when shall thy love constrain

When shall Thy love constrain

and draw me to Thy breast?

When shall my soul return again

to her eternal rest?




To rescue me from woe

Thou didst with all things part,

didst lead a suffering life below

to win my worthless heart.




Thy condescending grace

to me did freely move;

it calls me now to seek Thy face,

and stoops to ask my love.




And can I yet delay,

my little all to give,

to tear my soul from earth away

for Jesus to receive?




Nay, but I yield, I yield!

I can hold out no more!

I sink, by dying love compelled,

and own Thee conqueror.




My own desire be this -

Thy love alone to know;

to seek and taste no other bliss,

no other good below!