The Cherubinic Wanderer XIV - Thought And Deed Poem by Angelus Silesius

THOUGHT AND DEED

333
THOU MUST WIN IT HERE
Here must thy deed be done.
'Twere an undreamed-of thing
That he who wins no Kingdom here
Should there become a King.

334
THOU MUST ALSO BEAR FRUIT
If thou dost drink the Blood of God
And yet no fruit be found in thee,
On thee shall fall a curse more fell
Than once did blast that barren tree.

335
VIRTUE REMAINETH AT REST
If putting Virtue into act
Thou findest drudgery and moil,
Virtue thou hast not yet attained
But after Virtue still dost toil.

336
RISE ABOVE HOLINESS
If thou art holy, it is well; but wouldst thou find
Favour with God and Man, leave holiness behind.

337
MAN MUST CHANGE HIMSELF
Everything changeth, Man. Canst thou remain alone
Careless of betterment and changeless as a Stone?

338
SLUGGARDRY WINNETH NOT HEAVEN
Sluggard, bestir thyself! Wilt thou
For ever lie abed and doze?
Heaven will not fly into thy mouth
While thou art taking thy repose.

339
WHO STANDS UNMOVED BELONGS NOT TO THE WHOLE
The Sun gives movement unto all,
And makes the Stars dance in the sky:
If I still stand immovable
No part in the great Whole have I.

340
A DARKENED HEART SEETH NOT
Give heed unto the Flame. If lamps are burning dim,
The Bridegroom when he comes, who shall distinguish him.

341
THE WORK PROVETH THE MASTER
A Master of the Craft art thou
When Virtue is but thought and planned:
But when it comes to Workmanship
Thou show'st thyself a Prentice-hand.

342
WE SERVE OURSELVES, NOT GOD
God is not served by Fast, Vigil or Litany;
Thou rather serv'st thyself, being purified thereby.

343
THOU MUST BECOME A CHILD
Unless thou dost become a Child
Thou canst not enter in the place
Where all God's children are—for thee
The doorway hath too small a space.

344
SIMPLICITY MUST BE INTELLIGENT
I honour that Simplicity
To which God joins intelligence,
But scarcely worth the name I count
Simplicity that lacketh sense.

345
ANGER
Anger is like the fire of Hell.
If it break out within thy breast,
It burneth up the little bed
Whereon the Holy Ghost doth rest.

346
SAFETY IN SECLUSION
If thou wouldst shun those strangers, Bride,
 Who seek to be thy paramours,
Then close the casement shutters fast
 And linger not at open doors.

347
HATE MAKETH ITSELF HATED
If Hate and envy rule thy heart
When thou for gifts dost supplicate,
The gift thy prayers achieve will be
Return of Envy and of Hate.

348
MAN FINDETH AS HE SEEKETH
As thou dost seek, so shalt thou find;
As thou dost knock and dost implore,
So shall the gift be unto thee,
And so the opening of the door.

349
GOD GIVETH THE GREAT IN THE SMALL
Take what God giveth thee. He giveth Great in Small,
Gold in base slag, where we surmise it least of all.

350
THE FINEST WISDOM
Climb not too high; frame no unneedful subtleties;
The finest Wisdom is to be not overwise.

351
GOD SEETH NOT ABOVE HIMSELF
God seeth not above Himself.
If thou dost seek to raise thy height
Above thy stature, have a care
Lest thou shouldst vanish from His sight.

352
UNITY
Ah, were men's voices like the wood-birds' melody—
Each happy note distinct, but all in harmony!

353
NOTHING HATH WORTH FOR THE SCORNER
The Nightingale mocks not the Cuckoo's note, 'tis true,
And yet you scorn my song if I sing not as you.

354
DIVINE SEEING
Who in his fellow-man sees God and Christ, none else,
He seeth with the light wherein the Godhead dwells.

355
CONCLUSION
Friend, it is now enough. Wouldst thou read more, go hence,
Become thyself the Writing and thyself the Sense.