MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG
Then speaks the youth: "Thy dance of praise is well done. Thou shalt have thy will, for thou art heartily wearied. Come at mid-day to the shady fountain, to the bed of love. There shalt thou be refreshed."
Then, weary of the dance, the soul says to her Chamberlains, the senses: "Withdraw from me, I must go where I may cool myself."
Then say the senses: "Lady, wilt thou be refreshed with the loving tears of St. Mary Magdalene? They may well suffice thee."
"Be silent, sirs; you know not what I mean. Hinder me not. I would drink for a space of the unmingled wine."
"Lady, in the Virgin's chastity the great love is reached."
"That may be. For me it is not the highest."
"Lady, thou mightst cool thyself in the martyrs' blood."
"I have been martyred many a day, so that I have no need to come to that now."
"Lady, bright are the angels, and lovely in love's hue. Wouldst thou cool thyself, be lifted up with them."
"The bliss of the angels brings me love's woe unless I see their Lord, my Bridegroom."
"Lady, if thou comest there, thou wilt be blinded quite, so fiery hot is the Godhead, as thou thyself well knowest, for the fire and the glow which make heaven and all the holy ones burn and shine, all flow from His divine
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