Every moment the voice of Love is coming from left and right. We are bound for heaven: who has a mind to sight-seeing? We have been in heaven, we have been friends of the angels; Thither, Sire, let us return, for that is our country. THE SEA OF LOVE Mankind, like waterfowl, are sprung from the sea--the Sea of Soul; Risen from that Sea, why should the bird make here his home? Nay, we are pearls in that Sea, therein we all abide; Else, why does wave follow wave from the Sea of Soul? 'Tis the time of Union's attainment, 'tis the time of Eternity's beauty, 'Tis the time of favour and largesse, 'tis the Ocean of perfect purity. The billow of largesse hath appeared, the thunder of the Sea hath arrived, The morn of blessedness hath dawned. Morn? No, 'tis the Light of God. THE BEAUTY OF THE BELOVED O Beloved, spiritual beauty is very fair and glorious, But Thine own beauty and loveliness is another thing. O Thou who art years describing Spirit, Show one quality that is equal to His Essence. Light waxes in the eye at the imagination of Him, But in presence of His Union it is dimmed. I stand open-mouthed in veneration of that beauty: "God is most great" is on my heart's lips every moment. The heart hath gotten an eye constant in desire of Thee. O how that desire feeds heart and eye! 'Tis slave-caressing Thy Love has practised; Else, where is the heart worthy of that Love? Every heart that has slept one night in Thy air Is like radiant day. THE WATER OF ETERNAL LIFE Every form you see has its archetype in the placeless world; If the form perished, no matter, since its Original is everlasting. Every fair shape you have seen, every deep saying you have heard, Be not cast down that it perished; for that is not so. Whereas the Spring-head is undying, its branch gives water continually; Since neither can cease, why are you lamenting? Conceive the Soul as a fountain, and these created things as rivers: While the Fountain flows, the rivers run from it. Put grief out of your head and keep quaffing this River-water; Do not think of the Water failing, for this Water is without end. EARTHLY LOVE AND THE LOVE DIVINE 'Twere better that the spirit which wears not true Love as a garment Had not been: its being is but shame. * * * * * * * *¨* * * * * * * Without the dealing of Love there is no entrance to the Beloved. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 'Tis Love and the Lover that live to all Eternity; Set not thy heart on aught else; 'tis only borrowed, How long wilt thou embrace a dead beloved? Embrace the Soul which is embraced by nothing. What was born of spring dies in autumn, Love's rose-plot hath no aiding from the early spring. "THE HOUSE OF LOVE"