Part 13 (2/2)

_A PRAYER FOR GRACE IN DEATH._

_S' avvien che spesso._

What though strong love of life doth flatter me With hope of yet more years on earth to stay, Death none the less draws nearer day by day, Who to sad souls alone comes lingeringly.

Yet why desire long life and jollity, If in our griefs alone to G.o.d we pray?

Glad fortune, length of days, and pleasure slay The soul that trusts to their felicity.

Then if at any hour through grace divine The fiery shafts of love and faith that cheer And fortify the soul, my heart a.s.sail, Since nought achieve these mortal powers of mine, Straight may I wing my way to heaven; for here With lengthening days good thoughts and wishes fail.

LXXIV.

SECOND READING.

_A PRAYER FOR GRACE IN DEATH._

_Parmi che spesso._

Ofttimes my great desire doth flatter me With hope on earth yet many years to stay: Still Death, the more I love it, day by day Takes from the life I love so tenderly.

What better time for that dread change could be, If in our griefs alone to G.o.d we pray?

Oh, lead me, Lord, oh, lead me far away From every thought that lures my soul from Thee!

Yea, if at any hour, through grace of Thine, The fervent zeal of love and faith that cheer And fortify the soul, my heart a.s.sail.

Since nought achieve these mortal powers of mine, Plant, like a saint in heaven, that virtue here; For, lacking Thee, all good must faint and fail.

LXXV.

_HEART-COLDNESS._

_Vorrei voler, Signior._

Fain would I wish what my heart cannot will: Between it and the fire a veil of ice Deadens the fire, so that I deal in lies; My words and actions are discordant still.

I love Thee with my tongue, then mourn my fill; For love warms not my heart, nor can I rise, Or ope the doors of Grace, who from the skies Might flood my soul, and pride and pa.s.sion kill.

Rend Thou the veil, dear Lord! Break Thou that wall Which with its stubbornness r.e.t.a.r.ds the rays Of that bright sun this earth hath dulled for me!

Send down Thy promised light to cheer and fall On Thy fair spouse, that I with love may blaze, And, free from doubt, my heart feel only Thee!

LXXVI.

_THE DEATH OF CHRIST._

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