49. Hymn: Zeal And Patience

Zeal And Patience

Author: John H. Newman

1. O COMRADE bold of toil and pain!     

    Thy trial how severe, 

    When sever'd first by prisoner's chain     

    From thy loved labour-sphere!  

2. Say, did impatience first impel     

    The heaven-sent bond to break? 

    Or, couldst thou bear its hindrance well,     

    Loitering for Jesu's sake?  

3. Oh, might we know! for sore we feel     

    The languor of delay, 

    When sickness lets our fainter zeal,     

    Or foes block up our way. 

4. Lord! who Thy thousand years dost wait     

    To work the thousandth part 

    Of Thy vast plan, for us create     

    With zeal a patient heart.