HYMN XXI. GENEROSITY.
I
That vast communicative mind,
That form'd the world and human kind,
And saw that all was right;
Or was thyself, or came from Thee,
Stupendous generosity,
Above all lustre bright.
II
“Not
for themselves the bees prepare
“Their honey, and the fleecy care
“Not for themselves are shorn:
“Not for themselves the warblers build,
“Not for themselves the lands are till'd,
“By them that tread the corn.”
III
The Lord shed on the Holy Rood,
His infinitely gen'rous blood,
Not for himself, but all;
Yea e'en for them that pierc'd his side,
In patient agony he dy'd,
To remedy the fall.
IV
O highly rais'd above the ranks
Of Angels—he cou'd e'en give thanks
Self-rais'd, and self-renew'd—
Then who can praise, and love, and fear
Enough?—since he himself, 'tis clear,
Is also gratitude.
