“Give me thy heart”

With echoing steps the worshippers Departed one by one; The organ’s pealing voice was stilled, The vesper hymn was done; The shadow fell from roof and arch, Dim was the incensed air, One lamp alone, with trembling ray, Told of the Presence there! In the dark church she knelt alone; Her tears were falling fast; “Help, Lord,” she cried, “the shades of death Upon my soul are cast! Have I not shunned the path of sin, And chose the better part?”— What voice came through the sacred air?— “My child, give me thy heart!” “Have not I laid before thy shrine My wealth, O Lord?” she cried; “Have I kept aught of gems or gold, To minister to pride? Have I not bade youth’s joys retire, And vain delights depart?”— But sad and tender was the voice,— “My child, give me thy heart!” “Have I not, Lord, gone day by day Where thy poor children dwell; And carried help, and gold, and food? O Lord, thou know’st it well! From many a house, from many a soul, My hand bids care depart”:— More sad, more tender was the voice,— “My child, give me thy heart!” “Have I not worn my strength away With fast and penance sore? Have I not watched and wept?” she cried; “Did thy dear saints do more? Have I not gained thy grace, O Lord, And won in heaven my part?”— It echoed louder in her soul,— “My child, give me thy heart! “For I have loved thee with a love No mortal heart can show; A love so deep my saints in heaven Its depths can never know: When pierced and wounded on the cross, Man’s sin and doom were mine, I loved thee with undying love, Immortal and divine! “I loved thee ere the skies were spread; My soul bears all thy pains; To gain thy love my sacred heart In earthly shrines remains: Vain are thy offerings, vain thy sighs, Without one gift divine; Give it, my child, thy heart to me, And it shall rest in mine!” In awe she listened, as the shade Passed from her soul away; In low and trembling voice she cried,— “Lord, help me to obey! Break thou the chains of earth, O Lord, That bind and hold my heart; Let it be thine and thine alone, Let none with thee have part. “Send down, O Lord, thy sacred fire! Consume and cleanse the sin That lingers still within its depths: Let heavenly love begin. That sacred flame thy saints have known, Kindle, O Lord, in me, Thou above all the rest forever, And all the rest in thee.” The blessing fell upon her soul; Her angel by her side Knew that the hour of peace was come; Her soul was purified; The shadows fell from roof and arch, Dim was the incensed air,— But peace went with her as she left The sacred Presence there!