How, then, amid such ardent flame,
My soul, dost them not burn?
Canst thou refuse, for very shame,
A loving heart's return?
Then yield thy heart, at length, to love
That God of charity,
Who gives his very self to prove
The love he bears to thee.
II.
To Jesus after Communion.
O bread of heaven! beneath this veil
Thou dost my very God conceal;
My Jesus, dearest treasure, hail!
I love Thee, and adoring kneel:
The loving soul by Thee is fed
With Thy own self in form of bread!
O food of life! Thou who dost give
The pledge of immortality!
I live;—no, 'tis not I that live,
God gives me life, God lives in me:
He feeds my soul, he guides my ways
And every grief with joy repays.
O bond of love! that dost unite
The servant to his loving Lord!
Could I dare live, and not requite
Such loving then death were meet reward
I cannot live, unless to prove
Some love for such unmeasured love.
O mighty fire! thou that dost burn
To kindle every mind and heart!
For Thee my frozen soul doth yearn:
Come, Lord of love, Thy warmth impart.
If thus to speak too bold appear,
'Tis love like Thine has banished fear.
