The pain is then most biting, deeper far it delves.

The pain is then most biting, deeper far it delves. Unwillingly has leaped this subject from my mind. I fear ’twill leave despair in many, deep behind. Despair thou not; take consolation to thy soul; And cry to that Deliverer who can make thee whole: 25 "Thou Lover of forgiveness! Pardon to me grant! Physician of the soul! Relieve my direful want!" Such counsel wise drove mad that erring sinner, quite. Think not of him. ’Twill tire thy mind beyond respite. My friend!

This counsel tells with equal force on thee. It flows through all the saints, though transient thou it see. Within the house a gleam of light has been espied. This light comes from a neighbour's lamp, with oil supplied. Give thanks for it. Be not puffed up. Snort not, good man! 30 To me lend ear. Presumption chase to utmost span. Alas! that this most transient ray of dubious light, The nations has seduced from God's sole path of right.

I'll be the very slave of him, who, at each stage, Will not suppose the goal ’tis of his pilgrimage. How many stages are there must be left behind, Before the traveller reach the home he bears in mind. Although the iron may glow red, the colour's not Its own; ’tis but reflection of the fire that's hot. A window or a house with light may be suffused; 35 But still, the source of light is in the sun, diffused. Each wall, each gate, may cry amain: "I shine! I shine! I have no need of other's light.

’Tis mine! ’Tis mine!" But then the sun demurs: "O thing of little sense! So soon as I shall set, thy darkness will be dense!" The plants may think their verdure's all their very own. So fresh, so green; so pleasant every flower full-blown. But then again the summer season makes comment: "When I am past, your present charms will soon be spent." A beauty's lovely body prides itself as fair. 40 Her spirit, having hid itself within its lair, Remarks: "Thou dunghill! Wherefore all this silly pride?

Thou bloomest but a day or two, while I preside. Thy affectation, vanity, ’s too vast for me. But stay till I depart: then straightway thou shalt see. Thy lovers then shall loathe thy charms, adored before. To worms, and toads, and snakes they'll fling thee, as cheap store. Thy stench shall make him hold his nose in deep disgust, Who lately in thy presence would have licked the dust." Reflections from the spirit are the tongue, the eye, the ear.

Accessions from the fire steam's bubbles ’tis upbear.