Scarce discerning aught before us,
On our weary way we go;
But one guiding Star is o’er us,
Beaming forth the way to show.

Watch we, pray we, let us sink not
Journeying on while yet we can;
At a moment when we think not
Shall we meet the Son of Man.

See! e’en now the east is brightening;
See! the cloud of gloom is riven;
See! a flash more swift than lightning
Gleaming all athwart the Hea­ven.

Christ hath come—oh, joy and wonder!
Clothed in majesty sublime,
Glorious as the Son of Thunder
Saw Him in the olden time.

Hark, the trumpets’ note is pealing;
All the dead it summoneth,
Endless life to some revealing,
But to some—the second death.

Lo! a form from earth ariseth,
Pure and lovely, who is she?
She it is whom Je­su prizeth,
’Tis the Church, whose spouse is He.

See the robes of dazzling brightness
That adorn the glo­ri­ous bride;
God hath clothed her in the whiteness
Of the saints all purified.

Hark! she hails Him: Thou that savest,
Thy sal­va­tion draweth nigh;
With the children that Thou gavest,
Jesu, Bridegroom, here am I.

White robed bands of His redeemèd
Stand around her by the throne;
Sorrowful on earth they seemèd,
Now their great reward is shown:

For with joy how passing fervent
Each doth hear the gracious voice—
Come, thou good and faithful servant,
Come, and ev­er­more rejoice.