Poems (Toke)/The ascension day

by Emma Toke

THE ASCENSION DAY.

HOU hast gone up on high!
 Triumphant o'er the grave,
And captive led captivity,
 Thy ransomed ones to save.
Thou hast gone up on high!
 Oh! help us to ascend,
And there with Thee continually,
 In heart and spirit blend.

Thou art gone up on high!
 To mansions in the skies,
And round Thy throne unceasingly
 The songs of praise arise.
But we are lingering here,
 With sin and care oppressed;
Oh! let the Comforter be near,
 To lead us to our rest.

Thou art gone up on high!
 But Thou didst first come down,
Through earth's most bitter agony,
 To pass unto Thy crown.
And girt with griefs and fears
 Our onward course must be,
But only let that path of tears
 Lead us at last to Thee.

Thou art gone up on high!
 But Thou shalt come again,
With all the bright ones of the sky,
 Attendant on Thy train.
Oh! by Thy saving power,
 So make us live and die,
That we may stand, in that dread hour,
 At Thy right hand on high!