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10. And now, O Lord, these things are passed away, and time
hath healed my wound. May I learn from Thee, who art Truth, and
apply the ear of my heart unto Thy mouth, that Thou mayest tell me
why weeping should be so sweet to the unhappy. Hast Thou
although present everywhere cast away far from Thee our misery?
And Thou abidest in Thyself, but we are disquieted with divers
trials; and yet, unless we wept in Thine ears, there would be no
hope for us remaining. Whence,. then, is it that such sweet fruit
is plucked from the bitterness of life, from groans, tears, sighs,
and lamentations? Is it the hope that Thou hearest us that sweetens
it? This is true of prayer, for therein is a desire to approach unto
Thee. But is it also in grief for a thing lost, and the sorrow with
which I was then overwhelmed? For I had neither hope of his coming
to life again, nor did I seek this with my tears; but I grieved and
wept only, for I was miserable, and had lost my joy. Or is weeping
a bitter thing, and for distaste of the things which aforetime we
enjoyed before, and even then, when we are loathing them, does it
cause us pleasure?
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