88. Thee Will I Love

Thee will I love, my strength, my tow'r, Thee will I love, my joy, my crown, Thee will I love with all my pow'r, in all thy works, and thee alone; Thee will I love, till the pure fire fill my whole soul with chaste desire.

2.

Ah, why did I so late thee know, thee, lovelier than the sons of men!  Ah, why did I no sooner go to thee, the only ease in pain!  Ashamed, I sigh, and inly mourn, that I so late to thee did turn.

3.

In darkness willingly I strayed, I sought thee, yet from thee I roved; Far wide my wand'ring tho'ts were spread, thy creatures more than thee I loved; And now if more at length I see, ’tis thro' thy light and comes from thee.

4.

I thank thee, uncreated sun, that thy bright beams on me have shined; I thank thee, who hast overthrown my foes, and healed my wounded mind; I thank thee, whose enlivening voice bids my freed heart in thee rejoice.

5.

Thee will I love, my joy, my crown, Thee will I love, my Lord, my God; Thee will I love, beneath thy frown, or smile, thy scepter, or thy rod;

What tho' my flesh and heart decay?  Thee shall I love in endless day!