Thougths This Day

Oh thou, by long experience tried,

Near whom no grief can long abide

My Love! how full of sweet content

I pass my years of banishment.

All scenes alike engaging prove

To souls impressed with sacred love,

Where 'er they dwell they dwell in thee,

In heav'n, in earth or on the sea.

To me remains nor place nor time,

My country is in every clime,

I can be calm and free from care

On any shore, since God is there.

.....

Could I be cast where thou art not,

that were indeed a dreadful lot,

But regions none remote I call,

Secure of finding God in all.

My country, Lord, art thou alone,

Nor other can I claim or own,

The point where all my wishes meet,

My law, my love, Life's only sweet.

~Mdm. Jeanne Marie Bouvier Guyon

1648-1717