The Living Flame of Love

: O LIVING flame of love,
How painless is the smart,
Thy tender wounds create
Within my very heart ;
Oh end at last the weary strife
And break the web of this my life.
O gentle hand and touch,

O wound in sweetness rife,
O burning, a foretaste
Of everlasting life.
The debt is paid that long was due,
And death by death brings life anew.
O lamps of fire that burn,

Illumining the night,
Sense in its caverns glows
With unaccustomed light.
They once were dark but now are bright,
And to my Love give warmth and light.
How loving Thou dost lie

Awake within my breast,
And by Thyself alone,
In secret there at rest.
The sweetness of Thy blissful breath
Makes strong my love ; and strong as death.