The seed must die, before the corn appears
Out of the ground, in blade and fruitful ears.
Low must those ears by sickle’s edge be lain,
Ere thou canst treasure up the golden grain.
The grain is crushed, before the bread is made,
And the bread broke, ere life to man conveyed.
Oh! be content to die, to be laid low,
And to be crushed, and to be broken so;
If thou upon God’s table may’st be bread,
Life-giving food for souls an-hungerèd.