Impiety I scorned—denounced—despised;
No warrior his holy weapon draws
With zeal more fervent than I exercised
When faithlessness in others I chastised;
My spirit kindled at the martyr’s tale,
There were my dreams of glory realized;
Oh! where their faith prevailed would mine prevail,
Could soul so ardent in the fiery trial fail?
I felt not then that in life’s loneliest way
A glorious warfare may the Christian wage;