Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Hymns of the Eastern Church (1862). III. Christian! dost thou see them?John Mason Neale (18181866)
C
On the holy ground,
How the troops of Midian
Prowl and prowl around?
Christian! up and smite them,
Counting gain but loss:
Smite them by the merit
Of the Holy Cross!
How they work within,
Striving, tempting, luring,
Goading into sin?
Christian! never tremble!
Never be down-cast!
Smite them by the virtue
Of the Lenten Fast!
How they speak thee fair?
“Always fast and vigil?
Always watch and prayer?
Christian! say but boldly:
“While I breathe I pray:”
Peace shall follow battle,
Night shall end in day.
O My servant true;
Thou art very weary,—
I was weary too:
But that toil shall make thee,
Some day, all Mine own:
But the end of sorrow
Shall be near My Throne.”