HYMN OF ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Ignatius, of Loyola, Saint and Coppens, Charles
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.
Translation of E. Caswall.