Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By II. “O Love, who formedst me to wear”Catherine Winkworth (1829–1878)
O L
The image of Thy Godhead here;
Who soughtest me with tender care
Through all my wanderings wild and drear;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
Thy choice on me hast gently laid;
O Love, who here as man wast born,
And wholly like to us wast made;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
Pierced through and through with bitter woe;
O Love, who wrestling thus didst gain
That we eternal joy might know;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
The Word and Spirit, life and power,
Whose heart was bared to them that smite,
To shield us in our trial hour;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
Beneath that gentle yoke of Thine;
Love, who hast conquered me at last,
And rapt away this heart of mine;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
Who for my soul dost ever plead;
O Love, who didst my ransom pay,
Whose power sufficeth in my stead,
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.
From out this dying life of ours;
O Love, who once o’er yonder skies
Shalt set me in the fadeless bowers;
O Love, I give myself to Thee,
Thine ever, only Thine to be.