Poem by William Cowper

Joy in Martyrdom

Sweet tenants of this grove!
Who sing without design,
A song of artless love,
In unison with mine:
These echoing shades return
Full many a note of ours,
That wise ones cannot learn,
With all their boasted powers.

O thou! whose sacred charms
These hearts so seldom love,
Although thy beauty warms
And blesses all above;
How slow are human things,
To choose their happiest lot!
All–glorious King of kings,
Say why we love thee not?

This heart, that cannot rest,
Shall thine for ever prove;
Though bleeding and distressed,
Yet joyful in thy love:
'Tis happy though it breaks
Beneath thy chastening hand;
And speechless, yet it speaks,
What thou canst understand. 

1. Olney Hymn 28. Jesus Hasting to Suffer
2. Olney Hymn 4. Jehovah-Nissi. The Lord My Banner
3. Olney Hymn 32. The Shining Light
4. The Jackdaw
5. The Symptoms of Love

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