OF SIX MEDIAEVAL WOMEN 



the world was. I long for thee, and thou 

 longest for me. When two burning desires 

 come together, then is love perfected/' 



Sometimes the loving soul traverses a dark 

 way, and cries out in desolation and despair : 

 " Lord, since Thou hast taken from me all that 

 I had of Thee, yet of Thy grace leave me that 

 gift which every dog has by nature that in 

 my distress I may be true to Thee, without any 

 ill-will. This do I truly desire more than all 

 Thy heavenly kingdom." 



And Divine Love makes answer : " Sweet 

 Dove, now list to me. Thy secret seeking must 

 needs find me, thy heart's distress must needs 

 compel me, thy loving pursuit has so wearied 

 me, that I long to cool myself in thy pure soul 

 in the which I am imprisoned. The throbbing 

 sighs of thy sore heart have driven my justice 

 from thee. All is right between me and thee. 

 I cannot be sundered from thee. However far 

 we are parted, never can we be separated. I 

 cause thee extreme pain of body. If I gave 

 myself to thee as oft as thou wouldst, I should 

 thus deprive myself of the sweet shelter I have 

 in thee in this world." 



Again the soul cries out but now discomfited 

 by the Divine Love from whose tireless quest 

 there is no escape "Thou hast pursued and 

 captured and bound me, and hast wounded me 

 so deeply that never shall I be healed. Thou 

 hast given me many a hard blow. Tell me, 

 shall I ever get whole from Thee ? Shall I 



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