Love’S Anchorite

LOVE’S anchorite, within my lonely cell, His breviary I learn you every day, And Aves to my sainted Mary say, As all my rosary I careful tell: While on thy picture sweet my fond eyes dwell, Or rapt upon thy treasured story pore, Which, ending, leaves me yet to hunger more, And still athirst to seek again the well.

Yet all Love’s calendar I follow through, And each fair day, where memory shows thy sign, Keep holy unto thee in prayer and song; So every season brings to thee its due; But, while thy table’s set with corn and wine, Fasting I keep Love’s Lenten-tide so long.