1 The wondering world inquires to know,<\/p>\n
Why I should love my Jesus so;\u2028\u201c<\/p>\n
What are His charms,\u201d say they, \u201cabove,<\/p>\n
The objects of a mortal love?\u201d<\/p>\n
Yes, my Beloved to my sight,<\/p>\n
Shows a sweet mixture, red and white:<\/p>\n
All human beauties, all divine,<\/p>\n
In my Beloved meet and shine.<\/p>\n
2 White is His soul, from blemish free;<\/p>\n
Red with the blood He shed for me;<\/p>\n
The fairest of ten thousand fairs;<\/p>\n
A sun amongst ten thousand stars.<\/p>\n
His head the finest gold excels;<\/p>\n
There wisdom in perfection dwells;<\/p>\n
And glory, like a crown, adorns,<\/p>\n
Those temples once beset with thorns.<\/p>\n
3 Compassions in His heart are found,<\/p>\n
Hard by the signals of His wound;<\/p>\n
His sacred side no more shall bear,<\/p>\n
The cruel scourge, the piercing spear.<\/p>\n
His hands are fairer to behold,<\/p>\n
Than diamonds, set in rings of gold;<\/p>\n
Those heavenly hands that on the tree,<\/p>\n
Were nailed, and torn, and bled for me.<\/p>\n
4 Though once He bowed His feeble knees,<\/p>\n
Loaded with sins and agonies,<\/p>\n
Now on the throne of His command,<\/p>\n
His legs like marble pillars stand.<\/p>\n
His eyes are majesty and love,<\/p>\n
The eagle tempered with the dove;<\/p>\n
No more shall trickling sorrows roll,<\/p>\n
Thru those dear windows of His soul.<\/p>\n
5 His mouth, that poured out long complaints,<\/p>\n
Now smiles, and cheers His fainting saints;<\/p>\n
His countenance more graceful is,<\/p>\n
Than Lebanon, with all its trees.<\/p>\n
All over glorious is my Lord;<\/p>\n
Must be beloved, and yet adored;<\/p>\n
His worth if all the nations knew,<\/p>\n
Sure the whole world would love Him too!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n