[Footnote A: General Dix's first translation of the "Dies Irae" was made in 1863; the
revised version (given above) appeared in 1875. Bayard Taylor wrote of the earlier one:
"I have ... heretofore sought in vain to find an adequate translation. Those which
reproduced the spirit neglected the form, and vice versa. There can be no higher praise
for yours than to say that it preserves both."]
*
MY GOD, I LOVE THEE.
My God, I love thee! not because
I hope for heaven thereby;
Nor because those who love thee not
Must burn eternally.
Thou, O my Jesus, thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace!
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace,
And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony,
Yea, death itself,—and all for one
That was thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love thee well?
Not for the hope of winning heaven,
Nor of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught,
Not seeking a reward;
But as thyself hast loved me,
O everlasting Lord!
E'en so I love thee, and will love,
And in thy praise will sing,—
Solely because thou art my God,
And my eternal King.
From the Latin of ST. FRANCIS XAVIER.
Translation of EDWARD CASWALL.