Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.
By Hymns. I. “The Son of God goes forth to war”Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
T
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood-red banner streams afar!
Who follows in His train?
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below,
He follows in His train!
Could pierce beyond the grave;
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called on Him to save:
In midst of mortal pain,
He pray’d for them that did the wrong!
Who follows in His train?
On whom the Spirit came;
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mock’d the cross and flame.
The lion’s gory mane:
They bow’d their necks, the death to feel!
Who follows in their train?
The matron and the maid,
Around the Saviour’s throne rejoice,
In robes of light array’d.
Through peril, toil, and pain!
O God! to us may grace be given
To follow in their train!