress all alone: and I am God." "Yet, Lord, how canst Thou say Thou lovest me? For Thou art strong to comfort: and could I But comfort one I love, who, like to die, Lifts feeble hands and eyes that fail to see "Alas! thou knowest that for thee I died For thee I thirsted with the dying thirst; In sight of men and angels crucified : My love, and wilt thou yet mistrust My love?" "Lord, I am fain to think Thou lovest me, "Nay, if thy love is not an empty breath deep answers deep. Peace, peace: I give to my beloved sleep, WHY AFTER COMMUNION. HY should I call Thee Lord, Who art my God? Or King, Who art my very Spouse above? Who now hast called me friend? how will it be When Thou for good wine settest forth the best? Now Thou dost bid me come and sup with Thee, Now Thou dost make me lean upon Thy breast: How will it be with me in time of love? AT A ROSE PLANT IN JERICHO. T morn I plucked a rose and gave it Thee, But in the chillness of a second morn My rose bush drooped, and all its gay increase Was but one thorn that wounded me. I plucked the thorn and offered it to Thee; If Thou hast given much treasure for a thorn, My thorny rose, my love and pain, to Thee For verily I think to-morrow morn Shall bring me Paradise, my gift's increase, Yea, give Thy very Self to me. WHO SHALL DELIVER ME? GOD OD strengthen me to bear myself; Inalienable weight of care. All others are outside myself; I lock my door and bar them out, I lock my door upon myself, And bar them out; but who shall wall If I could once lay down myself, If I could set aside myself, And start with lightened heart upon The road by all men overgone! God harden me against myself, This coward with pathetic voice Who craves for ease and rest and joys: |