Catherine Winkworth · 191 of 207

Lamp within me! brightly burn and glow

THE VIRGIN'S LAMP.

Lamp within me! brightly burn and glow, Draw thy flame from Jesu's heart, Whence a living fire doth ever flow, Clearer flaming 'mid the sorest smart; I will guard thy flame in stillness meek, Nought so eagerly shall bid me seek Him who can my wants supply, As the fear thy light should die.

He will quench it not, but haste to pour Oil from His exhaustless cruse; Then the soul is filled with light once more And the twilight's terrors she doth lose; Safe she walks on her illumined way Through the midnight, till the Voice shall say, "Lo! the Bridegroom and the feast are near; Virgins, haste to meet Him, He is here."

Well for those who in His strength have lived, Pure as He is pure within; Who with deep abhorrence aye have grieved O'er the slightest taint of sin, Hearts that trembled at the smallest spot, And till cleansed and pardoned, rested not; Theirs the light that hath no shade, Theirs the wreath that cannot fade.

Brenne hell du Lampe meiner Seele