Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | III. War | | The Battle-Song of Gustavus Adolphus | | Michael Altenburg (1584–1640) |
| | Anonymous translation from the German |
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FEAR not, O little flock! the foe | |
| Who madly seeks your overthrow, | |
| Dread not his rage and power; | |
| What though your courage sometimes faints? | |
| His seeming triumph o’er God’s saints | 5 |
| Lasts but a little hour. | |
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| Be of good cheer; your cause belongs | |
| To him who can avenge your wrongs, | |
| Leave it to him, our Lord. | |
| Though hidden now from all our eyes, | 10 |
| He sees the Gideon who shall rise | |
| To save us, and his word. | |
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| As true as God’s own word is true, | |
| Not earth or hell with all their crew | |
| Against us shall prevail. | 15 |
| A jest and by-word are they grown; | |
| God is with us, we are his own, | |
| Our victory cannot fail. | |
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| Amen, Lord Jesus; grant our prayer! | |
| Great Captain, now thine arm make bare; | 20 |
| Fight for us once again! | |
| So shall the saints and martyrs raise | |
| A mighty chorus to thy praise, | |
| World without end! Amen. | | | |
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