RUYSBROECK The Devotional Library. Handsomely printed and bound, price 3s. 6d. each volume. _THIRD EDITION._ THE KEY OF THE GRAVE. A Book for the Bereaved. By W. ROBERTSON NICOLL, M.A., LL.D. _SECOND EDITION._ MEMORANDA SACRA. By Professor J. RENDEL HARRIS, M.A., Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. _THE GENERAL GORDON EDITION._ CHRIST MYSTICAL. By JOSEPH HALL, D.D., Bishop of Norwich. Reprinted, with General Gordon’s marks, from the Original Copy used by him, and with an Introduction on his Theology By the Rev. H. CARRUTHERS WILSON, M.A. LONDON: HODDER AND STOUGHTON. RUYSBROECK AND THE MYSTICS WITH SELECTIONS FROM RUYSBROECK BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK TRANSLATED BY JANE T. STODDART LONDON HODDER AND STOUGHTON 27 PATERNOSTER ROW MDCCCXCIV TRANSLATOR’S NOTE The following is an authorised translation of the essay prefixed by M. Maeterlinck to L’Ornement des Noces Spirituelles, de Ruysbroeck L’Admirable, Traduit du Flamand par Maurice Maeterlinck, which was published in 1891 by Paul Lacomblez of Brussels. I have added selected passages from Ruysbroeck’s own work. CONTENTS PAGE M. MAETERLINCK’S INTRODUCTION TO HIS TRANSLATION OF “THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE”-- I 1 II 29 SELECTED PASSAGES FROM “THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE” ON THE KINGDOM OF THE SOUL 122 CHRIST THE SUN OF THE SOUL 126 THE LESSON FROM THE BEE 129 THE DEW OF MID-DAY 130 THE LESSON FROM THE ANT 132 WHAT SHALL THE FORSAKEN DO? 134 THE SETTING OF THE ETERNAL SUN 137 THE NATURE OF GOD 138 THE DIVINE GENEROSITY 139 CHRIST THE LOVER OF ALL MEN 141 HOW CHRIST GAVE HIMSELF TO US IN THE SACRAMENT 142 THE SOUL’S HUNGER FOR GOD 147 THE LABOUR AND REST OF LOVE 150 THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 151 THE COMING OF THE BRIDEGROOM 152 M. MAETERLINCK’S INTRODUCTION TO HIS TRANSLATION OF “THE ADORNMENT OF THE SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE.” I