83. Saint Philip's Charity

All ye who love the ways of sin,
Come to Saint Philip's feet and learn
The baits that Jesus hath to win
His truant children to return.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

That saint could do such things for you
As your poor hearts would never dream;
For he can make the false world true.
And penance life's best pleasure seem.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity I

His words like gentlest dew distil,
His face is calm as summer eve;
His look can tame the wildest will.
And make the stoutest heart to grieve.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

He smiles; and evil habit fails
To bind its victim as before;
Old sins drop oif the soul like scales,
Old wounds are healed and leave no sore.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

His hand, with virgin fragrance fraught,
The heart with painless pleasure strains,
And with one touch all evil thought,
All worldly longing from it drains.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

He breathes on us; the spicy gale
Of Araby is not more sweet;
He breathes new life in hearts that fail,
New vigor into weary feet.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

His voice can raise the dead to life,
So wonderful its accents are;
He speaks, — there is an end of strife,
And of the soul's internal war.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

Come, sinners! ye need not forego
Your portion of light-hearted mirth;
He came unthought-of roads to show,
And phmt a paradise on earth.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity!

Come, try the saint: his words are true,
Give him your hearts, he gives you heaven;
He sets light penance, and will do
The penance he himself hath given.
All praise and thanks to Jesus be
For sweet Saint Philip's charity I