tr., John Brownlie

I

The Bridegroom comes! My soul, awake,

And slumber from thine eyelids shake;

Hark! in the midnight hour the cry;

Bestir, my soul, for He is nigh.

II

Now trim your lamp, and let its light

Illume the darkness of the night;

And with the tarrying host attend

The Bridegroom, as the Bridegroom's friend.

III

Hast thou no oil? O foolish soul!

Why didst thou not the hours control?

Why in the darkness slumber still,

Without the oil your lamp to fill?

IV

Go, get your oil, -- but no, too late!

The Bridegroom's come, and closed the gate; --

"O let me knock, for He is kind,

And will not leave my soul behind."

V

"O let me in, my lamp's aglow;

How could I, Lord, Thy coming know?

'Twas night, I slumbered, -- let me in:

Forgive, O Lord, forgive my sin."

VI

Too late! The time has gone apace;

Too late, 'tis gone, the hour of grace;

O soul of mine, awake, awake,

And slumber from thine eyelids shake.