Forward, champion, in thy quarrel!
Certain of a certain laurel,
Holy Stephen, persevere!
Perjur'd witnesses confounding,
Satan's Synagogue astounding
By thy doctrine true and clear.
Lo! in Heaven thy Witness liveth:
Bright and faithful proof He giveth
Of His Martyr's blamelessness:
Thou by name a Crown impliest;
Meetly then in pangs thou diest
For the Crown of Righteousness!
For a crown that fadeth never,
Bear the torturer's brief endeavour;
Victory waits to end the strife:
Death shall be thy birth's beginning,
And life's losing be the winning
Of the true and better Life.
Whom the Holy Ghost endueth,
Whom celestial sight embueth,
Stephen penetrates the skies;
There Good's fullest glory viewing,
There his victor strength renewing,
For his near reward he sighs.
