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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


JOY IN MARTYRDOM by JEANNE MARIE BOUVIER DE LA MOTTE GUYON

First Line: SWEET TENANTS OF THIS GROVE!
Last Line: WHAT THOU CANST UNDERSTAND.

SWEET tenants of this grove,
Who sing, without design,
A song of artless love,
In unison with mine:
These echoing shades return
Full many a note of ours,
That wise ones cannot learn
With all their boasted powers.

O Thou! whose sacred charms
These hearts so seldom love,
Although Thy beauty warms
And blesses all above;
How slow are human things
To choose their happiest lot!
All-glorious King of kings,
Say why we love Thee not?

This heart, that cannot rest,
Shall Thine for ever prove;
Though bleeding and distressed,
Yet joyful in Thy love:
'Tis happy, though it breaks
Beneath Thy chastening hand;
And speechless,--yet it speaks
What Thou canst understand.



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