The Foe

My foe did strike me, Lord, I am not meek,I cannot turn to him the other cheek,Rather to Thee for vengeance do I cry,Tooth for a tooth, dear Lord, eye for an eye.

Had he but felled me, giving blow for blow,My rage had little flame, my hate were slow,I could forgive stood he to me alone,But through those dearer souls he reached my own.

Oh, brave heads slain, grey locked and darkly brown,I saw you bleed beneath the martyr's crown,Dear eyes that closed on unfulfilled desire,I saw you robbed of your celestial fire.

Pale lips that cried one prayer in parting breath,I knew you dumb in silence and in death.My foe hath struck me, Lord, I am not meek,I cannot turn to him the other cheek.