Paraphrase on Thomas à Kempis

Speak, gracious Lord, oh speak; Thy servant hears:
For I'm Thy servant, and I'll still be so:
Speak words of comfort in my willing ears;
And since my tongue is in Thy praises slow,
And since that Thine all rhetoric exceeds,
Speak Thou in words, but let me speak in deeds!

Nor speak alone, but give me grace to hear
What Thy celestial sweetness does impart;
Let it not stop when entered at the ear,
But sink, and take deep rooting in my heart.
As the parched earth drinks rain (but grace afford)
With such a gust will I receive Thy word.

Nor with the Israelites shall I desire
Thy heavenly word by Moses to receive,
Lest I should die; but Thou who didst inspire
Moses himself, speak Thou, that I may live.
Rather with Samuel I beseech with tears,
Speak, gracious Lord, oh speak, Thy servant hears.

Moses, indeed, may say the words, but Thou
Must give the spirit and the life inspire;
Our love to Thee his fervent breath may blow,
But 'tis Thyself alone can give the fire;
Thou without them mayst speak and profit too;
But without Thee what could the prophets do?

They preach the doctrine, but Thou mak'st us do't;
They teach the mysteries Thou dost open lay;
The trees they water, but Thou giv'st the fruit;
They to salvation show the arduous way;
But none but You can give us strength to walk,
You give the practice, they but give the talk.

Let them be silent then, and Thou alone,
My God! speak comfort to my ravished ears;
Light of my eyes, my consolation,
Speak when Thou wilt, for still Thy servant hears.
Whate'er Thou speak'st, let this be understood:
Thy greater glory, and my greater good!