Classic Poem

One longing fills my heart that else
With earthly cravings would o'erflow;
One pure desire within me dwells
Amid desires I would forego;
One longing deep that day by day
Sweeps every lesser wish away.

It is not that I choose no more
Between the shadow and the sun;
That vanities no longer lure;
That sweet and bitter are as one;
But that this longing day by day
Sweeps every lesser wish away.

If now I triumph, now I fail,
Or now attain an inward peace,
If now temptations sore assail,
All things this longing but increase;
And oh! this longing day by day
All gains, all losses doth outweigh.

It is for Thee, for Thee alone,
Who art beyond all language dear;
In life, in death, Thou only One
Who stoopest low, who drawest near;
For Thee I hunger day by day,
And pray the more the more I pray.

Come, Daily Bread of gracious taste;
Sweet Manna endlessly supplied;
Thou hidden Joy that cannot waste;
Our Wayside Strength, however tried;
Come, Blessed Jesus, day by day,
Lest we should faint beside the way!

Come, God and Saviour, to Thine own;
Revealed to Faith's anointed eyes,
Make Thou Thy very Presence known
Though veiled in holy mysteries;
And oh! — the sum of all I pray —
Sweep Thou at last the veil away!