In 1717, Alexander Pope wrote a poem, "Eloisa to Abelard." In the poem, Eloisa mourns over her lost love Abelard, finally coming to the realization that the love of God is sweeter than the love of Abelard. Even still, she struggles to let go, and looks forward to heaven. It's an amazing poem, and I commend it to you. Here is the turning point of the poem, where Eloisa realizes that experiencing God's forgiveness and knowing the certainty of heaven is the highest of all joys.
Oh come! oh teach me nature to subdue,
Renounce my love, my life, myself-- and you.
Fill my fond heart with God alone, for He
Alone can rival, can succeed to thee.
How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned;
Labor and rest, that equal periods keep;
"Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;"
Desires composed, affections ever even
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heaven.
Grace shines around her with serenest beams,
And whispering angels prompt her golden dreams.
For her the unfading rose of Eden blooms,
And wings of seraphs shed divine perfumes,
For her the Spouse prepares the bridal ring,
For her white virgins hymeneals sing,
To sounds of heavenly harps she dies away
And melts in visions of eternal day.
What happiness and joy it is to know the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, a conscience cleansed by the blood of Jesus! For me the heavenly Bridegroom prepares the bridal ring, for me the unfading rose of Eden blooms, for me there is pardon and rest and accepted prayer.
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