MEDITATIONS
39
Therefore must love be in restraint of sense. And separation by death is to a lover the severest of all austerities.
It is also the highest, because it is imposed by God alone.
Pain borne with intention carries us to fresh heights.
Separation consecrated by faith reaches to deeper union.
Thus Love is crowned by sorrow. And Love, to be made perfect, needs sorrow as well as joy.
But when he is crowned, then doth Love put sorrow beneath his feet, and shine forth alone. And this is in truth, O blessed soul, the very Triumph of thy Love.
