And a new strength put within me 

 To resist delights that win me 

 From the duty God commands. 

 Thou hast blessed me with thy hands, 

 Which have ever shared my toil, 

 Heeding neither ache nor soil, 



And caressed me, 

 Making all my burdens lighter, 

 And the sky of hope still brighter. 

 Dear hands only made for smoothing 

 Restless pillows, and for soothing 

 Tired hearts would they were mine 

 To have and hold by right divine! 



Dost thou love me, my beloved ? 



Dost thou love me ? 

 Thou whom I have from afar 

 Watched and worshipped, like a star 



That above me 



Shines, and yet may never know 

 The blessing that its beams bestow? 

 Thou hast taught me, thou hast blessed me 

 And with happiest thoughts possessed me, 



But to love me 



Is the crowning of all blessing; 

 Making me by thy confessing 

 Rich beyond all power to measure ; 

 Royal, crowned by thy sweet pleasure 

 Sovereign of a fair domain 

 I had hardly thought to gain. 

 Blessing honor, rest thou art, 

 And with undivided heart, 



Dear, I love thee, 



Love thee more than words can tell. 

 And I would that my caressing 

 Could bring thee as rich a blessing, 



f re vermore compel 

 Love s peace in thy 

 heart to dwell. 



