ON HIS RETURN.
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Therefore from our household train
Oft shall spring
Unto Thee a blessing strain,
God our King!
Thou to his lone watching wife
Hast brought back the light of life!
Thou hast spared his loving child
Home to greet him from the wild.
Though the suns of eastern skies
On his cheek have set their dyes,
Though long toils and sleepless cares
On his brow have blanched the hairs,
Yet the night of fear is flown,
He is living, and our own!—
Brethren! spread his festal board,
Hang his mantle and his sword
With the armour on the wall—
While this long, long silent hall
