O lover sweet,

so sweet the embrace:

Help us to keep

our virginity!

In dust we were begotten—

alas!—

in Adam’s guilt.

So rough it is now to refuse

whatever tastes of that one fruit.

Set us aright, O Savior Christ!

We burn in our desire to follow you.

How hard it is for us, the wretched,

to imitate your innocence,

the spotless King of angels.

Yet we have put our trust in you,

for you desire to seek again a gem in putrefaction.

Now unto you we cry, our bridegroom and our consolation,

who has redeemed us on the Cross.

For in your blood we are betrothed to you—

your blood our wedding gift;

for mortal husbands we refuse, choosing you instead,

the Son of God.

O beauteous form, O fragrance sweeter than

the most desired of delights:

our sighs of longing ever seek for you

within this lonely wilderness of tears.

When shall we look on you

and with you ever stay?

We live within the world,

and you within our minds,

and we embrace you in our hearts

as if you’re present even now.

The mighty lion, you have burst the heavens,

descending tp the Virgin’s palace-womb,

destroying death

and building life within a golden city.

Grant us her company

to dwell with you, O bridegroom sweet,

who saved us from the devil’s jaws

who dragged our primal parents into death.