1 Christian, dost thou see them
on the holy ground,
how the troops of Midian
prowl and prowl around?
Christian, up and smite them,
counting gain but loss:
smite them by the merit
of the holy cross.

2 Christian, dost thou feel them,
how they work within,
striving, tempting, luring,
goading into sin?
Christian, never tremble;
never be down-cast;
smite them by the virtue
of the Lenten fast.

3 Christian, dost thou hear them,
how they speak thee fair?
'Always fast and vigil?
Always watch and prayer?'
Christian, answer boldly,
'While I breath, I pray:'
peace shall follow battle,
night shall end in day.

4 'Well I know thy trouble,
O my servant true;
thou art very weary,
I was weary too;
but that toil shall make thee
some day all mine own,
and the end of sorrow
shall be near my throne.'