'Blessed is he whom the Lord, when He Cometh, shall find watching,' 

Thou for whom we look, now aid me 

Still to watch, and trim my light ! 
Thou in white robes hast arrayed me, 

I must watch to keep them white ; 
Cold without, rough winds are blowing, 

And within the air falls damp ; 
Still amid the darkness glowing. 

Bright must shine my bridal lamp. 

Thy free grace. Thy love unbounded. 

Chose, and bade me waiting stand. 
Till the glad call should be sounded, 

" Lo ! the Bridegroom is at hand ! " 
Though the time seems long and dreary, 

And the watch is hard to keep. 
Still, though faint and weak and weary, 

Lord ! permit me not to sleep.
Let me, watch for Thine appearing, 

Till the bridal pomp I hail ; 
Till, night's mists and shadows clearing. 

Streaming o'er the illumined vale 
I discern the rising splendour, 

Catch from far their sweet acclaim, 
Whose unnumbered voices render 

Praise and glory to Thy name ! 

Then, to swell the grand procession, 
May we haste without a fear ! 

While, enriched by our accession, 
Sweeter anthems greet Thine ear. 

Then may my white robe be stainless- 
May my lamp shed light around ! 

E'en without a spot and blameless, 
May I at that hour be found ! 

Then the bride, indeed " made ready,'' 

Shall be brought with joy untold ; 
Now no more defiled or needy. 

But in raiment of wrought gold. 
For this hour the whole creation 

Groaned and travailed, as in birth — 
Now the glorious consummation 

Fills with joy new heavens and earth.