Translation of JOHN A. DIX. [A]
[Footnote A: General Dix's first translation of the "Dies Irae" was
made in 1863; the revised version (given above) appeared in 1875.
Bayard Taylor wrote of the earlier one: "I have ... heretofore sought
in vain to find an adequate translation. Those which reproduced the
spirit neglected the form, and _vice versa_. There can be no higher
praise for yours than to say that it preserves both."]
* * * * *
MY GOD, I LOVE THEE.
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.
From the Latin of ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.
Translation of EDWARD CASWALL.
* * * * *
VENT CREATOR SPIRITUS.
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