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Sunday 13 November 2016

Art Thou Weary? - St. Stephen the Sabaite

Art thou weary, art thou languid,
  Art thou sore distrest?
“Come to Me,” saith One, “and coming
        Be at rest!”

Hath He marks to lead me to Him,
  If He be my Guide?
“In His Feet and Hands are wound-prints,
        And His side.”

Hath He diadem as Monarch
  That His Brow adorns?
“Yea a Crown, in very surety,
        But of thorns.”

If I find Him, if I follow,
  What His guerdon here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labour,
        Many a tear.”

If I still hold closely to Him,
  What hath He at last?
“Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,
        Jordan past.”

If I ask Him to receive me,
  Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth, and not till Heav’n
        Pass away.”

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,
  Is He sure to bless?
“Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,
        Answer, Yes!”

St. Stephen the Sabaite (725–796) Palestine
Translated by J. M. Neale
guerdon - a reward or recompense
Source: Hymns of the Christian Church. Vol. XLV, Part 2. The Harvard Classics. P.F. Collier & Son, 1909–14; available from Bartleby.com

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