62 THE JOY OF THE CROSS. Crush'd under sin's enormous weight, Increasing ev'ry hour! The night, when pass'd entire with thee, Lest THOU shouldst disappear. My Saviour! occupy me still Let reason slumber if she will, Let reason slumber out the night; My soul th' abode of truth and light, THE JOY OF THE CROSS. Vol. 3, Cantique 97. LONG plung'd in sorrow, I resign My soul to that dear hand of thine, That hand shall wipe my streaming eyes; Transform the falling tear. My sole possession is thy Love; I have no other store; THE JOY OF THE CROSS. And though with fervent suit I pray, My rapid hours pursue the course Without a wish t' escape my doom; By thy command, where'er I stray, And if my suff'rings may augment It costs me no regret, that she, Who follow'd Christ, should follow me; From all my bitter woes. Adieu! ye vain delights of earth ; And Jesus thought so too. 63 64 THE JOY OF THE CROSS. The Cross! Oh ravishment and bliss How grateful e'en its anguish is; Tastes happiness complete. Souls once enabl'd to disdain And Love has all its genuine taste, Self-love, no grace in sorrow sees, 'Tis all the bliss she knows : In suff'ring her repose. Sorrow, and Love, go side by side; JESUS, avenger of our Fall, The Cross has ever borne ! JOY IN MARTYRDOM. Oh! tell me,-Life is in thy voice How much afflictions were thy choice, Thy choice, and mine, shall be the same; Which must forever blaze ! To take the Cross, and follow Thee, JOY IN MARTYRDOM. Vol. 2, Cantique 110. SWEET tenants of this grove! A song of artless love, In unison with mine; These echoing shades return Oh! Thou, whose sacred charms To choose their happiest lot! 65 66 SIMPLE TRUST. All-glorious King of Kings, This heart, that cannot rest, SIMPLE TRUST. Vol. 3, Cantique 95. STILL, still, without ceasing, I feel it increasing, And often exclaim, Let me die in the flame Of a Love that can never expire! Had I words to explain, What she must sustain, Who dies to the world and its ways; How joy and affright, Distress and delight, Alternately chequer her days; Thou, sweetly severe ! I would make thee appear, |