Two lovers in an inner room withdrawn,
and speaking much of love, as one to one;
and yet their speech so ardent in its truth,
not sound but rather silence seems to reign.
These silent lovers are the soul and God;
their silence, prayer, which brought them, joins them, here;
they talk of all that lovers ever speak,
and plight their troth as lovers ever swear:
'Yet nought I have to give you, but myself;
and that I give, and beg of you to take;
and nought I ask of you, but that yourself
you give to me in truth for my soul's sake...'
No lovers' pledge more common, nor more true;
no love more constant; nor more holy vow.
Michael Shepherd
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-s-pledge-from-mechthild-of-magdeburg/
