Classic Poem

Eternall Lord , who art more prompt to heare
then Faith to pray; of that great grace of thine
Regard the Boone I aske in Loue and Feare;
and to mine humble suite thine eares incline.

Grant me fruition of thy DEITIE
that all my Soule may so be satisfied;
For lesse then that can her not satisfie,
though all els (boundlesse) were still amplifide!

Those gifts and graces that thy Grace may moue
t' inhabit my poore Soule , vouchsafe thou me:
That with thy gifts thy grace may be in Loue;
and loue my Soule for harbring them and thee .

But, in those gifts O let her be repos'd
none otherwise then as they fashion her
To harbor Thee; (that's, make her well dispos'd)
els let her rest be restlesse euer there .

My Sonne (saist thou, deare Lord ) giue me thy heart
├┤ small request! my Heart , Lord! what is it
But one poore bit of wormes meate? can no Part
of me delight thee, but so vile a bit?

Why, thou didst wholy giue thyselfe to me:
shall I returne thee then but that alone?
O tis (sweet Sauiour ) most vnworthy Thee;
for which (thou know'st) it's, meekly, wo-begon.

Yet gladly would I giue it; but, it is
so small vncleane, vnquiet, and accurst.
That I doe feare to giue it so amisse,
sith, of all gifts , it's worser than the worst.

Yet take it ( Lord of Loue ) it is thine owne,
how e'er I haue abus'd it; make it such
As thou wouldst haue it; let it still be knowne
fit for thy Stampe, vpon thy Trials Touch.

O glorious King , what grace is't to our Hearts
to be accepted and desir'd of thee?
Then take my Heart , yea, all mine other parts;
for they are safe in thee, but lost in me.

And is this all thy gaine (├┤ kindest Lord?)
and is this all our gift , one wretched Heart?
And for the same dost thou thyselfe afford?
then take it to thee (Lord) through ioy , or smart .

For, nothing can I giue thee, but the same
augments my gaine and glory endlesly:
Then take it wholy , set me all on flame
to melt me into thee by Charitie!

For, were my Heart as great as is the Heau'n
that all includes; and, that past price it were
It should to thee (desiring it) be giu'n,
sith, I haue thee for it, who hast no Peere.

Then, World be silent, call it not againe:
Flesh be as still permit it still to goe;
And Diuell striue not; for, it is in vaine;
my God will haue it, then it shall be so.

Vade, vade: for all you cannot fill my Heart ,
my God alone can doe it; and He must
Haue it to fill: then from me all depart,
that seeke to fill it but with winde or dust .

And sole Sufficer , chaine it still to Thee
with Adamantine Linckes of endlesse Loue;
That through those Straites which thou hast past for me,
it may be drawne to thee , if slow it moue.

Let it attend thee to the Iudgement-Hall ,
where thou wast doom'd to death; and to the Hill ,
Whereon thou suffer'dst: let it taste thy Gall;
and, on thy Crosse let it be fixed still:
That be'ing with thee thus plagu'd, disgrac'd & slaine ,
It may with thee be rais'd , and crown'd , and raigne .