Sarum Gradual, 1527
Cento from Dulcis Iesu Memoria
Translated by J.M. Neale
JESU! the very thought is sweet !
In that dear name all heart-joys meet ;
But sweeter than the honey far
The glimpses of his presence are.
No word is sung more sweet than this :
No name is heard more full of bliss ;
No thought brings sweeter comfort nigh,
Than JESUS, Son of God most high.
JESUS, the hope of souls forlorn,
How good to them for sin that mourn ;
To them that seek thee, O How kind ;
But what art thou to them that find ?
JESUS, thou sweetness, pure and blest,
Truth's fountain, light of souls distrest,
Surpassing all that heart requires,
Exceeding all that soul desires !
No tongue of mortal can express,
No letters write its blessedness :
Alone who hath thee in his heart
Knows, love of JESUS, what thou art.
I seek for JESUS in repose,
Where round my heart the shadows close;
Abroad, and when I shut the door,
I long for JESUS evermore.
As Mary in the morning gloom
Sought out her Master at the tomb,
So now, with love's most earnest cry,
I seek with heart and not with eye.
JESUS, to God the Father gone,
Is seated on the heavenly throne;
My heart hath also passed from me,
That where he is there it may be.
We follow JESUS now, and raise
The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise,
That he at last may make us meet
With him to gain the heavenly seat.
+Iesu dulcis memoria
