55. Hymn of St. Francis Xavier.
My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for Heaven thereby;
Nor because they 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;
E'en death itself—and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.
Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ!
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the sake of winning Heaven,
Or of escaping Hell;
Not with the hope of gaining aught;
Not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving 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.
56. Hymn for the Month of May.
Green are the leaves, and sweet the flowers,
And rich the hues of May;
We see them in the gardens round,
