The Return Home

Safe home, safe home in port!
--Rent cordage, shattered deck,
Torn sails, provisions short,
And only not a wreck:
But oh! the joy upon the shore
To tell our voyage-perils o'er!

The prize, the prize secure!
The athlete nearly fell;
Bare all he could endure,
And bare not always well:
But he may smile at troubles gone
Who sets the victor-garland on!

No more the foe can harm:
No more of leaguer'd camp,
And cry of night-alarm,
And need of ready lamp:
And yet how nearly he had failed,--
How nearly had that foe prevailed!

The lamb is in the fold
In perfect safety penn'd:
The lion once had hold,
And thought to make an end:
But One came by with Wounded Side,
And for the sheep the Shepherd died.

The exile is at Home!
--O nights and days of tears,
O longings not to roam,
O sins, and doubts, and fears,--
What matter now (when so men say)
The King has wip'd those tears away?

O happy, happy Bride!
Thy widow'd hours are past,
The Bridegroom at thy side,
Thou all His own at last!
The sorrows of thy former cup
In full fruition swallow'd up!