1 Honor and happiness unite
To make the Christian's name a praise:
How fair the scene, how clear the light,
That fills the remnant of his days!
2 A kingly character he bears,
No change his priestly office knows;
Unfading is the crown he wears,
His joys can never reach a close.
3 Adorned with glory from on high,
Salvation shines upon his face;
His robe is of the ethereal dye,
His steps are dignity and grace.
4 Inferior honors he disdains,
Nor stoops to take applause from earth;
The King of kings himself maintains
Th' expenses of his heavenly birth.
5 The noblest creatures seen below,
Ordained to fill a throne above;
God gives him all he can bestow,
His kingdom of eternal love!
6 My soul is ravished at the thought,
Methinks from earth I see him rise;
Angels congratulate his lot,
And shout him welcome to the skies.
A Selection of Hymns, from Various Authors, Supplementary for the use of Christians. 1st Ed., 1816
William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >
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