Hymn for St. Stephen's Day

Hymn for St. Stephen's Day

The Son of God is gone to war.
A kingly crown to gain.
His blood-red banner streams afar!
Who follows in his train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain?
Who boldest leaves his cross below?
He follows in his train.

The martyr first whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave;
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And call'd on him to save;
Like him, with pardon on his tongue
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong,
Who follows in his train?

A glorious band, the chosen few
On whom the spirit came,
Twelve valiant saints, the truth they knew,
And brav'd the cross and flame;
They met the tyrant's brandish'd steel,
The lion's gory mane,
They bow'd their necks the death to feel,
Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around their Saviour's throne rejoice,
In robes of light array'd,
They climb'd the dizzy steep of Heaven,
Thro' peril, toil, and pain -
Oh God! to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!

Bishop Heber

1:19, p. 76

1827.07.20