How can I love Thee as I ought?
And, how revere this wondrous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
Had I but Mary's sinless heart
To love Thee with, my dearest King!
O with what bursts of fervent praise
Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing!
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
O see! within a creature's hand
The vast Creator deigns to be,
Reposing infant-like, as though
On Joseph's arm, or Mary's knee.
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
Thy Body, Soul, and Godhead, all!
O mystery of love divine!
I cannot compass all I have,
For all Thou hast and art are mine!
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
Sound, sound His praises higher still,
And come, ye angels, to our aid,
'Tis God! 'Tis God! the very God
Whose power both man and angels made!
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
Ring joyously, ye solemn bells!
And wave, O wave, ye censers bright!
'Tis Jesus cometh, Mary's Son
And God of God, and Light of Light!
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
O earth! grow flowers beneath his feet,
And thou, O sun, shine bright this day!
He comes! He comes! O Heaven on earth!
Our Jesus comes upon His way!
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
He comes! He comes! The Lord of Hosts,
Borne on His throne triumphantly!
We see Thee, and we know Thee, Lord;
And yearn to shed our Blood for Thee.
Sweet Sacrament! we Thee adore!
O, make us love Thee more and more!
Our hearts leap up; our trembling song
Grows fainter still; we can no more;
Silence! and let us weep - and die
Of very love, while we adore.
Great Sacrament of love divine!
All, all we have or are be Thine!
Frederick William Faber