 | Sacra Poesis |  |
14
EXCELLENCY OF CHRIST.
What is strength?—in might of limb
The tawny lion stalks the plain;
Who can stop or conquer him?—
Yet he turns to dust again.
The tawny lion stalks the plain;
Who can stop or conquer him?—
Yet he turns to dust again.
What is glory?—are ye glorious,
Kings, that rend the bleeding world?
Soon shall ye, though all-victorious,
To the narrow grave be hurl'd.
Kings, that rend the bleeding world?
Soon shall ye, though all-victorious,
To the narrow grave be hurl'd.
What is beauty?—doth it glow
In the fairest mortal form?
Where's the bud of promise now?—
Blighted by the canker-worm!
In the fairest mortal form?
Where's the bud of promise now?—
Blighted by the canker-worm!
What is love?—O look around;
Who the pow'r of love has prov'd?
Where, where is it to be found?
Has man ever truly lov'd?
Who the pow'r of love has prov'd?
Where, where is it to be found?
Has man ever truly lov'd?
15
Love is not what Time can quell,
Or base Ingratitude can sever;
On earth the pure love cannot dwell,
Which, spurn'd and hated, shines for ever!
Or base Ingratitude can sever;
On earth the pure love cannot dwell,
Which, spurn'd and hated, shines for ever!
Nay, but there is One above,
One, in whom alone we see
Forgotten, unrequited love,
Free—to every creature free!
One, in whom alone we see
Forgotten, unrequited love,
Free—to every creature free!
The forest falls beneath his breath,
The tempest rages at his nod;
He hath triumph'd over Death!
Who is strong?—the Mighty God.
The tempest rages at his nod;
He hath triumph'd over Death!
Who is strong?—the Mighty God.
Creation sprang from nothingness
By the power of his word,
And Heaven expanded measureless!
Who is glorious—who?—the Lord.
By the power of his word,
And Heaven expanded measureless!
Who is glorious—who?—the Lord.
Who has painted every flower,
Who has moulded beauty's face?
The God of glory and of power,
Lord of life, and love, and grace
Who has moulded beauty's face?
The God of glory and of power,
Lord of life, and love, and grace
16
Rejoice, O universe, rejoice!
Ye worlds, his endless praises sing!
Leap, each heart, and sound, each voice,
With “praises, praises to our King!”
Ye worlds, his endless praises sing!
Leap, each heart, and sound, each voice,
With “praises, praises to our King!”
| Sacra Poesis | |