Religion
Hymn V
From Poems (1773)
AWAKE, my soul! lift up thine eyes,
See where thy foes against thee rise,
In long array, a numerous host;
Awake, my soul, or thou art lost.
Here giant danger threat'ning stands
Mustering his pale terrific bands;
There pleasure's silken banners spread,
And willing souls are captive led.
See where rebellious passions rage,
And fierce desires and lust engage;
The meanest foe of all the train
Has thousands and ten thousands slain.
Thou tread'st upon enchanted ground,
Perils and snares beset thee round;
Beware of all, guard every part,
But most, the traitor in thy heart.
Come then, my soul, now learn to wield
The weight of thine immortal shield;
Put on the armour from above
Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.
The terror and the charm repel,
And powers of earth, and powers of hell;
The man of Calvary triumph'd here;
Why should his faithful followers fear?
Codex Note
A hymn that calls the soul to watch against its foes and to take courage from the triumph of the man of Calvary.
Cite this poem
MLA
Barbauld, Anna Laetitia. “Hymn V.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/barbauld/25/.
Chicago
Barbauld, Anna Laetitia. “Hymn V.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/barbauld/25/.
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