“God, in the understanding of high Heaven, Burns more than in our sight the living sun: There to behold His Face unveiled is given; And Heaven, whose will is homage paid to One, Fulfils the things which live In God, from the beginning excellent. So should my lady give That truth which in her eyes is glorified, On which her heart is bent, To me whose service waiteth at her side.

“My lady, God shall ask, ‘What daredst thou?’ (When my soul stands with all her acts reviewed;) ‘Thou passedst Heaven, into My sight, as now, To make Me of vain love similitude. To Me doth praise belong, And to the Queen of all the realm of grace Who endeth fraud and wrong.’ Then may I plead: ‘As though from Thee he came, Love wore an angel’s face: Lord, if I loved her, count it not my shame.’ ”

↩