Chapter I
Shows twelve different notions of the Love of Jesus, on the part of the Twelve Beguines.
TWELVE Beguines sat Talking of the fair Lord Jesus Each after her own manner: "Let us treasure this Love," said they, "For sweet is Its beginning, And the end of it passing tender."
The First said: "I would bear the burden of the Love of Jesus, Unaided, save by God, Who strengthens me. Oh, wise are we, who know and who love This noble Son of a Royal House."
The next said:
"Willingly would I love Him, Knew I but how to begin; But He is hidden from me. Alas, I confess that it is I who am at fault; For my heart is restless and distracted, And I live in the midst of petty cares."
The Third said: "He comes to me like One in utter holiness, Showing me all beauty: Anon He flies from me, like a fickle lover, Taking all my joy with Him: And I but follow after Him as best I can. Unwise is he who rejoices in the day, Before he has seen the ending of it
In a calm and peaceful eventide."
The Fourth said:
"The Love of Jesus has betrayed me, And therein have I lost both head and heart; Nor do I know to whom I can complain. Fiercely He consumes me night and day, Asking more than I can give, Making me no fair return."
The Fifth said:
"I should be wrong were I to take it ill That my wages were not paid beforehand. Nor do I wonder thereat; For often times it happens That to him, who works but little, There comes but little profit."
Thus spake the Sixth Beguine:
"What words are these? And what are these demands? Can Jesus cause us trouble? Our sisters err In grieving Him thus. Their words are empty and foolish, And fitter for their Confession."
The Seventh said:
"So great is the hunger of my soul, That, had I all that God could give me, Still were I unsatisfied: And, if He give me not Himself, I have no life in me. Alas, no man can help or counsel me In this my unquenchable longing."
The Eighth said: "The Lord Jesus is a pure stream, Whence all joy fulness flows forth: I hold high festival with Him, For He is mine, and I am His. I cannot live without Him, Who is my allotted Destiny; And He is like a sweet nut to me, Whose shell it were folly not to pierce, For delicious is the Kernel of it. Ah, were all Good within my choice, I would choose Jesus for my God; So greatly do I joy to be with Him"
The Ninth said:
"The Love of the Lord Jesus has deserted me: I follow after Him In strange and unaccustomed paths, Erring continually. All that I had before, now have I lost; And the burden of my sorrow is grievous, For He has stolen away my heart."
The Tenth said:
"The Love of Jesus is so fair, That it has filled my soul. Ever holds He a chalice to my lips, Brimming with His generous wine.
Ah God ! how far greater will be my joy, When He unveils His glorious Face, And I drink deep of that precious wine. Indeed they do wrong to slander Him."
The Eleventh said:
"I know not even if I have desire; For I have lost myself In a fathomless Unknowing. I am swallowed up in Him; and His Mouth Is as a bottomless Abyss," Whence there is no return."
The Twelfth Beguine said:
"Always to do well; such is my will, For there is no idleness in love. To live virtuously in utter faithfulness, And, beyond all virtues, to contemplate the Face of God: Here lies my treasure. To behold the fair beauty of the Godhead; To dissolve in His beloved Presence; Ever to be intoxicated with His Love; This is the Way of Perfection. Let us still gather together, Ever speaking of the joys of Heaven; For this is the Perfect Life. Our Heavenly Father has so loved us, That He has sent and given to us His Son, Who has redeemed us by His Death, Wherein is our everlasting comfort. In Him let us live, And pray to our God, Who is in Heaven, That we may fulfil His commandments, To the everlasting Glory of His Name: And that, in this Valley of Tears, We may overcome the pains of hell, And find our way into His Garden."