April 13

Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile. — Mark 6:31

If there were dreams to sell,
Merry and sad to tell,
And the crier rang the bell,
What would you buy?

A cottage lone and still
With bowers nigh,
Shadowy, my woes to still,
Until I die.
Such pearl from Life’s fresh crown
Fain would I shake me down,
Were dreams to have at will
This would best heal my ill,
This would I buy.
— Thomas Lovell Beddoes.

I pray you, bear me hence From forth the noise and rumor of the field Where I may think the remnant of my thoughts In peace, and part this body and my soul With contemplation and devout desires.
— William Shakespeare.

Prayer

Lord God, help me to bear in mind that to step aside and safeguard the mind in contemplation is a safe guard to the soul. Amen.