Song II: The Exiled Soul

Mi Dios y mi Señor, tened memoria

MY God, my Lord, do Thou remember
That I by faith have gazed upon Thy Face —
Lacking which sight no bliss exists for me !

For since I saw Thee, live I in such sort
That there is naught can bring
Joy to my soul but for an hour, or moment !
God of my life ! nothing can make me glad,
For all my gladness springs from sight of Thee,
And faileth me because I have Thee not.

If 'tis Thy will, my God, I live forlorn,
I'll take my longings even for my comfort
While dwelling in this world.

With me no happiness in aught shall bide
Except the hope of seeing Thee, my God,
Where I shall never dread to lose Thee more.

When shall there dawn that most delicious day
When, O my Glory, I may joy in Thee,
Delivered from this body's heavy load ?

There will my bliss be measureless, entire,
At witnessing how glorious Thou art,
Wherein will lie the rapture of my life.

What will it be when I shall dwell with Thee,
Since suffering doth bring such happiness ?
Upraise me, now, O Lord, into Thy heaven !

Yet if my life can bring increase of glory
To thine eternal Being,
In truth I do not wish that it should end.

The unending moment of the bliss of heaven
Will end my pain and anguish
So that I shall remember them no more.

I went astray because I served Thee not,
As I have gained by knowing Thee, my God !
Henceforth I crave to love Thee ever more !