O Cross, we hail thy bitter reign, O come, thou well-beloved guest! Whose sorest sufferings work not pain, Whose heaviest burden is but rest. | For is not our Redeemer bound In closest ties of love to those Who faithful to the cross are found, Through ceaseless tears, through saddest woes? | Hark, the confessors of the faith Yet of their cross and fetters boast; All saints have borne it to the death, With all the martyrs' radiant host. | Pledge of our glorious home afar! Thee, Holy Sign, with joy we take, Sign of a peace life could not mar, Of just content death could not shake: | 163 The Sign how Truth, once crucified, Now throned in majesty doth reign, How Love is bless'd and glorified, That here on earth was mocked and slain. | Their names are writ in words of light Who here on earth their Lord confest; They hear the bridegroom's cry at night, Come to my marriage feast, ye blest! | Who then would faint, nor join to share In Christ's reproach, in want or pain? The bitterest death who would not dare? Who fears a martyr's crown to gain? | Up, Brethren of the Cross! and haste Where Christ our Head hath gone before! We hymn His praise the while we taste The shame and death He sometime bore. | In bonds and stripes, in falsest blame, Our crown, our dearest wealth we see, A dungeon were a throne, and shame Our chiefest glory, borne for Thee. | What though the world on us may fling Its scorn, and oft we strive with death, The holy angels speed to bring Our help and strength, our victor's wreath. | Up, quit the gates where sin abides, From earth's doomed cities quickly come, Yon eastern Star full surely guides All pilgrims to their Father's home. | |