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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HYMN OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou art my god, sole object of my love
Last Line: My god, my father, maker, and my king!
Alternate Author Name(s): Francisco De Yasu Y Javier
Variant Title(s): Prayer Of St. Francis Xavier


Thou art my God, sole object of my love;
Not for the hope of endless joys above;
Not for the fear of endless pains below,
Which they who love thee not must undergo.

For me, and such as me, thou deign'st to bear
An ignominious cross, the nails, the spear:
A thorny crown transpierc'd thy sacred brow,
While bloody sweats from ev'ry member flow.

For me in tortures thou resign'd'st thy breath,
Embrac'd me on the cross, and sav'd me by thy death.
And can these suff'rings fail my heart to move?
What but thyself can now deserve my love?

Such as then was, and is, thy love to me,
Such is, and shall be still, my love to thee --
To thee, Redeemer! mercy's sacred spring!
My God, my Father, Maker, and my King!





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