184. Communion

LORD, I have knelt and tried to pray to-night,

But Thy love came upon me like a sleep,

And all desire died out; upon the deep

Of Thy mere love I lay, each thought in light

Dissolving like the sunset clouds, at rest

Each tremulous wish, and my strength weakness, sweet

As a sick boy with soon o’erwearied feet

Finds, yielding him unto his mother’s breast

To weep for weakness there. I could not pray,

But with closed eyes I felt Thy bosom’s love

Beating toward mine, and then I would not move

Till of itself the joy should pass away;

At last my heart found voice,—‘Take me, O Lord,

And do with me according to Thy word.’