"As Weary Pilgrim"
As
weary pilgrim, now at rest,
Hugs
with delight his silent nest,
His
wasted limbs now lie full soft
That
mirey steps have trodden oft,
Blesses
himself to think upon
His
dangers past, and travails done.
The
burnIng sun no more shall heat,
Nor
stormy rains on him shall beat.
The
briars and thorns no more shall scratch,
Nor
hungry wolves at him shall catch.
He
erring paths no more shall tread,
Nor
wild fruits eat instead of bread.
For
waters cold he doth not long
For
thirst no more shall parch his tongue.
No
rugged stones his feet shall gall,
Nor
stumps nor rocks cause him to fall.
All
cares and fears he bids farewell
And
means in safety now to dwell.
A
pilgrim I, on earth perplexed
With
Sins, with cares and sorrows vext,
By
age and pains brought to decay,
And
my clay house mold'ring away.
Oh,
how I long to be at rest
And
soar on high among the blest.
This
body shall in silence sleep,
Mine
eyes no more shall ever weep,
No
fainting fits shall me assail,
Nor
grinding pains my body frail,
With
cares and fears ne'er cumb'red be
Nor
losses know, nor sorrows see.
What
though my flesh shall there consume,
It
is the bed Christ did perfume,
And
when a few years shall be gone,
This
mortal shall be clothed upon.
A
corrupt carcass down it lies,
A
glorious body it shall rise.
In
weakness and dishonour sown,
In
power 'tis raised by Christ alone.
Then
soul and body shall unite
And
of their Maker have the sight.
Such
lasting joys shall there behold
As
ear ne'er heard nor tongue e'er told.
Lord
make me ready for that day,
Then
come, dear Bridegroom, come away.