Religion
Christian soldiers in the conflict!
Translated by John Brownlie (1896) · From Hymns of the Early Church (1896)
Christian soldiers in the conflict!
Bear the banner of the cross;
Rich reward shall crown the victor,
More than recompense for loss.
Not with paltry palms that wither
Shall the brow be gaily crowned,
But with light that shines eternal,
And with heavenly joy renowned.
Yours are mansions fair and comely—
There your souls in bliss shall rest;
Stars shall sparkle in their radiance,
On the pathway of the blest.
Earthly joys are faint and fleeting,
Earthly favours quickly fade;
Heavenwards lift your eyes, expecting
There your true reward is laid.
God be praised who crowns the victor,
Christ be praised who saves from sin;
Equal praise to God the Spirit,
By whose aid we fight and win.
Codex Note
Latin: Pugnate, Christe milites. Brownlie: given in editions of the Paris Breviary after 1736; author not traced.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Christian soldiers in the conflict!” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/34/.
Chicago
Anonymous Latin Hymns. “Christian soldiers in the conflict!” Translated by John Brownlie. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-latin-hymns/34/.
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