Faith, Hope, and Charity

The Christian virtues, one, two, three.
Faith and Hope and Charity,
May all find exercise in thee.

In Faith, sweet infant that thou art,
Of God's sublime decrees a part,
Thy mother holds thee to her heart.
Hope is the joy of Faith. It were
Sad to behold a babe so fair
Without the hope that makes a joy of care.
Well 'twill be if we can learn.
If loving thee, babe, we discern
The love of God, and let it clearly burn.
The love which sanctifies desire
Is, like the bush, unhurt by fire, —
For which God grants what longing souls desire.