O ESCA VIATORUM

Author unknown. Belonging, according to Mone, to the thirteenth or fifteenth century.

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See, sweet soul, my sister dear,
Now the bridegroom neareth;
Haste, prepare a place for Him
Who in love appeareth.
Soon He comes, a gentle guest,
Comes with heart o'erflowing;
All the best that heaven affords
In His love bestowing.
Where His gracious presence is
There is joy unending;
Blessing with His friendship comes,
Every bliss transcending.
Yea, He comes to rest awhile,
Thee with love entwining;
At thy board He'll take His place,
By thy side reclining.
Up, my soul, to meet thy Spouse;
Hark! His footfall sounding;
In thy bosom He will dwell
With His love abounding.
Hold Him fast in fond embrace;
Say thou'lt leave Him never,
Till the blessing of His love
Rest on thee for ever.

Ascribed by some to Thomas Aquinas, but believed by latest and best authorities to have been composed by some unknown German Jesuit of the seventeenth century. It has not been traced further back than the Mainz Gesang-Buch of 1661, where it is styled "Hymn on the true Bread of Heaven."

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O Food for pilgrims pining!
O Bread for angels shining!
O Manna fresh from heaven!
In bountiful completeness,
O may Thy heavenly sweetness
To hungering hearts be given.
O Font of love surprising,
From Jesu's heart uprising!
A pure refreshing flow;
Nought else our thirst allayeth--
For this the pilgrim prayeth--
This draught of love bestow.
Thy face we come revering,
O Jesus, now appearing
In sacramental rite.
O when in heaven, before it
Unveiled, may we adore it,
Our faith absorbed in sight.