| |
| WHO is he that sleeps in chains, | |
| Fears not penalties nor pains: | |
| Calmly sleeps, tho’ malice waits | |
| For him at his prison gates; | |
| Dreams not of impending sorrow, | 5 |
| Which may visit him to-morrow, | |
| But, like infant on the breast | |
| Of its mother, sinks to rest? | |
| He to whom his God hath giv’n | |
| Peace on earth, and hope in Heav’n! | 10 |
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| Who is he whom watch and ward, | |
| Lock and key and wakeful guard, | |
| Rome’s quaternions, rough and bold, | |
| Chains and prison, cannot hold? | |
| From whose hands the fetters fall, | 15 |
| To whom angel voices call, | |
| Who by angel light doth see, | |
| And by angel hand is free? | |
| He for whom, both night and day, | |
| The Redeemer’s Church doth pray! | 20 |
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| When our peace with God is made, | |
| None can vex or make afraid: | |
| Tho’ the wrath of man be strong, | |
| It can do the soul no wrong; | |
| Fear of evil tidings never | 25 |
| Can the trusting heart dissever | |
| From the rest, and the repose, | |
| The believing spirit knows: | |
| Cheering thoughts! which Christians may | |
| Deepen on St. Peter’s Day. | 30 |
| |
| And when prayer with one accord | |
| Rises earnest to the Lord; | |
| Tho’ the might of mortal power | |
| Darkling o’er the Church may lower; | |
| Tho’ the promise seem to fail, | 35 |
| And the gates of Hell prevail, | |
| God will never leave His own | |
| Unprotected or alone: | |
| Ere His Church shall want a friend, | |
| Angels will from Heaven descend. | 40 |
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