My rising soul, with strong desires,
To perfect happiness aspires,
With steady steps would tread the road
That leads to Heaven–that leads to God.

I thirst to drink unmingled love
From the pure fountainhead above;
My dearest Lord, I long to be
Empty’d of sin, and full of thee.

For thee I pant, for thee I burn;
Art thou withdrawn? again return,
Nor let me be the first to say,
Thou wilt not hear when sinners pray.