Sursum Corda

“Lift up your hearts.” “We lift them up.” Ah me! I cannot, Lord, lift up my heart to Thee: Stoop, lift it up, that where Thou art I too may be.

“Give Me thy heart.” I would not say Thee nay, But have no power to keep or give away My heart: stoop, Lord, and take it to Thyself to-day.

Stoop, Lord, as once before, now once anew Stoop, Lord, and hearken, hearken, Lord, and do, And take my will, and take my heart, and take me too.

O ye, who are not dead and fit Like blasted tree beside the pit But for the axe that levels it,

Living show life of love, whereof The force wields earth and heaven above: Who knows not love begetteth love?

Love poises earth in space, Love rolls Wide worlds rejoicing on their poles, And girds them round with aureoles.

Love lights the sun, Love thro’ the dark Lights the moon’s evanescent arc, Lights up the star, lights up the spark.

O ye who taste that love is sweet, Set waymarks for all doubtful feet That stumble on in search of it.

Sing notes of love: that some who hear Far off inert may lend an ear, Rise up and wonder and draw near.

Lead life of love: that others who Behold your life, may kindle too With love, and cast their lot with you.

Where shall I find a white rose blowing?- Out in the garden where all sweets be.— But out in my garden the snow was snowing And never a white rose opened for me. Nought but snow and a wind were blowing And snowing.

Where shall I find a blush rose blushing?— On the garden wall or the garden bed.— But out in my garden the rain was rushing And never a blush rose raised its head. Nothing glowing, flushing or blushing: Rain rushing.

Where shall I find a red rose budding?— Out in the garden where all things grow. But out in my garden a flood was flooding And never a red rose began to blow. Out in a flooding what should be budding? All flooding!

Now is winter and now is sorrow, No roses but only thorns to-day: Thorns will put on roses to-morrow, Winter and sorrow scudding away. No more winter and no more sorrow To-morrow.