Say now, ye lovely social band,
Who walk the way to Canaan’s land;
Ye who have fled from Sodom’s plain,
Say, would you now return again?
Have you just ventured to the field,
Well armed with helmet, sword, and shield,
And shall the world with dread alarms,
Compel you now to ground your arms?
Behold! I see among the rest,
A host in richer garments dressed;
A host that near His presence stands,
And palms of vict’ry grace their hands.
Say, who are these I now behold,
With blood-washed robes and crowns of gold?
This glor’ous host is not unknown
To Him that sits upon the throne.
