Chapter V

Showeth in what manner the Soul maketh answer to her God.

" O LORD, Thou tellest all my desire,

" And blessed be Thy Name !

" Gladly I partake of this Holy Sacrament,

" A priceless gift,

" Wherein I receive Thy Holy Body,

" Sweet and comfortable unto me.

" This is my Bread of Heaven,

" And they who do not eat Thereof, have no Life in them.

" This, too, is the Food of Angels,

" Wherein is the delight of the wise.

" The world, which knoweth not the taste Thereof,

" Hath other gifts to bring its joy and sorrow.

" O Lord, Thou dost even condescend

" That we should eat together ;

" And I strain and gasp in my desire for Thee,

" Yet can I not consume u Thee.

" The more I eat — the fiercer is my hunger ; " The more I drink — the greater is my thirst ; " And always have I more remaining over, " Than all men could consume.

" Thou, O Lord, art a generous host, " And all that is consumed is paid for at Thy Hands.

" Eagerly I drink the Living Blood, " Flowing from Thy Side and Holy

Body,

" Precious and Priceless. " So sweet is It in my mouth, " That I am as if intoxicated, caring not to hide it.

" Lord, Thy Blood is more precious " Than the juice of pomegranates. " Therewith will I fill all my vessels, " For I am bold and greatly daring, " And care nothing for the world without.

" I am satiated, and yet I cease not from desiring.

" That which I have, I cannot consume,

" And all I have is nothing worth to me.

" I follow after that which flieth from me,

" And, as I follow, my desire groweth greater 12."

But that which manifesteth in mode cannot comprehend the Modeless : ' ' With-mode " and " Modeless 13 " — these, indeed, are twain ; And nevermore shall they be one. They abide for ever separate, And neither can usurp the other's place. True faith, and a true rule and mode of life,

Rightly are these held in honour : For the ordinances of Holy Church Rest in rule, and mode, and weight, and measure.

Let us live therefore in the Mode of reason That we may attain, beyond the reason, to the Life of Contemplation.