William Cowper (1731–1800)

To those who know the Lord I speak,

        Is my beloved near?

The bridegroom of my soul I seek,

        Oh! when will he appear!

Tho’ once a man of grief and shame,

        Yet now he fills a throne;

And bears the greatest, sweetest name,

        That earth or heav’n have known.

Grace flies before, and love attends

        His steps where’er he goes;

Tho’ none can see him but his friends,

        And they were once his foes.

He speaks — obedient to his call

        Our warm affections move;

Did he but shine alike on all,

        Then all alike would love.

Then love in ev’ry heart would reign,

        And war would cease to roar;

And cruel, and blood-thirsty men,

        Would thirst for blood no more.

Such Jesus is, and such his grace,

        Oh may he shine on you!

And tell him, when you see his face,

        I long to see him too.