"We love Him, because He first loved us." -- 1 John iv.19.

Mechthild of Hellfde, 1277.

tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899

I rejoice that I cannot but love Him,

Because He first loved me;

I would that measureless, changeless,

My love might be;

A love unto death and for ever;

For, soul, He died for thee.

Give thanks that for thee He delighted

To leave His glory on high;

For thee to be humbled, forsaken,

For thee to die.

Wilt thou render Him love for His loving?

Wilt thou die for Him who died?

And so by thy dying and living

Shall Christ be magnified.

And deep in the fiery stream that flows

From God's high throne,

In the burning tide that for ever glows

Of the marvellous love unknown;

For ever, O soul, thou shalt burn and glow,

And thou shalt sing and say,

"I need no call at His feet to fall,

For I cannot turn away.

I am the captive led along

With the joy of His triumphal song;

In the depths of love do I love and move,

I joy to live or to die;

For I am borne on the tide of His love

To all eternity:"

The foolishness of the fool is this,

The sorrow sweeter than joy to miss.