What sweet of life endureth
Unmixed with bitter pain?
’Midst earthly change and chances
What glory doth remain?
All is a feeble shadow,
A dream that will not stay;
Death cometh in a moment,
And taketh all away.
O Christ, a light transcendent
Shines in Thy countenance,
And none can tell the sweetness,
The beauty of Thy glance.
In this may Thy poor servant
His joy eternal find;
Thou calledst him, O rest him,
Thou Lover of mankind!