My Joy, my Life, my Crown!

My heart was meaning [52] all the day,

Somewhat it fain would say,

And still it runneth muttering up and down

With only this, My Joy, my Life, my Crown!

Yet slight not these few words;

If truly said, they may take part

Among the best in art:

The fineness which a hymn or psalm affords

Is, when the soul unto the lines accords.

He who craves all the mind,

And all the soul, and strength, and time,

If the words only rhyme,

Justly complains that somewhat is behind

To make His verse, or write a hymn in kind.

Whereas, if th' heart be moved,

Although the verse be somewhat scant,

GOD doth supply the want;

As when th' heart says, sighing to be approved,

O, could I love!' and stops, -- GOD writeth, 'Loved.'

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Footnotes:

[52] meaning, intending a good matter