These, the temple's sure foundations,
These are they that bind the nations
Into God's great house above:
These the city's pearly portal,
Knitting faith with work immortal,
Jew and Gentile into love.
These are they that evermore
Winnow in the threshing floor,
And from the chaff the wheat divide:
These are they that came to be
Oxen of the brazen sea
That Solomon had edified.
Patriarchs twelve in order meetest:
Twelvefold founts of water sweetest:
Shewbreads of the temple rite:
Gems that deck the priestly vestment;
Thus they gain their true attestment
As the people's chiefs in fight.
Let their prayer preserve from error,
Add to faith, and quench the terror
Of the woe of final doom:
So that, freed from all transgression,
We may enter on possession
Of the happiness to come. Amen.
