XX.
It is then he will lead us to doubt upon God,
Doubt in His love for us;
And the murmuring soul he will tempt to ask—
"Why must I suffer thus?"
And pleasure and power will seem so near,
If we but kneel to him—
O God, keep from us the Tempter far,
When faith is burning dim!
XXI.
O Christ, who hast known the Tempter's strength,
Bend from Thy throne of light;
Aid in the terrible strife with Hell,
Aid with Thy power and might.
Teach us to fight as Thou hast fought;
To conquer as Thou hast done;
That angels may bring from the starry skies
The plan for the conquering one.
XXII.
For never yet was the Tempter foiled
By the might of Jehovah's name,
But holy joys in the sufferer's heart,
Like blessed angels came.
And the terrible strife, and the desert drear,
Will pass like earthly things;
But the soul that has conquered will rest in peace,
'Neath angels' shadowing wings.
VANITAS
THE glory of Life is fleeting;
Its splendour passeth away,
With tints and odours meeting
The flowers we twined to-day.