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(Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity)
THE SOUND of war! In earth and air | |
| The volleying thunders roll: | |
| Their fiery darts the Fiends prepare, | |
| And dig the pit, and spread the snare, | |
| Against the Christian’s soul. | 5 |
| The Tyrant’s sword, the rack, the flame, | |
| The scorner’s serpent tone, | |
| Of bitter doubt the barbèd aim, | |
| All, all conspire his heart to tame: | |
| Force, fraud, and hellish fires assail | 10 |
| The rivets of his heavenly mail, | |
| Amidst his foes alone. | |
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| Gods of the world! ye warrior host | |
| Of darkness and of air, | |
| In vain is all your impious boast, | 15 |
| In vain each missile lightning tost | |
| In vain the Tempter’s snare! | |
| Though fast and far your arrows fly | |
| Though mortal nerve and bone | |
| Shrink in convulsive agony, | 20 |
| The Christian can your rage defy: | |
| Towers o’er his head Salvation’s crest, | |
| Faith like a buckler guards his breast, | |
| Undaunted, though alone. | |
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| ’Tis past! ’tis o’er! in foul defeat | 25 |
| The Demon host are fled! | |
| Before the Saviour’s mercy-seat, | |
| (His live-long work of faith complete), | |
| Their conqueror bends his head. | |
| “The spoils Thyself hast gainèd, Lord! | 30 |
| I lay before Thy throne: | |
| Thou wert my rock, my shield, my sword; | |
| My trust was in Thy name and word: | |
| ’Twas in Thy strength my heart was strong; | |
| Thy spirit went with mine along; | 35 |
| How was I then alone?” | |
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