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Poetry
Chaikhana
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About Mechthild of MagdeburgTimeline (1207 - 1297) |
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English version by Original Language |
The devil also offers his spirit
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The devil also offers his spirit
To those who in hatred and proud desire Are ready for the worst. Such know not that love leads to all good, They become poor from hatred And the fury of the devil, So that it becomes impossible They should ever again find or follow The love of God. True love praises God constantly; Longing love gives the pure heart sweet sorrow; Seeking love belongs to itself alone; Understanding love loves all in common; Enlightening love is mingled and sadness; Selfless love bears fruit without effort; It functions so quietly That the body knows nothing of it. Clear love is still, in God alone, Seeing that both have one will And there is no creature so noble That it can hinder them. This is written by Knowledge Out of the everlasting book. Gold is often heavily flecked by copper, Just as falseness and vain honor Blot out virtue from the human soul. The ignoble soul to whom passing things are so dear That it never trembled before Love Never heard God speak lovingly in it -- Alas! to such this life is darkness!
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Ivan
M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright ©
2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or
publishers.
