¶ Verse 1
Behold the Bridegroom cometh in
The middle of the night,
And blest is he whose loins are girt,
Whose lamp is burning bright;
But woe to that dull servant, whom
The Master shall surprise
With lamp untrimmed, unburning and
With slumber in his eyes.
¶ Verse 2
Do thou, my soul, beware, beware,
Lest thou in sleep sink down,
Lest thou be given o'er to death,
And lose the golden crown;
But see that thou be sober, with
A watchful eye, and thus
Cry--'Holy, holy, holy God,
Have mercy upon us.'
¶ Verse 3
That day, the day of fear, shall come;
My soul, slack not thy toil,
But light thy lamp, and feed it well,
And make it bright with oil;
Who knowest not how soon may sound
The cry at eventide,
'Behold the Bridegroom comes! Arise!
Go forth to meet the bride.'
¶ Verse 4
Beware, my soul; beware, beware,
Lest thou in slumber lie,
And like, the five, remain without,
And knock, and vainly cry;
But watch, and bear thy lamp undimmed,
And Christ shall gird thee on
His own bright wedding robe of light--
The glory of the Son.
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