English poem
To Mrs. de Paravicini, II
by Lionel Johnson (1867–1902)
O place of happy pains, And land of dear desires! Where Love divine detains Glad souls among sweet fires.
Where sweet, white fires embrace The red-scarred, red-stained soul: That it may see God's Face, Perfectly white and whole.
While with still hope they bear Those ardent agonies: Earth pleads for them, in prayer And wistful charities.
O place of patient pains, And land of brave desires! Us now God's Will detains Far from those holy fires.
Us the sad world rings round With passionate flames impure: We tread an impious ground, And hunger, and endure:
That, earth's ordeal done, Those white, sweet fires may fit Us for our home, and One, Who is the Light of it.