William Cowper (1731–1800)

The Saviour! what a noble flame

        Was kindled in his breast,

When hasting to Jerusalem

        He march’d before the rest!

Good-will to men, and zeal for God,

        His ev’ry thought engross;

He longs to be baptiz’d with blood,

        He pants to reach the cross.

With all his suff’rings full in view,

        And woes, to us unknown,

Forth to the task his spirit flew,

        ’Twas love that urg’d him on.

Lord, we return thee what we can!

        Our hearts shall sound abroad,

Salvation, to the dying Man,

        And to the rising God!

And while thy bleeding glories here

        Engage our wond’ring eyes;

We learn our lighter cross to bear,

        And hasten to the skies.