O Jesus! Jesus! dearest Lord!
Forgive me if I say
For very love thy sacred name
A thousand times a day.
I love thee so, I know not how
My transports to control;
Thy love is like a burning fire
Within my very soul.
O wonderful! that thou shouldst let
So vile a heart as mine
Love thee with such a love as this,
And make so free with thine.
The craft of this wise world of ours
Poor wisdom seems to me;
Ah! dearest Jesus! I have grown
Childish with love of thee!
For thou to me art all in all,
My honor and my wealth,
My heart's desire, my body's strength,
My soul's eternal health.
Burn, burn, O Love! within my heart
Burn fiercely night and day,
'Till all the dross of earthly loves
Is burned, and burned away.
O light in darkness, joy in grief,
O heaven begun on earth!
Jesus! my love! my treasure! who
Can tell what thou art worth?
O Jesus! Jesus! sweetest Lord!
What art thou not to me?
Each hour brings joys before unknown,
Each day new liberty!
What limit is there to thee, love?
Thy flight where wilt thou stay?
On! on! our Lord is sweeter far
To-day than yesterday.
O love of Jesus! blessed love!
So will it ever be;
Time cannot hold thy wondrous growth,
No, nor eternity.
--Frederick William Faber.