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95
For Peace and Deliverance.
“All the world may know that Thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer.”
—Prayer Book.
But late, was heard the battle-roar
In boding echoes round the shore,
Peal after peal in hollow thunder telling
Tales of dread conflict, blood and death,
Which paled the cheek, and check'd the breath,
In many a widow'd Heart, and wasted dwelling!
In boding echoes round the shore,
Peal after peal in hollow thunder telling
Tales of dread conflict, blood and death,
Which paled the cheek, and check'd the breath,
In many a widow'd Heart, and wasted dwelling!
Now, Heaven has sent benign release;
And in the balm of blessed peace
A christian Empire is profoundly learning,
That God the only Giver is
Of public, as of private, bliss,—
Though seldom thank'd by spirits undiscerning!
And in the balm of blessed peace
A christian Empire is profoundly learning,
That God the only Giver is
Of public, as of private, bliss,—
Though seldom thank'd by spirits undiscerning!
Oh! taught by Grace, and truly-wise,
Their spirit which in all descries
The hand of Goodness, and the heart of God:—
Such, everywhere His guidance feel,
Who fans within their fainting zeal
And bears them onward o'er Life's bleakest road.
Their spirit which in all descries
The hand of Goodness, and the heart of God:—
Such, everywhere His guidance feel,
Who fans within their fainting zeal
And bears them onward o'er Life's bleakest road.
O Thou! Who wert a Rock and Tower,
A Fortress in some fearful hour
When cannon-thunders round the ranks were rolling,—
Now, while amid the sad repose
Which many a tomb-shade o'er us throws,
Knells for the dead from solemn fanes are tolling,
A Fortress in some fearful hour
When cannon-thunders round the ranks were rolling,—
Now, while amid the sad repose
Which many a tomb-shade o'er us throws,
Knells for the dead from solemn fanes are tolling,
Salvation's “Captain!” on Thy battle-Throne
We laud Thee,—as that Power alone
High o'er the clouds of savage war presiding:
Helmet and hawberk, sword and shield
No shelter from the havoc yield,
Except Thy Hand heroic souls be guiding.
We laud Thee,—as that Power alone
High o'er the clouds of savage war presiding:
Helmet and hawberk, sword and shield
No shelter from the havoc yield,
Except Thy Hand heroic souls be guiding.
96
When, buried in the Red Sea-wave,
The Host of Egypt found a grave,
While marching Israel saw a billow-wall
On either side each warrior stand,
As on they move o'er waveless land,
Guided by miracle which guarded all,—
The Host of Egypt found a grave,
While marching Israel saw a billow-wall
On either side each warrior stand,
As on they move o'er waveless land,
Guided by miracle which guarded all,—
Moses and Miriam sang that Song
Repeating time and truth prolong,
Where grace and gratitude together meet;
While Deborah's fierce anthem fires
The soul with more than Earth inspires,
As God in battle her brave numbers greet!
Repeating time and truth prolong,
Where grace and gratitude together meet;
While Deborah's fierce anthem fires
The soul with more than Earth inspires,
As God in battle her brave numbers greet!
But, were we dumb, each Pagan shrine
Would thrill us into shame divine,
For, in their blindness, conqu'ring Heathens praised
Some god, by whose celestial arm
Their hearth and home were kept from harm,
And wreath'd due Altars, for their glory raised.
Would thrill us into shame divine,
For, in their blindness, conqu'ring Heathens praised
Some god, by whose celestial arm
Their hearth and home were kept from harm,
And wreath'd due Altars, for their glory raised.
E'en thus, when Church and State were one,
Religion graced whate'er was done
Of great and glorious by an Empire's heart:
Monarchs uncrown'd, to worship went,
And praised the Lord Omnipotent
While chanting myriads took the choral part.
Religion graced whate'er was done
Of great and glorious by an Empire's heart:
Monarchs uncrown'd, to worship went,
And praised the Lord Omnipotent
While chanting myriads took the choral part.
At Agincourt, when Vict'ry waved
Old England's banner, when she braved
The Gallic Charles with all his glitt'ring host,—
See royal Henry gaze on high,
With plumèd warriors, kneeling by,
And hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Old England's banner, when she braved
The Gallic Charles with all his glitt'ring host,—
See royal Henry gaze on high,
With plumèd warriors, kneeling by,
And hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
But creedless men of colder days
Shrink from the angel-work of praise,
Nor the dread Giver in His gifts adore;—
Self, sin, and sense, combine to be
Their own consummate trinity,
Who dream it madness to aspire for more!
Shrink from the angel-work of praise,
97
Self, sin, and sense, combine to be
Their own consummate trinity,
Who dream it madness to aspire for more!
But Thou, Incarnate Source of truth,
Guardian of age, and Guide of youth,
Let pure disciples from Thy doctrine learn,
Both war and peace, and all they are
To consecrate by offered prayer,
And with bright fervors of devotion burn.
Guardian of age, and Guide of youth,
Let pure disciples from Thy doctrine learn,
Both war and peace, and all they are
To consecrate by offered prayer,
And with bright fervors of devotion burn.
Hence, in lauding choirs of love,
Lift we our chants to Christ above,
From Whom descendeth earth's release,
Preached in that Church, by whose true heart
Infant of grace! thou wert, and art
Baptised for battle, and prepared for peace.
Lift we our chants to Christ above,
From Whom descendeth earth's release,
Preached in that Church, by whose true heart
Infant of grace! thou wert, and art
Baptised for battle, and prepared for peace.
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