Henry Charles Beeching, ed. (1859–1919). Lyra Sacra: A Book of Religious Verse. 1903.
By John Keble (17921866)The Watch by Night
THE ARK OF GOD is in the field, | |
Like clouds around the alien armies sweep; | |
Each by his spear, beneath his shield, | |
In cold and dew the anointed warriors sleep. | |
And can it be thou liest awake, | 5 |
Sworn watchman, tossing on thy couch of down? | |
And doth thy recreant heart not ache | |
To hear the sentries round the leaguered town? | |
Oh dream no more of quiet life; | |
Care finds the careless out; more wise to vow | 10 |
Thine heart entire to Faith’s pure strife; | |
So peace will come thou know’st not when or how. | |