For Ever We Would Gaze on Thee

For ev­er we would gaze on Thee

O Lord

up­on the Mount;

With Mos­es and Eli­as see

That light from light’s own fount;

For ev­er with the chos­en three

Would stand up­on that height

And in that bless­èd com­pa­ny

Be plunged in pure de­light.

For ev­er would we train the ear

To that ce­les­tial Voice;

In Thee

the Son of God

so near

For ev­er­more re­joice.

Here would we pitch our con­stant tent

For ev­er here abide;

And dwell in peace and full con­tent

Dear Mas­ter

at Thy side.

But no! not yet to man ’tis giv­en

To rest up­on that height;

’Tis but a pass­ing glimpse of Heav’n;

We must des­cend and fight.

Beneath the mount is toil and pain;

O Christ

Thy strength im­part;

Till we

trans­fig­ured

too

shall reign

For ev­er where Thou art.