Exclamation VI

1. 0 my Joy, Lord of all things and my God! how long must I languish for Thy presence? What solace wilt Thou grant to one who has so little earthly comfort , that she may find peace while absent from Thee?

2. Oh tedious, oh painful, oh dying life! what lonely

2 Confessions of Saint Aug., Bk. xi. ch. ii: " Give me somewhat to ofíer to Thee, for I am poor and needy, whilst Thou art rich to all who call upon Thee." solitude! How hopeless is my case! How long, Lord, how long shall it endure? What shall I do, my sovereign Good, what shall I do? Shall I desire not to desire Thee?

3. O God my Creator! Who dost wound, yet dost not heal; Who dost strike but leave no wound; dost kill and give new life by it; in a word. Who art almighty, and therefore dost what pleaseth Thee; wilt Thou make such a wretched worm suffer these conflicting pains? Be it so, my God, since it is Thy will, for I only seek to love Thee." But alas, alas, my Creator, bitter anguish wrings this complaint from me, making me speak of that for which there is no remedy until Thou providest one! The soul, thus pent in bondage, longs for liberty, yet would not move one hair's breadth from the path Thou choosest for it. Do Thou, my Glory, either increase my pain, or cure it altogether.

4. Ah, death, death, I know not why men dread thee, since life is found in thee! Yet who that has not always loved God in the past would fear thee not? Since I am such a one, what do I desire and ask? Will death but bring the punishment my sins so justly merit? Permit it not, my sovereign Good, for it cost Thee dear to ransom me!

5. O my soul, submit to the will of thy God: this is best for thee: serve Him and trust to His mercy to ease thy pain, when by penance thou hast won some little claim to pardon for thy sins: seek not to rejoice until thou hast suffered!

6. Alas, my true Lord and King, I am incapable even of this, unaided by Thy sovereign power and majesty, but with these I can do all things!