Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HYMN, by FRANCIS XAVIER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HYMN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: My god, I love thee, not because
Last Line: And my eternal king.
Alternate Author Name(s): Francisco De Yasu Y Javier
Subject(s): God


MY God, I love thee! not because
I hope for heaven thereby;
Nor because those who love thee not
Must burn eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace!
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace,
And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony,
Yea, death itself, -- and all for one
That was thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as thyself hast loved me,
O everlasting Lord!
E'en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing, --
Solely because thou art my God,
And my eternal king.




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