1 Forty days and forty nights
you were fasting in the wild;
forty days and forty nights
tempted, and yet undefiled.

2 Sunbeams scorching all the day,
chilly dewdrops nightly shed;
prowling beasts about our way;
stones your pillow, earth your bed.

3 Shall not we your trial share,
and from earthly joys abstain,
fasting with unceasing prayer,
strong with you to suffer pain?

4 If temptations, vexing sore,
flesh or spirit should assail,
you their vanquisher before,
grant we may not faint nor fail.

5 Keep, oh keep us, Saviour dear,
ever constant by your side;
that with you we may appear
at the eternal Eastertide.