Chapter V
Shows in what manner the Soul makes answer to her God.
"O LORD, You measure all my desire, And blessed be Your Name! Gladly I partake of this Holy Sacrament, A priceless gift, Wherein I receive Your Holy Body, Sweet and comfortable to me. This is my Bread of Heaven, And they who do not eat of it, have no Life in them. This, too, is the Food of Angels, Wherein is the delight of the wise. The world, which knows not the taste of it, has other gifts to bring its joy and sorrow. O Lord, You do even condescend That we should eat together; And I strain and gasp in my desire for You , Yet can I not consume You .
The more I eat the fiercer is my hunger; The more I drink the greater is my thirst; And always have I more remaining over, Than all men could consume. You, O Lord, are a generous host, And all that is consumed is paid for at Your Hands. Eagerly I drink the Living Blood, Flowing from Your Side and Holy Body, Precious and Priceless. So sweet is It in my mouth, That I am as if intoxicated, caring not to hide it. Lord, Your Blood is more precious Than the juice of pomegranates. Therewith will I fill all my vessels, For I am bold and greatly daring, And care nothing for the world without. I am satiated, and yet I cease not from desiring. That which I have, I cannot consume, And all I have is nothing worth to me. I follow after that which flies from me, And, as I follow, my desire grows greater."
But that which manifests in mode cannot comprehend the Modeless: "With-mode" and "Modeless" - these, indeed, are twain; And nevermore shall they be one. They abide for ever separate, And neither can usurp the other's place. True faith, and a true rule and mode of life, Rightly are these held in honour: For the ordinances of Holy Church Rest in rule, and mode, and weight, and measure.
Let us live therefore in the Mode of reason That we may attain, beyond the reason, to the Life of Contemplation.