Shall I, for fear of feeble man
1
Shall I, for fear of feeble man,The Spirit's course in me restrain?Or, undismayed in deed and word,Be a true witness of my Lord?
2
Awed by a mortal's frown, shall IConceal the word of God most high?How then before thee shall I dareTo stand, or how thine anger bear?
3
Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng,Soften thy truth, or smooth my tongueTo gain earth's gilded toys, or fleeThe cross endured, my Lord, by thee?
4
What, then, is he whose scorn I dread?Whose wrath or hate makes me afraid?A man! an heir of death! a slaveTo sin! a bubble on the wave!
5
Yes, let men rage; since thou wilt spreadThy shadowing wings around my head;Since in all pain thy tender loveWill still my sure refreshment prove.