CANTICLE II
‘In foco I Amor mi mise’
Love sets me all on fire,
Love sets me all on fire.
I.
Into Love’s fire I’m cast
By my sweet Bridegroom new,
As on the ring He passed.
This loving Lamb me threw
Into a prison fast.
He pierced me through and through,
And broke my heart at last.
Love sets me all on fire.
II.
He pierced my heart ; and lo !
On earth my body lay ;
The shaft from Love’s cross-bow
Hath rent my heart away.
He aimed a mighty blow,
Then peace to war gave way ;
I die of sweetest woe.
Love sets me all on fire
III.
I die of sweetest woe,
No wonder, for the aim
That struck me such a blow.
From Love’s own lances came,
A hundred arms’ length, — know,
The blade that pierced my frame,
And laid my body low.
Love sets me all on fire.
IV.
He aimed His blows so fast,
I thrill’d with agony;
I took a shield at last ;
‘Twas no avail to me,
His darts anew He cast,
And struck so mightily,
That all my strength was past.
Love sets me all on fire.
V.
So hard His blows that I
Found all resistance vain ;
Knowing that I must die,
I cried : * O spare my pain !*
But hopeless was my cry.
For he began again,
A new device to try.
Love sets me all on fire.
VI.
And now He cast at me
So heavy stones and great,
Each one of them would be
A thousand pounds in weight.
‘Twas vain to count them, He
Took aim so sure and straight.
And hurled so rapidly.
Love sets me all on fire.
VII.
He aimed His darts so well,
None ever glanced astray.
Prone on the ground I fell,
All helpless there I lay.
Spent and immovable.
Whether I’d passed away,
Or lived, I could not tell.
Love sets me all on fire.
VIII.
But lo ! I did not die :
For my beloved Lord,
To crown His victory,
My life anew restored,
So keen and fresh, that I
That moment could have soared
To join the saints on high.
Love sets me all on fire.
IX.
In life and limb restored,
And full of courage new.
Again I drew my sword,
And to the battle flew ;
Once more with Him I warred,
And when I fought anew,
I conquered Christ my Lord.
Love sets me all on fire.
X.
When Christ I overthrew,
Again was peace restored.
For well I knew how true
The love of Christ my Lord.
And now, an ardour new
Within my heart is poured.
I burn with love anew
For Christ my Spouse adored.
Love sets me all on fire,
Love sets me all on fire.