Come Down, O Love Divine

Come down

O love divine

seek thou this soul of mine

and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;

O Comforter

draw near

within my heart appear

and kindle it

thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn

till earthly passions turn

to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;

and let thy glorious light

shine ever on my sight

and clothe me round

the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity

mine outward vesture be

and lowliness become mine inner clothing;

true lowliness of heart

which takes the humbler part

and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong

with which the soul will long

shall far outpass the power of human telling;

for none can guess its grace

till he becomes the place

wherein the Holy Spirit makes His dwelling.