Page:Complete ascetical works of St Alphonsus v6.djvu/108

106 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.

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.