439.
Beatitude. 8.
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
1
Mourning for our fallen nature,
Hear the great Redeemer bless
Those who injuries meekly suffer
For the cause of righteousness!
If reviled, and though in fetters,
May we ever God confess!
2
Lo! the demon, Persecution!
Lights his torch, and rears his stake,
Dragging, from his quiet dwelling,
One, his cruel rage to slake!
Pitiless, his prey consuming!
For the Best of Being's sake!
3
See! the father, on his offspring,
Fixing steadfastly his eyes!
See! the children, wild and weeping!
See! the wife, in frantic guise!
Heaven imploring! unavailing!
See! the flames, at length, arise!
4
Whence these horrors? Does a murderer
Heaven's avenging hand confess?
He is but a patient sufferer
For the cause of righteousness!
And, expiring, like his Saviour,
His inhuman foes can bless!
5
What can shame and anguish stifle,
But the martyr's feeling true?
What repress the force of Nature?
What the dread of death subdue?
But the vision, beatific!
Heaven unfolding to his view!
6
Look beyond the hour of torture!
See, his crown, the martyr wear!
Envy not the proud oppressor!
Though he now may laugh at fear,
Darkness gathers! brief the triumph!
His reward is drawing near!
