Since you have waned from us,
Fairest of women,
I am a darkened cage
Song cannot hymn in.
My songs have followed you,
Like birds the summer;
Ah! bring them back to me,
Swiftly, dear comer!
_Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_
Whereso your angel is,
My angel goeth;
I am left guardianless,
Paradise knoweth!
I have no Heaven left
To weep my wrongs to;
Heaven, when you went from us,
Went with my songs too.
_Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_
I have no angels left
Now, Sweet, to pray to:
Where you have made your shrine
They are away to.
They have struck Heaven's tent,
And gone to cover you:
Whereso you keep your state
Heaven is pitched over you!
_Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_
She that is Heaven's Queen
Her title borrows,
For that she, pitiful,
Beareth our sorrows.
So thou, _Regina mi,
Spes infirmorum_;
With all our grieving crowned
_Mater dolorum!
Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_
Yet, envious coveter
Of other's grieving!
This lonely longing yet
'Scapeth your reaving.
Cruel to take from a
Sinner his Heaven!
Think you with contrite smiles
To be forgiven?
_Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_
Penitent! give me back
Angels, and Heaven;
Render your stolen self,
And be forgiven!
How frontier Heaven from you?
For my soul prays, Sweet,
Still to your face in Heaven,
Heaven in your face, Sweet!
_Seraphim,
Her to hymn,
Might leave their portals;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!_