Hymn V.

Awake, my soul! Lift up thine eyes,

See where thy foes against thee rise

In long array, a numerous host;

Awake, my soul, or thou art lost.

Here giant danger threat’ning stands

Mustering his pale terrific bands;

There pleasure’s silken banners spread,

And willing souls are captive led.

See where rebellious passions rage,

And fierce desires and lusts engage;

The meanest foe of all the train

Has thousands and ten thousands slain.

Thou tread’st upon enchanted ground,

Perils and snares beset thee round;

Beware of all, guard every part,

But most, the traitor in thy heart.

‘Come then, my soul, now learn to wield

‘The weight of thine immortal shield;’

Put on the armour from above

Of heavenly truth and heavenly love.

The terror and the charm repel,

And powers of earth, and powers of hell;

The Man of Calvary triumph’d here;

Why should his faithful followers fear?

Text: Poems by Anna Laetitia Barbauld. New Ed. (London: Printed for Joseph Johnson, St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1792), pp. 123-24.