Hymn at Cock-Crow

Awake! the shining day is born!The herald cock proclaims the morn:And Christ, the soul's Awakener, cries,Bidding us back to life arise.

Away the sluggard's bed! awayThe slumber of the soul's decay!Ye chaste and just and temperate,Watch! I am standing at the gate.

After the sun hath risen red'Tis late for men to scorn their bed,Unless a portion of the nightThey seize for labours of the light.

Mark ye, what time the dawn draws nigh,How 'neath the eaves the swallows cry?Know that by true similitudeTheir notes our Judge's voice prelude.

When hid by shades of dark malignOn beds of softness we recline,They call us forth with music clearWarning us that the day is near.

When breezes bright of orient mornWith rosy hues the heavens adorn,They cheer with hope of gladdening lightThe hearts that spend in toil their might.

Though sleep be but a passing guest'Tis type of death's perpetual rest:Our sins are as a ghastly night,And seal with slumbers deep our sight.

But from the wide roof of the skyChrist's voice peals forth with urgent cry,Calling our sleep-bound hearts to riseAnd greet the dawn with wakeful eyes.

He bids us fear lest sensual easeUnto life's end the spirit seizeAnd in the tomb of shame us bind,Till we are to the true light blind.

'Tis said that baleful spirits roamAbroad beneath the dark's vast dome;But, when the cock crows, take their flightSudden dispersed in sore affright.

For the foul votaries of the nightAbhor the coming of the light,And shamed before salvation's graceThe hosts of darkness hide their face.

They know the cock doth prophesyOf Hope's long-promised morning sky,When comes the Majesty DivineUpon awakened worlds to shine.

The Lord to Peter once foretoldWhat meaning that shrill strain should hold,How he before cock-crow would lieAnd thrice his Master dear deny.

For 'tis a law that sin is doneBefore the herald of the sunTo humankind the dawn proclaimsAnd with his cry the sinner shames.

Then wept he bitter tears aghastThat from his lips the words had passed,Though guileless he his soul possessedAnd faith still reigned within his breast.

Nor ever reckless word he saidThereafter, by his tongue betrayed,But at the cock's familiar cryHumbled he turned from vanity.

Therefore it is we hold to-dayThat, as the world in stillness lay,What hour the cock doth greet the skies,Christ from deep Hades did arise.

Lo! then the bands of death were burst,Shattered the sway of hell accurst:Then did the Day's superior mightSwiftly dispel the hosts of Night.

Now let base deeds to silence fall,Black thoughts be stilled beyond recall:Now let sin's opiate spell retireTo that deep sleep it doth inspire.

For all the hours that still remainUntil the dark his goal attain,Alert for duty's stern commandLet every soul a sentry stand.

With sober prayer on Jesus call;Let tears with our strong crying fall;Sleep cannot on the pure soul stealThat supplicates with fervent zeal.

Too long did dull oblivion cloudOur motions and our senses shroud:Lulled by her numbing touch, we strayIn dreamland's ineffectual way.

Bound by the dazzling world's soft chain'Tis false and fleeting gauds we gain,Like those who in deep slumbers lie:--Let us awake! the truth is nigh.

Gold, honours, pleasure, wealth and ease,And all the joys that mortals please,Joys with a fatal glamour fraught--When morning comes, lo! all are nought.

But thou, O Christ, put sleep to flightAnd break the iron bands of night,Free us from burden of past sinAnd shed Thy morning rays within.