 | Hymns and verses by Samuel Longfellow |  |
134
WITH AN EASTER CARD, BEARING A SHIELD OF FAITH.
Hear what ancient Scripture saith,
“Take to thee the shield of Faith.”
“Take to thee the shield of Faith.”
Oft hath it thy covert been,
Thy defense and sheltering screen.
Thy defense and sheltering screen.
When the darts of grief and pain
Have assailed thy soul in vain,
Have assailed thy soul in vain,
“More than conqueror” thou hast been
In the might of “things unseen.”
In the might of “things unseen.”
Thine the faith that looked above,
Saw through clouds the Eternal Love.
Saw through clouds the Eternal Love.
Thine the faith that looks beyond,
Saw that Life escapes Death's bond.
Saw that Life escapes Death's bond.
Saw to those who shall endure
Victory at last made sure;
Victory at last made sure;
135
Saw, whoever may deride,
Angel legions on Truth's side;
Angel legions on Truth's side;
Saw the Everlasting Might
Pledged to justify the Right.
Pledged to justify the Right.
Now, at this fair Easter-tide
Faith again is justified,
Faith again is justified,
Lo! the earth that lay so dead
Lifts again its beauteous head,
Lifts again its beauteous head,
Lo! the buried seed and root
Spring toward leaf and flower and fruit.
Spring toward leaf and flower and fruit.
Vain the winter's guard and seal
Life supreme save to reveal.
Life supreme save to reveal.
May the stone be rolled away
From all buried hearts to-day!
From all buried hearts to-day!
1889.
| Hymns and verses by Samuel Longfellow | |