CCCXLIX. For a time of general sickness

1 Death with his dread commission seal'd,
Now hastens to his arms:
In awful state he takes the field,
And sounds his dire alarms.

2 Attendant plagues around him stand,
And wait his dread command;
And pains, and dying groans obey
The signal of his hand.

3 With cruel force, he scatters round
His shafts of deadly pow'r;
While the grave waits its destin'd prey,
Impatient to devour.

4 Look up, ye heirs of endless joy,
Nor let your fears prevail;
Eternal life is our reward,
When life on earth shall fail.

5 What though his darts promiscous hurl'd,
Deal fatal plagues around;
And heaps of putrid carcases
O'erload the cumber'd ground;

6 The arrows, that shall wound your flesh,
Were giv'n him from above,
Dipt in the great Redeemer's blood,
And feather'd all with love.

7 These, with a gentle hand he throws,
And saints lie gasping too;
But heav'nly strength supports their souls,
And bears them conqu'rors through.

Text Information
First Line: Death with his dread commission seal'd
Title: For a time of general sickness
Meter: C. M.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1799
Topic: Sickness: General
Tune Information
(No tune information)



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