Fidelity

CHARLES WRIGHT

Howe'er the adversary tries,
By varied guile,
To urge me with persuasive lies,
With frown or smile,
The eternal Truth shall be my shield;
Thus guarded I can never yield.

Although the importunate thrust of pain
By night or day,
Tempt me to think my trust is vain,
I will not stray,
But rest in God's unclouded joy,
And error's baseless claim destroy.

And if the subtle foe devise
Some pleasing snare,
And in its most seductive guise,
Sin should appear,—
Although it come an angel dressed,
I will not house the baneful guest.

Thus single in its aim shall faith
Its course preserve,
And not e'en death's imperious wraith
Shall make it swerve;
For Truth will vanquish every foe,
And death's false sovereignty o'erthrow.