Henry Alford

Sonnet XLII. "Saviour and Lord beloved, what homage new"

Saviour and Lord beloved, what homage new Shall thy Church give thee in these latter days, When there is nothing new; no song of praise That ages have not sung, nor worship due That hath not long been paid? Faithful and true Our hearts are beating to thee: can we raise No monument for victories of grace? Must all our efforts be so poor and few? O vain and earthly wish, that would be great In over--serving! rather may we lie In meekest self--devotion at thy feet, And watch the quiet hours as they pass by, Content and thankful for occasion shown To make old service and old faith our own.