Advent 63. Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding

[231]Merton:

William Henry Monk, 1850

Latin, 5th cent.;

Tr. Edward Caswall, 1849;

Alt.

Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding;

"Christ is nigh," it seems to say;

"Cast away the works of darkness,

O ye children of the day."

Wakened by the solemn warning,

Let the earth-bound soul arise;

Christ, her Sun, all sloth dispelling,

Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,

Comes with pardon down from heaven;

Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,

One and all to be forgiven;

So when next he comes with glory,

Wrapping all the world in fear,

May he with his mercy shield us,

And with words of love draw near.