1 What sweet of life endureth
Unmixed with bitter pain?
’Midst earthly change and chances
What glory doth remain?

2 All is a feeble shadow,
A dream that will not stay;
Death cometh in a moment,
And taketh all away.

3 O Christ, a light transcendent
Shines in thy countenance,
And none can tell the sweetness,
The beauty of thy glance.

4 In this may thy poor servants
His joy eternal find;
Thou calledst them, O rest them,
Thou lover of mankind!