From my humility; if we compare Loftiness with thee, 'twill on earth remain. Such as I am I love thee, and I dare To say that I advance in loving sure Unto the highest point in Love's career, Wherefore in merit I am not so poor That as an enemy thou shouldst me treat-- Rather, methinks, my guerdon should endure. So great a cruelty doth ill befit Such loveliness, and where we do perceive Such worth, there doth ingratitude ill sit. On thee fain would I call account to give Of a soul yielded thee; where was it thrown? How, when my soul is gone, do I yet live? Didst thou not deign to make my heart thy throne? What can he give thee more who loves thee more? Herein how well was thy presumption shown! I have been soulless from the earliest hour I saw thee for my bliss and for my pain, For all were pain if I saw thee no more. There I of my free heart gave thee the rein, Thou rulest me, for thee alone I live, And yet thy power can more than this attain. Within the flame of pure Love I revive And am undone, since from the death of Love I, like a phœnix, straightway life receive. This would I have thee think all things above, In faith of this my faith, that it is sure That I live glowing in the fire of Love, And that thou canst e'en after death restore Me unto life, and in a moment guide From the wild ocean to the peaceful shore. For Love in thee and power dwell side by side, And are united, reigning over me. They waver not nor falter in their pride-- And here I end lest I should weary thee.