When I knew myself a Thorn, soft Rose-buds' Swell I sought for then; When I saw myself all bitter, sweet Honey's Cell I sought for then. When I saw myself all Poison, I quaffed Life's Stream as Antidote; When I saw myself Lees turbid, Wine's clear Foam Bell I sought for then. When I saw myself all sour Fruit, I caught the ripening Sunbeams' Glow; When I saw myself droop feebly, the breezy Fell I sought for then. When I saw myself all blinded, the healing Power of Jesus' Hand; When I knew it could the Darkness from my Eyes dispel I sought for then.[27] Love's Touch became my Eyesalve, and all my Soul's dull Blindness fled; And, my Heart of Thirst a-dying, His sweet, pure Well I sought for then. I am Fire that never burneth; and thou, the Wind that makes it burn; O thou Wind, with my Fire playing, aye in me dwell: I sought for then. [27] Rückert avoids the name of Jesus; not so Von Hammer. Thy Hand! XXXII. Lord, that I thee may find, O stretch to me thy Hand! Close-clasped for ever, kind, O stretch to me thy hand! O'er Earth it gathers dark, and ever deeper here Where dim cross Footpaths wind, O stretch to me thy Hand! The Malice of the World and deadly Hate I know; Where the Danger grows defined, O stretch to me thy Hand! The Pilgrim's Journey still is threatened by the Foe; But to thwart the Ill designed, O stretch to me thy Hand! O come, and let it press upon this burning Heart; Though Tears my glad Eyes blind, O stretch to me thy Hand! Fair Moon, up to thy Palace all shining, I would climb; But lest I halt behind, O stretch to me thy hand! The Priests XXXIII. Love called to Men from Heaven's bright Gate, 'Who look to God now, soon and late?' ''Tis we who look aloft to God,' To Love replied the Priests elate. Love cried 'How can ye look on high, Who thus your Forms and Words inflate? Ye cannot see where pure Light dwells, So full your Eyes of Greed and Hate. Your dark Deeds dim the Noontide's Ray; Ye shame the Sun while thus ye prate. The Grace that sits enthroned on high, Can ne'er its Claim of Faith abate. Nor can the Just One justly give The Hearing which ye supplicate. O ere ye look to Heaven again, Put off all earthly Pride and State. Your Hearts let Love, not Hatred, rule; Then look to God, and on Him wait!' The Pilgrims XXXIV.