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The Servant.--Now, tender Lady, put an end to thy sorrow and thy
sad
recital, and tell me how thou didst separate from thy Beloved.
Answer.--It was a misery to see and hear. Alas, all was yet
supportable, while I had my Child with me; but when they tore my
dead Child from my blighted heart, from my embracing arms, from my
face pressed to His, and buried Him, what a wailing I set up in
that hour would hardly be believed; and then when it came to the
separation, oh, what an agony, what woe, were seen in me! For when
they separated me from my Beloved, the separating wrestled with my
heart like bitter death. Supported by their hands who led me away,
I walked with tottering steps, for I was robbed of all
consolation, my heart longed woefully to return to my Love, my
confidence was wholly set in Him, I rendered Him alone of all
mankind entire fidelity and true attachment, even to the grave.
The Servant.--Oh, affectionate and tender Lady, for this do all
hearts greet thee, all tongues praise thee, since all the good
that the Fatherly heart has vouchsafed to give us, flowed through
thy hands. Thou are the beginning, thou art the means, thou shalt
also be the end. Alas, pure and tender Mother, let me remind thee
today of thy miserable separation; think of thy bitter separating
from thy tender Child, and help me that I may not be separated
either from thee or from His joyous countenance.
Yes, pure Mother,
even as my soul now stands by thee with compassionate sympathy,
and embraces thee with ardent desire, and, in contemplation with
heartfelt desire, with thanksgiving and praise, leads thee from
the sepuchre through the gate of Jerusalem back again to thy
house, so do I crave that, at my last departure, my soul may be
again led by thee, O pure and tender Mother, to its Fatherland,
and there be confirmed in everlasting bliss. Amen.
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