Chapter I

Showeth twelve different notions of the Loue of Jesus, on the part of the Twelve Beguines.

Talking of the fair Lord Jesus \

Each after her own manner :

" Let us treasure this Love," said they,

" For sweet is Its beginning,

" And the end Thereof passing tender. "

The First said : —

" I would bear the burden of the Love of Jesus, " Unaided, save by God, Who strengtheneth me. " Oh, wise are we, who know and who love " This noble Son of a Royal House2."

The next said : —

" Willingly would I love Him, " Knew I but how to begin ; " But He is hidden from me.

" Alas, I confess that it is I who am at fault ;

" For my heart is restless and distracted 3,

" And I live in the midst of petty cares. "

The Third said : —

" He cometh to me like One in utter holiness,

" Showing me all beauty : " Anon He flieth from me, like a fickle lover 4,

" Taking all my joy with Him : " And I but follow after Him as best I can.

" Unwise is he who rejoiceth in the day, " Before he hath seen the ending thereof " In a calm and peaceful eventide."

The Fourth said : —

" The Love of Jesus hath betrayed me, " And therein have I lost both head and heart ;

" Nor do I know to whom I can complain. " Fiercely He consumeth me night and day,

" Asking more than I can give, " Making me no fair return V

The Fifth said :—

" I should be wrong were I to take it ill " That my wages were not paid beforehand.

" Nor do I wonder thereat ; " For often times it happeneth " That to him, who worketh but little, " There cometh but little profit."

Thus spake the Sixth Beguine : — " What words are these ? " And what are these demands ? " Can Jesus cause us trouble ? " Our sisters err " In grieving Him thus. " Their words are empty and foolish, " And fitter for their Confession."

The Seventh said : —

" So great is the hunger of my soul,

" That, had I all that God could give me,

" Still were I unsatisfied :

" And, if He give me not Himself,

" I have no life in me.

" Alas, no man can help or counsel me

" In this my unquenchable longing."

The Eighth said : —

" The Lord Jesus is a pure runnel, " Whence all joy fulness floweth forth :

" I hold high festival with Him, " For He is mine, and I am His. " I cannot live without Him, " Who is my allotted Destiny ; " And He is like a sweet nut to me, " Whose shell it were folly not to pierce, " For delicious is the Kernel thereof. " Ah, were all Good within my choice, " I would choose Jesus for my God ; " So greatly do I joy to be with Him6/'

The Ninth said : —

"The Love of the Lord Jesus hath deserted me : " I follow after Him " In strange and unaccustomed paths, " Erring continually. " All that I had before, now have I lost ; " And the burden of my sorrow is grievous, " For He hath stolen away my heart."

The Tenth said : —

" The Love of Jesus is so fair, " That it hath filled my soul. " Ever holdeth He a chalice to my lips, " Brimming with His generous wine. " Ah God ! how far greater will be my joy,

" When Heunveileth His glorious Face, " And I drink deep of that precious wine. " Indeed they do wrong to slander Him."

The Eleventh said : —

" I know not even if I have desire ;

" For I have lost myself

" In a fathomless Unknowing.

" I am swallowed up in Him ; and His

Mouth

" Is as a bottomless Abyss, " Whence there is no return. "

The Twelfth Beguine said : —

" Always to do well ; such is my will, " For there is no idleness in love. " To live virtuously in utter faithfulness,

" And, beyond all virtues, to contemplate the Face of God : " Here lieth my treasure. " To behold the fair beauty of the Godhead ;

" To dissolve in His beloved Presence ; " Ever to be intoxicated with His Love ;

" This is the Way of Perfection. " Let us still gather together,

" Ever speaking of the joys of Heaven ;

" For this is the Perfect Life. " Our Heavenly Father hath so loved us, " That He hath sent and given to us

His Son, " Who hath redeemed us by His

Death,

" Wherein is our everlasting comfort. " In Him let us live, " And pray to our God, Who is in

Heaven,

" That we may fulfil His commandments,

" To the everlasting Glory of His Name : " And that, in this Valley of Tears, " We may overcome the pains of hell, " And find our way into His Garden. "