If you could linger thoughtfully, slowly

If you could linger thoughtfully, slowly
on just a drop of this hallowed water
from that fountain of paradise, your thirst
for the things of this world would cease--your soul

would wake to an eternal realm, leave off
your works, human concerns, your control of
others; freely, quietly you'd turn to
God, withdraw and cease to seek this or that

water's edge on earth, your shelter summer,
winter paradise. This water rejoices
the heart until your eyes rain tears, which course

down, bathe the body. This exaltation
does not weary, it refreshes, strengthens
the spirit-it's our rope to reach God's port.

An image of the Italian text from Visconti's 1840 edition
Notes:
From V CCI:361. See also B E12:209; no MSa; 1548 Valgrisi; 1760 Rota. Key

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